Mandi to Celebrate 500 Years with Grand International Shivratri Festival 2026.
Shimla:
The International Shivratri Festival–2026 in Mandi district is set to be organised on a historic and grand scale as the town completes 500 years since its establishment. In view of this milestone, a series of major decisions were taken to elevate the festival’s scale and significance during a general body meeting held on Tuesday.
The meeting was chaired by Dharampur MLA and General Body President Chandrashekhar at Sanskriti Sadan, Kangnadhar. It was announced that the three traditional Jaleb processions of the Shivratri Festival will be held on February 16, February 19 and February 22, 2026, with the final procession marking the conclusion of the celebrations.
Presiding over the meeting, Chandrashekhar said the festival would be organised with enhanced grandeur and dignity to honour Mandi’s 500-year-old cultural and historical legacy. To mark the occasion, 10 key locations across the city will be identified and showcased to reflect the town’s historical journey, enabling residents and devotees to experience the significance of the milestone.
Detailed discussions were held on arrangements for the stay and hospitality of deities, cultural and sports programmes, cleanliness and traffic management, art and literature events, publication of a commemorative souvenir, and mobilisation of financial resources. Chandrashekhar urged all stakeholders to work collectively to ensure the success of the festival.
It was decided that all major events of the Shivratri Festival will carry a strong anti-drug (Anti-Chitta) message. The Vyas Aarti, introduced last year, will continue this year as well. Anganwadi workers and ASHA workers will be actively involved in spreading awareness against drug abuse during the festival.
In the sports segment, various competitions will be organised as in previous years. A cricket league will be held in January 2026 with participation from 32 teams, featuring 31 league matches. Priority will be given to players from Mandi district to encourage local sporting talent.
For cultural evenings, the organisers resolved to invite only Himachali artists, with the objective of promoting local talent, particularly in light of the recent challenges faced by the state. However, international artists will continue to be part of the festival. All cultural programmes will be staged at the Seri Stage.
The meeting also deliberated on arrangements for accommodating the deities during the festival. Suggestions included providing space along the stairways from Chanani to the Sports Department office at Paddal Ground, utilising the roof of Indira Market, and setting up temporary pagoda-style tents as proposed by the Sarv Devta Committee and Kardar Sangh. The chair clarified that a final decision would be taken after on-site inspections and consultations, ensuring due respect and honour for all deities.
To maintain cleanliness during the festival, additional sanitation measures will be implemented. Extra garbage collection vehicles will be deployed, dustbins will be installed at multiple locations, and sanitation workers delivering exceptional service will be rewarded with cash prizes of Rs. 7,100, Rs. 5,100 and Rs. 3,100.
Ahead of the festival, the Municipal Corporation will undertake repairs of city roads, while the Public Works Department will carry out bearing work from Malori Tunnel to Pul Gharat to ensure smooth traffic movement.
