Shivratri Fair in Mandi : Himachal Pradesh Tourism

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Dev Pashakot(God of rain) in Shivratri fair

(For shivratri fair 2012 click here) Mandi Shivaratri Fair  is an international festival which held for 7 days starting with the Hindu festival of Shivaratri, in the Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Mandi Shivaratri fair is held as per Hindu calendar every year on the Krishna paksha 13th day/13th night in the month of Phalguna that corresponds to February/March. Mandi town has the title of 'Varanasi of the Hills'  due to the fact that he large number of gods and goddesses that are invited to the festival.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Shivratri Fair in Mandi

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 "Choti Kashi" and "cathedral of temples", is one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh with about 81 temples of different gods(mainly of God Shiva) and goddesses in its periphery. There are several legends linked to the celebration of this event. The festival is centred around the protector deity of Mandi "Madho Rai" (Lord Vishnu) and Lord Shiva of the Bhootnath temple in Mandi

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Shivratri Fair in Mandi

       The fair happens in Paddal Ground , Mandi whereas cultural programs performed during night at Seri manch near Indira Market . The cultural program is very famous as many popular singers and performers from Himachal Pradesh  , bollywood , foreign countries and rest of India performs in it.

           


Mandi town is accessible by road from Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Delhi. The nearest railway stations are Joginder Nagar and Shimla by narrow gauge train.



More information :  Wikipedia Link
                                 http://www.himachalpradeshtourism.org/
 
Album link:             Picasaweb

Some videos...

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Rohtang Pass : A visit to himalaya: Himachal Pradesh Tourism

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Rohtang Pass : A visit to himalaya
Rohtang Pass(Himachal Pradesh, India), in Tibetan language which means pile of corpses (due to people dying in bad weather trying to cross the pass) is a high mountainon pass in the eastern Pir panjal range of the Himalayas..

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Rohtang Pass : A visit to himalaya

It's altitude is 3,978 m or 13,051 ft and it is about 51 km (32 mi) from Manali, a very famous tourist place in Himachal pradesh. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh, India.The road goes through the Kullu Valley, past Manali and over the Rohtang Pass to Keylong, and Lahul and on to Ladakh.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Beas Kund(origin of beas river)

  The pass lies on the watershed between the Chenab and Beas basins. On the southern side of this pass, the Beas River emerges from underground and flows southward and on its northern side, the Chandra River, a source stream of the river Chenab, flows westward.                           
                  It is a busy militry and tourist road.Several episodes of the History Channel's Ice Road Truckers series spinoff IRT Deadliest Roads dealt with truckers crossing the Rohtang Pass to deliver supplies.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Rohtang Pass : A visit to himalaya

       It is a very beautiful place and full of snow for about 6 months, due to which this pass is closed in winter times .The pass is open from May to November. It is not particularly high or difficult to cross on foot by Himalayan standards, but it has a well-deserved reputation for being dangerous because of unpredictable snowstorms and blizzards. So if you want to visit Rohtang pass be prepared with all your accessories.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Rohtang Pass in Google Earth

More  info:
http://himachaltourism.gov.in/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtang_Pass

Photos :   Visit to Rohtang Pass
 
Here are some photos of my visit to Rohtang Pass
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Parashar lake , Mandi : Himachal Pradesh Tourism

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Parashar lake , Mandi

 Parashar lake , Mandi , Himachal Pradesh lies 45 km north of Mandi, with a three storied pagoda like temple dedicated to the Rishi(sage) Prashar. The Lake is located at an height of 2730 m above sea level. With deep blue waters, the Lake is held sacred to the sage Prashar and he is regarded to have meditated here. Framed by snow-capped peaks and looking down on fast flowing river Beas, .Ban Sen the king of Mandi got this temple built in the 13th century and the temple is in Pagoda style.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Parashar lake , Mandi , Himachal Pradesh

From the edge of Prashar Lake, you can see a slice of the distant snow capped peaks. The water of Sutlej river flowing towards south is also visible. It becomes snow covered during winter season.
The people of the adjoining area throng this temple during this annual fare held here in the in the month of June and the village deities of this vast mountainous area are carried to this heavenly spot to pay obeisance to sage Prashar.
Every year in the month of June, famous traditional fair is held here. Several camping sites are also located here and it is the base for numerous easy & hard treks.The lake has a floating island in it and it is said to be unclear how deep it is, with a diver not being able to determine its depth.
 There is a  forest guesthouse at the Prashar Lake where you can stay at very budget price.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Parashar lake , Mandi , Himachal Pradesh [near view]

 You can see a small round island in between lake. This small island moves from one side of lake to other side once in 6 months. There are lot of fishes in the lake which are not killed due to religious reason.
How to approach : The Lake can be approached via Mandi(45 km) through road and also from Drang.But trekking to this place is more enjoyable than road trip.The nearest airport at Bhuntar is 75 km. The broad-gauge railhead is at Pathankot at a distance of 226 km. From Pathankot the narrow gauge railway connects Joginder Nagar, 56 km from Mandi. From Chandigarh one can drive directly to Mandi via Ropar and Bilaspur, the distance is 203 km The drive takes around 5 hours. Luxury / Volvo coaches from Delhi and Shimla bound for Kullu - Manali travel via Mandi.

Himachal Pradesh Tourism : Temple of rishi Parashar near Parashar lake , Mandi , Himachal Pradesh

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