Chief Minister to Inaugurate 2025 International Maha Shivaratri Festival in Mandi, Unveil Development Projects Worth Crores.
Shimla:
The much-awaited Chhoti Kashi International Maha Shivaratri Festival-2025 will officially begin on February 27, with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu set to inaugurate the seven-day event. The festival, renowned both nationally and internationally, will take place in Mandi from February 27 to March 5, 2025, offering a blend of spiritual celebrations, cultural performances, and development initiatives.
Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the Chhoti Kashi International Maha Shivaratri Festival Committee, Apoorv Devgan, shared details of the event’s grand opening. On the occasion, the Chief Minister will first visit the temple of Mandi’s patron deity, Raj Devta Madhorai, to offer prayers. Following this, he will join the grand Jaleb procession, which will start from Madhorai Temple and proceed to Paddal Mela Ground. The procession will feature hundreds of local deities, including Kardar, Devalu, and other community representatives, along with numerous visitors who have gathered to celebrate the festival.
At Paddal Mela Ground, the Chief Minister will officially inaugurate the festival’s opening ceremony. In addition to this, he will inaugurate several exhibitions set up by various state departments, showcasing the government’s welfare and development schemes. As part of the Maha Shivaratri celebrations, the Chief Minister will also lay the foundation stones and inaugurate development projects worth crores, aimed at enhancing the infrastructure and public services for the residents of Mandi district.
Before the main event, the Chief Minister will also visit the Shivratri Dham at the Bhimakali Temple, specially set up for Devalus and Kardars. On the evening of February 27, the Chief Minister will be attending the cultural evening at the Serai Stage, where cultural programs for the Maha Shivaratri Festival will be officially launched. The following day, February 28, he will return to Shimla in the morning.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that all preparations for the successful organization of this grand seven-day festival, dedicated to Lord Shiva, have been completed. Special arrangements have been made to decorate prominent temples such as Raj Dev Madhorai, Baba Bhootnath, and Panchvaktar Mahadev, as well as the entire city, with colorful lights. Security arrangements have also been strengthened to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the event.
Devotees and locals have been urged to actively participate in the festival and continue supporting the Shivaratri Committee and district administration in their efforts to make the event a success. The festival not only celebrates the religious fervor of the region but also highlights the significant development initiatives being undertaken by the state government.
