Minjar Fair

Celebrated on the second Sunday of the Shravana month, which falls in July-
August, Minjar is one of the most popular fairs in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.
The fair is attended by people in huge numbers who visit from across the
country as well as the world.
Minjar is originally celebrated in commemoration of the victory of the King of
Chamba over the ruler of Trigarta, which is now known as Kangra, in 935 AD.
When the king returned victorious after the battle, the people of the Chamba
valley greeted him with bunches of paddy and maize, as a symbol of prosperity
and happiness.

CELEBRATION
The fair is a week-long celebration that begins when the Minjar flag is hoisted
in the Chowgan area of Chamba valley. The fair is announced by the
distribution of a silk tassel called Minjar that is worn over their dresses by men
and women alike. This tassel has designs that refer to the shoots of paddy and
maize. The town of Chamba transforms into a ‘riot of colours’ with everyone
showing up in their best outfits. Sports and cultural programs are organised
during the festival.
On the third Sunday, the fair is at its best, when the colourful Minjar ceremony
of the deities commences in the form of a parade. The ceremony consists of
dancing troupes, and traditional drum players accompanied by locals in their
traditional attires. The parade begins its march from Akhand Chandi Palace and
heads towards the final venue near the Police Lines, Nalhora. It is accompanied
by the police and home guards band.
As the parade reaches the location, huge groups of people are already present
there to receive the congregation. The heir of the monarchy, and now the chief
guest throws a coconut, a rupee, a seasonal fruit, and a Minjar (shoots of corn)
tied in a red piece of cloth, called Lohan, as an offering to the river. This is
followed by all the people throwing their Minjars into the river.
The traditional song, Kumjari-Malhar, is sung by local artists. As a gesture of
respect and festivity, betel leaves and ittra are offered to everyone among the
invitees.
HISTORY
As per the tales, until 1943, during the ceremony, people used to push a
buffalo into the river to propitiate the river gods. If it was carried away and
drowned, the event was regarded as propitious, the sacrifice having been
accepted. If it crossed the river and reached the other bank, that also was
favourable as it was believed that all the sins of the town were transferred to
the other side of the river.

Shoolini Mela
Shoolini Mela Solan, the Mushroom city of India acquires its name from the sacred shrine of Goddess
Shoolini positioned in Solan. The marvellous temple of Shoolini Devi is principally reckoned for the Shoolini
Mela celebrated here in the last week of June every year. Dedicated to the patron Goddess of Solan.
Shoolini Devi, this state level Mela is organized at Solan continues for three consecutive days. The Shoolini
Fair, dated back to 19th century AD is a traditional jubilation solemnized even before the conception of the
present day Solan District. Shoolini Mela, celebrated in the honor of Goddess Shoolini commemorates the
three days visit of the Goddess Shoolini Devi to her elder sister.It is believed that at this time of the year
Goddess Shoolini goes to see her elder sister Goddess Durga at the Mata Durga Temple situated in the
Ganj Bazar of Solan. Shoolini Mela inaugurates with the traditional Pooja of the Goddess Shoolini at her
own temple situated along the Shilli Road. and cultural legacy. An assortment of cultural activities such as
dancing, singing, wrestling and many more comprise this three days celebration at Solan.

HISTORY

It was the time when Lord Vishnu took the form of Lord Narasimha to save his devotee Prahlada. This was
the 4th avatar of Lord Vishnu. Narasimha was half-man and half-lion, having a human-like torso and lower
body, with a lion-like face and claws.

After Narasimha killed the demon Hranyakashyapu, the devas or demigods were unable to calm his fury.
Narasimha started on a spree of destruction, and no one could calm him. On seeing this, Lord Shiva
decided to tame Lord Narasimha.

Thus Lord Shiva took on the incarnated form of Sharabha, Sarabeshwara, to tame Narasimha. This form
was part bird and part lion, and is also called Sharabeshwaramurti.

Goddess Parvati then manifestated as Maa Shoolini and appeared in the right wing of Sharabheswara. She
is black in color - that is why she is called Saloni. She is also holding a weapon called a 'Shool' and so she
is also called 'Shool Dharini' - and is a form of Maa Kali or Maa Durga. She is also known as Shoolini
Durga.

But some minor texts suggest that this was not the end. After Lord Shiva manifestated as Sarabha, Lord
Narasimha got angry and assumed the form of Gandaberunda, a ferocious two-headed-bird-animal to
combat Sharabha. Gandaberuda had two heads, rows of teeth, was black in complexion and had wide
wings. These two beings fought a long time, for which Lord Sarabeshwara released goddess Pratyangira
from one of his wings while goddess Shoolini being the other wing. The Gandabherunda destroyed the
form of Goddess, while Narasimha pacified Shiva.
Maha Shivratri
Maha Shivaratri is an annual festival dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and is particularly important in the
Shaivism tradition of Hinduism. Unlike most Hindu festivals which are celebrated during the day, the Maha
Shivaratri is celebrated at night. Furthermore, unlike most Hindu festivals which include expression of
cultural revelry, the Maha Shivaratri is a solemn event notable for its introspective focus, fasting, meditation
on Shiva, self study, social harmony and an all night vigil at Shiva temples.

CELEBRATION

The celebration includes maintaining a "jaagaran", an all-night vigil and prayers, because Shaiva Hindus
mark this night as "overcoming darkness and ignorance" in one's life and the world through Shiva.
Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk are made to Shiva, some perform all-day fasting with Vedic or
tantric worship of Shiva, and some perform meditative Yoga. In Shiva temples, "Om Namah Shivaya", the
sacred Panchakshari mantra of Shiva, is chanted through the day.Devotees praise Shiva through the
recitation of Shiv Chalisa.

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated over three or ten days based on the Hindu luni-solar calendar.Every lunar
month, there is a Shivaratri (12 per year). The main festival is called Maha Shivaratri, or great Shivaratri,
which is held on the 13th night (waning moon) and the 14th day of the month Phalguna. In the Gregorian
calendar, the day falls in either February or March.

HISTORY OF MAHA SHIVRATRI

Different legends describe the significance of Maha Shivaratri. According to one legend in the Shaivism
tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and
destruction. The chanting of hymns, the reading of Shiva scriptures and the chorus of devotees joins this
cosmic dance and remembers Shiva's presence everywhere. According to another legend, this is the night
when Shiva and Parvati got married.A different legend states the offering to Shiva icons such as the linga is
an annual occasion to get over past sins if any, to restart on a virtuous path and thereby reach Mount
Kailasha and liberation.
SIGNIFICANCE

Different legends describe the significance of Maha Shivaratri. According to one legend in the Shaivism
tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and
destruction.The chanting of hymns, the reading of Shiva scriptures and the chorus of devotees joins this
cosmic dance and remembers Shiva's presence everywhere. According to another legend, this is the night
when Shiva and Parvati got married. A different legend states the offering to Shiva icons such as the linga
is an annual occasion to get over past sins if any, to restart on a virtuous path and thereby reach Mount
Kailasha and liberation.

Kullu Dussehra
Kullu Dussehra is the renowned International Mega Dussehra festival observed in the month of October in
Himachal Pradesh state in northern India. Wherein more than 4-5 lakh(400,000-500,000) people visit the
fair from all across the Globe. It is celebrated in the Dhalpur maidan in the Kullu valley. Dussehra at Kullu
commences on the tenth day of the rising moon, i.e. on 'Vijay Dashmi' day itself and continues for seven
days. Its history dates back to the 17th century when local King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath
on his throne as a mark of penance. After this, god Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the
Valley. The State government has accorded the status of International festival to the Kullu Dussehra, which
attracts tourists in large numbers.

HISTORY OF KULLU DUSSEHRA

In the 16th Century, Raja Jagat Singh ruled over the prosperous and beautiful kingdom of Kullu. As the
ruler, the Raja came to know of a peasant by the name of Durgadatta who apparently possessed many
beautiful pearls. The Raja thought he should have these treasured pearls, even though the only pearls
Durgadatta had were pearls of Knowledge. But the Raja in his greed ordered Durgadatta to hand over his
pearls or be hanged. Knowing of his inevitable fate at the hands of the king, Durgadatta threw himself on
the fire and cursed the king, "Whenever you eat, your rice will appear as worms, and water will appear as
blood". Doomed by his fate, the Raja sought solace and searched out advice from a Brahmin. The Holy
man told him that in order to eradicate the curse, he must retrieve the deity of Ragunath from Ram's
kingdom. Desperate, the king sent a Brahmin to Ayodya. One fine day the Brahmin stole the deity and set
out on his journey back to Kullu. The people of Ayodya, finding their beloved Ragunath missing, set out in
search of the Kullu Brahmin. On the banks of the Saryu river, they approached the Brahmin and asked him
why he had taken Ragunath ji. The Brahmin recounted the story of the Kullu king. The people of Ayodya
attempted to lift Ragunath, but their deity became incredibly heavy when headed back towards Ayodya,
and became very light when headed to Kullu. On reaching Kullu Ragunath was installed as the reigning
deity of the Kullu kingdom. After installing the deity of Ragunath, Raja Jagat Singh drank the Charan-Amrit
of the deity and the curse was lifted. Jagat Singh became Lord Ragunath's regent. This legend is
connected with the Dussehra at Kullu. This deity is taken in a Ratha to the Dussehra.It started in 1606 and
continues till now.