Sacred Rituals and ‘Mini Jaleb’ Procession Herald International Shivratri Festival in Mandi.
Shimla:
The week-long International Shivratri Festival commenced with traditional fervour and elaborate religious ceremonies in the historic town of Mandi on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. Sacred rituals, temple visits, and the customary “Mini Jaleb” procession marked the formal beginning of the grand celebrations rooted deeply in the region’s dev culture.
Deputy Commissioner of Mandi and Chairman of the International Shivratri Festival, Apoorv Devgan, led the inaugural ceremonies. Accompanied by his wife Shweta Devgan and other dignitaries, he participated in the traditional Shivratri Mahayagya held in the courtyard of the revered Madhav Rai Temple.
Continuing the rituals, the Deputy Commissioner paid obeisance at the Shyama Kali Temple and offered prayers to Kamrunag Temple, regarded as the presiding deity of Mandi district, seeking peace, prosperity, and well-being for the residents. He also performed puja and participated in the havan ceremony at the historic Baba Bhootnath Temple, one of the most prominent shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the region.
A key highlight of the day was the traditional “Mini Jaleb” procession, which began at the Madhav Rai Temple and culminated at the Baba Bhootnath Temple. Accompanied by a police contingent, the Home Guards band, and various local deities from across Mandi district, the procession formally extended an invitation to Baba Bhootnath for the International Shivratri Festival. The vibrant procession reflected the district’s centuries-old tradition of honouring and assembling local deities during the festival.
Several dignitaries were present on the occasion, including Mandi Municipal Corporation Mayor Virender Bhatt and councillors, Sarv Devta Samaj Committee President Shiv Pal Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner Gursimar Singh, Additional District Magistrate Dr. Madan Kumar, SDM Rupinder Kaur, along with other officials and local residents.
Extending greetings on Maha Shivratri, DC Devgan invited people to actively participate in the International Shivratri Festival, scheduled from February 16 to February 22. He emphasised that this year’s celebrations are being organised with special focus on preserving and promoting the region’s rich dev traditions and cultural heritage. The festival aims to strengthen public engagement with local deities and sacred customs while fostering deeper cultural awareness among the younger generation.
He further stated that the administration has made dedicated efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of rituals and ceremonies, encouraging widespread public participation to make the festival a spiritually enriching and culturally vibrant event.
On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, temples dedicated to Lord Shiva across the region witnessed a massive influx of devotees. In Mandi, prominent shrines such as Mahamrityunjay Temple and Panchvaktra Mahadev Temple saw continuous footfall throughout the day.
The opening day of the International Shivratri Festival thus unfolded with devotion, tradition, and vibrant participation, setting a spiritually uplifting tone for the days ahead.
