Mandi Shivratri

Mandi Shivaratri
 27th February to 03rd March
 “EXPLORE THE CULTURE OF HIMALAYA”

Mandi town Situated in Himachal Pradesh on the bank of Beas River. Mandi is 145 Kms from State capital Shimla. Town is referred as the “Kashi of hills”. The name “mandi” (and the former name “Mandav Nagar”) has its roots from Great Sage Rishi ‘Mandav’ who prayed in this area, the name may have been derived from the common word mandi which means “market” in Hindi. It may possibly be connected with the Sanskrit root mandaptika, meaning “an open hall or shed,” Mandi is famous for the International Shivaratri Fair. This is seven day long fair. It is believed that this fair is started by Former ruler of Mandi Ishwari Sen. Ishawri Sen was held a prisoner for 12 years after he lost his kingdom in the war waged by Sansar Chand of Punjab, in 1792. He was released by the Gurkha invaders who had invaded the Kangra and Mandi states. Afterwards, the Gurkhas’ restored the Mandi state to Ishwari Sen. He was given a reception on the occasion of his return to Mandi, his state capital. On this occasion, the King invited all hill deities of the Kingdom and held a grand celebration, and this day happened to be the Shivratri festival day. Since then the practice of holding the Mandi fair during Shivaratri has been observed every year at Mandi.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

  • Day 01 – Reach at Mandi town
  • Day 02 – The Festival starts by Arriving The Kamru Nag
  • Day 03 – Witness the biggest festival of Mandi
  • Day 04 – Drive up to Rewalsar Lake and Monastery and Stay
  • Day 05 – Rewalsar to Chandigarh

History and Culture
The observance of the fair is marked on the Shivaratri day when the village gods are carried in palanquins or rathas (chariots by people) to Mandi to pay homage to Madho Rai (Lord Vishnu). Locals carry their gods and goddesses by palanquins or on their back.
It is an accepted practice that every deity that is brought to the festival (decorated with glittering embroidered drapery) visits Madho Rai temple first to pay obeisance to Lord Vishnu and then proceed to the palace in a colourful procession called the Shoba Yatra, known locally as ‘Jaleb’ .It is said that Madho Rai comes out of his temple only once a year on the Shivaratri day and leads the procession.
The ruler thereafter pay obeisance to Lord Shiva at the Bhootnath temple where the main festival of Shivaratri is held. The palanquins of the deities are swayed to the drum beats and folk music to indicate their happiness after visiting the temples of Vishnu and Shiva.

Instrument
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.

ITINERARY


DAY 01: Chandigarh to Mandi
| 198 kms | 6-8 hrs | 760mts |
As Mahashivratri is celebrated extensively in Himachal Pradesh lets celebrate the auspicious occasion together. We will start our journey from Chandigarh the drive of around 07 hours in the lower hills will take us to Mandi town.

  • Check in to the hotel upon arrival, we reach a day prior from the Mahashivratri fair starts.
  • Sit together for evening tea and snacks and know more about the festival from the local.
  • Since the day was more in travelling have a relaxing night.

DAY 02: Mandi (The Festival Starts)
| 760mts |
This international festival starts with the arrival Kamru Nag in Planquine or Rathas at the venue. There is like a Huge rally of people who walks along with the Deity Kamru nag and inaugrates the fair. We shall walk\ drive upto the venue to witness the different vibes at the place. Local instruments are played and Deity gives the blessing while walking.

  • The day when the festival begins
  • Will go to the venue after breakfast`
  • Our lunch will be either in the town or try the meal in the fair. Try the Mandiyali Dham and
    there will be food options available
  • The entire town shines like diamond in the night as it will be broadly lit up.
  • Evening to leisure at the hotel

DAY 03:Mandi Mahashivratri and Jaleb (Shobha Yatra)
| 760mts |
The palanquins of the deities are carried to the Bhootnath temple where the main festival of Shivratri is held they are swayed into the drum beats and folk music to indicate their happiness after visiting the temples of Vishnu and Shiva. The people who walks with their Deities in Shoba Yatra they perform the traditional folkdance with the local instrument and they play different beats.

  • Get your cameras ready to capture the biggest Shivratri festival of India.
  • After breakfast at the hotel we visit to the Bhootnath temple to see the meeting of deities.
  • Everyone is like decked up in their traditional dresses and perform the local dance making a
    huge circle.
  • It is like you will witness the vibes of being more then 200 deities at one place. They go into
    trance on the beats of drum and people take the blessings.
  • Shop Souvenirs from the local market and back to the hotel.

    DAY 04: Mandi to Rewalsar
    | 23 kms | 1-2 hrs | 1360mts |
    Rewalsar is a small town or a pilgrimage place in Mandi District of Himachal Pradesh. It is an important religious place for Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhist alike. The natural lake at Rewalsar is famous for its floating reed island and fishes. Legend has it that the great teacher and scholar Padmasambhava used his enormous powers to take fight to Tibet from Rewalsar. It is believed that the floating island at the lake have the spirit of Padmasambhava embodied in it an imposing statue of
    Guru Padmasambhava is also built here. At this place sage Lomas is believed to have performed his penance to appease Lord Shiva. The Gurudwara Shri Rewalsar Sahib is associated with the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji who called upon Pahari rajas to be united in his fight against Mughals. People of all religion comes to Rewalsar to take holy bath on Baisakhi There are 03 Monasteries, 01 Gurudwara and temple of Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva and Sage Lomas alongside the lake

    • Taking all the great experience from the Shivratri festival we will take a short drive to
      Rewalsar.
    • A small town near Mandi has a beautiful lake, Temples, Monasteries and gurudwara.
    • Check out from the hotel as per your convienent time.
    • Check in to the hotel freshen up will take walk up to the lake and do the complete quora.
    • Visit to the Monastery, Gurudwara and Temple.
    • Evening to leisure with storytelling and sharing the experiences of the trip.

    DAY 05: Rewalsar to Chandigarh

    • Last leg of the trip is today when we pack up our bags and take the memories & experiences from these mountains.
    • Check out from the hotel as per your convenient time.

    TRIP SPECS

    Per Head Cost: INR 18,500 /-


    INCLUSIONS

    • Accommodation – Hotel
    • Meal – Breakfast and Dinner
    • Transportation – Chandigarh to Chandigarh
    • All permit and passes.
    • Experienced tour leader from the community
    • Positive Vibes

    EXCLUSIONS

    • Anything which is not mentioned above.
    • Personal expenses.
    • Enjoy yourself with responsibility
    • Do not mix Drinking & Driving
    • Leave nothing but footprints
    • Take nothing but a vivid experience & positive vibes

     CONTACT
     Western Himalaya
     +91 9418653983/8219696922
     Email adds: – [email protected]


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