Monday 19 March 2012

Mandi as " Chhoti Kashi " and " Varanasi of Hills " , Himachal Pradesh

Mandi ( H. P. ) , previously known as Mandav Nagar named after Mandvay rishi (Sage) is also popularly known as " Chhoti Kashi " and " Varanasi Of Hills " . But why? because Mandi has more than 300 old and new temples. Because of the large number of temples and its location along River Beas and Suketi khad , Mandi is also known as 'Chhoti (Small) Kashi' and ' Varanasi of hills '.
                  Mandi was a princely state and now Mandi is a fast developing town that still has much of its original culture , character and charm. Today, it is one of the district headquarters of Himachal Pradesh . In Mandi , there are about 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving. there are lot of remains of old palaces and notable examples of 'colonial' architecture. The temples of Bhoothnath, Trilokinath, Panchvaktra and Shyamakali are among the more famous ones. 
                                    The week long international Shivratri fair in Mandi is the major attraction of the area every year. In the year 2012 the fair was celebrated from 21st to 27th February. In the fair the activities like cultural programmes in the evenings, exhibitions, sports etc. attracts the tourists as well as locals.
                                               Most of the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Goddess Kali. There are many classical temples which the Archaeological Survey of India has declared 'protected monuments' due to their historical significance.


 Some of These are :

Panchvaktra Mahadev Temple: 
Panchvaktra Mahadev Temple
This temple is a protected monument and is located near Beas river .



Trilokinath Temple Mandi  :




Trilokinath Mandir ,Mandi Himachal Pradesh 


This temple is made in 1520 A.D. by Queen Sultana Devi , wife of King of Mandi Ajber Sen .





Wall sculptures  , Trilokinath temple ,Mandi 


Other important Shiv temple in Mandi is Boothnath temple , which is situated in very crowdy area , Bhoothnath mohalla


Bhoothnath temple , Mandi







There are also a lot of Shiv temple in Mandi , I have photographed some of them , you can see
Full Gallery of Shiv temples in Mandi , which I have photographed , 

Lord Shiva in Mahamritunjay temple , Mandi




    Shri sidh Shiv shambhu , Mandi                                                                                                                                      Shiv Rudra Mandir , Mandi                                                                        
Beside a lot of Lord Shiva's temples , there are also many temples that are of great importance , Some of these are as :



Bhimakali Temple : Situated near Bhiuli , Mandi near river Beas , this temple is one of the main attraction in Mandi due to it's different  architect . 



Bheema Kali Temple , Mandi

The Gurudwara at Mandi :

Mandi has an historical Gurudwara in honour of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, who spent some time in Mandi. The people and the ruler welcomed him with great warmth and supported the Guru in his war against the tyrannical rule of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb; it is said that the city has the Guru's blessings. The Gurdwara is also unofficially referred to as Gurudwara Palang Sahab, because the Guru's Bed 'Palang' is still preserved here.(Source : Wikipedia)


Sikh Gurudwara in Mandi , Himachal Pradesh


There ara also many temples like Tarna Mata mandir also called Shyama Kali temple, Vishvkarma temple etc.
The environment in Mandi is thus very Divine and religious . 
Mandi town , Himachal Pradesh 

                             2. Some photos of Mandi town and temples in Mandi
                             3. Shivratri Fair in Mandi 2012

More information : Wikipedia link
                                                                         H.P. tourism official website
                                                                        

Thursday 1 March 2012

Shivratri fair in Mandi 2012 , Himachal Pradesh tourism

Lord Madhav Rao (lord Krishna ) taking part in Shivratri Jaleb
From Deities(devta aur devi) present in Shivratri Fair , Mandi 2012
This year Shivratri fair in Mandi , H.P. started on Feb. 21 and ended on Feb. 27 officially .
 The fair started after the first jaleb ( a type of carnival ) in which the king of all deities of Mandi District , Lord Madhav Rao( lord Krishna) and other important deities of Mandi district including a lot of peoples take part in it . This year chief guest of first day of fair ., Prof . Prem Kumar Dhumal , Hon. Chief minister of Himachal Pradesh also took part in the Jaleb and first cultural night.


Full gallery : Deities(devta aur devi) present in Shivratri Fair , Mandi 2012
                           Shivratri Fair , Mandi 2012



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Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal taking prt in Shivratri Jaleb



The chief deity of Mandi district Dev Kamrunag was stayed at Tarna Mandir , Mandi

Dev Kamrunag In Tarna Mandir during Shivratri Fair 2012


                                                        A large number of deities of Mandi district were come to the fair and I and my friend photographed them almost all who were present that time. The devtas and devies(deities) meet each other and danced with joy . Junior deities takes blessings of senior ones and all deities go to meet  Lord Madhav Rao . Thus environment there were totally divine . I have uploaded some videos of meeting deities and dancing . You will be surprised to know deities meet , dance and move on there will . If they are angry then they become so heavy that no one can lift them and only move when something done to pacify them . I know you all will not trust me but this is true and I am the one that have seen that thing myself.


Shivratri fair Mandi 2012
                         The main attraction of the shivratri fair , 2012 were to be Saras mela where a lot of hand made products by villagers and ayurvedic and natural products were sold . Reports shows good response to it. Beside that other exhibitions by the Govt.. like agriculture , solar energy , floriculture , horticultural products, and exhibition by M.S.M.E. of Minister Virbhadra Singh are of great attraction .


Malana art gallery , Shivratri Fair Mandi 2012
I would like to say that in all these exhibition i like most the Malana art gallery ., where a lot of hand made wooden model buildings of old architect of Himachal Pradesh were shown . It had gained very good response and I always see a lot of people around the gallery seeing and buying the models.

Shivratri fair mandi 2012


                              In other attractions a lot of fairy wheels and Columbus boats.and mickey houses are of great attractions.  Not only children but also adults also enjoyed them .
       In the food section Siddu remained on the top . Siddu is the local food of Himachal Pradesh specially Kullu district and in recent years it gained a lot of positive reviews among the people. It leaved behind other junk foods like kachori ,samosa , noodels , chowmin etc. and this is a good thing and beside being tasty it is also good for health , no oil used in making it.

Master Salim in cultural nightin Mandi shivratri fair

               In cultural nights the main attractions were Jazzy B , Master Salim , Pahari night and Kunal Ganjawala . I liked most The master salim show " humka peeni hai and tu badli sau bar guy" . This guy have a lot of energy and tactics to make you entertain .

 



I also liked Pahari night and Jazzy b show but I could not see Kunal Ganjawale show due to some urgent work. But heard that show was good and "chana ve ghar aa ja ve " was fabulous . Minister Virbhadra singh also took part in third cultural night of shivratri fair.



Mr. Virbhdra Singh in Shivratri cultural night


                                  I am very passive to the shopping in fairs because I think that in fairs you do not get quality material . But surprised to see that there a lot of good products in the fair and prices are lower than market. So I did some shopping but my sister had done a lot of shopping .

Ending my post I just want to say that I enjoyed the fair very much and will wait to next year's fair( if earth will not destroy on Dec. 2012) very eagerly .

Full gallery : Deities(devta aur devi) present in Shivratri Fair , Mandi 2012
                      Shivratri Fair , Mandi 2012

More info : Wikipedia
                     Blogger

 Some Videos :

 Kailash Kher 's video is of previous year.

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