Global InformationMandi Shivaratri Fair information
| Mandi Shivaratri Fair | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of deities | |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Significance | Shivaratri Puja |
| Observances | About 200 deities gather for the fair |
| Date | February/March |
| Related to | Worship of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva |
Mandi Shivaratri Fair is an annual renowned international fair that is held for 7 days starting with the Hindu festival of Shivaratri, in the Mandi town (31°43′N 76°55′E / 31.72°N 76.92°E) of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
The Mandi Shivaratri fair is held as per Hindu calendar every year on the Krishna paksha 13th day/13th night (breaking fast/'vrata' on 14th after sunrise) of the waning moon in the month of Phalguna that corresponds to February/March as per Gregorian calendar.[1] The festival’s popularity is widespread and hence is known as an international festival. In view of the large number of gods and goddesses that are invited to the festival from its 81 temples, Mandi town has the title of 'Varanasi of the Hills'.[2][3] During 2016, the festival will be celebrated from 7 March (Shivaratri day) for seven days till 14 March 2016.[4][5]
The Mandi festival or fair is particularly famous as the special fair transforms Mandi town into a venue of grand celebration when all gods and goddesses, said to be more than 200 deities of the Mandi district assemble here, starting with the day of Shivaratri. Mandi town located on the banks of the Beas River, popularly known as the "cathedral of temples", is one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh with about 81 temples of different gods and goddesses in its periphery. There are several legends linked to the celebration of this event. The festival is centred on the protector deity of Mandi "Mado Rai" (Lord Vishnu) and Lord Shiva of the Bhootnath temple in Mandi.[1][3][6]
- ^ a b "History Of Mandi". National Informatics Centre. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ^ Sharma, L.R (2005). Quality of life in the Himalayan region. Indus Publishing. p. 72. ISBN 81-7387-173-6. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ^ a b "The International Festival". Archived from the original on 1 April 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ^ "Mandi". Himachal Tourism, Government of Himachal Pradesh. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ^ "The Mysticism of Mandi's Mahashivratri". Himavani: A voice of Himachal Citizen initiative. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ^ "Mandi -The Seventh Heaven". 10 April 2011. Archived from the original on 10 April 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2010.