Munish Sood
Mandi
The International Mandi Shivratri Festival concluded on Sunday with an extraordinary display of devotion and tradition as thousands gathered at Chauhata to witness the ceremonial Dev Darbar and the final Jaleb procession. The closing day marked the culmination of seven days of spiritual fervour that transformed the historic town into a vibrant centre of faith and culture.
Following the traditional Chauhata Jatar held in the courtyard of the revered Baba Bhootnath Temple, district deities formally began their return to their respective shrines, bringing the week-long festivities to a solemn yet graceful close.
For an entire week, Mandi — often referred to as Chhoti Kashi — echoed with the rhythmic beats of drums, devotional hymns, and chants invoking divine blessings. By Sunday evening, the town gradually returned to calm after witnessing one of its most significant religious congregations of the year.
Rituals for Protection and Prosperity
A key highlight of the concluding ceremonies was the sacred ritual performed by Dev Adi Brahma for the protection and well-being of the town. In keeping with tradition, the deity’s Gur accompanied the ceremonial chariot in a symbolic circumambulation of the city, praying for prosperity and safeguarding the town from negative forces.
Devotees participated with deep reverence, tossing barley flour into the air — a customary practice believed to purify the surroundings and invoke collective blessings.
Chauhata Transforms into a Spiritual Confluence
The final day’s proceedings began early, with deities assembling at Chauhata Bazaar from 6:00 AM onwards. By 8:00 AM, the entire stretch from the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex to the premises of Baba Bhootnath Temple had turned into a spiritual congregation point.
A steady stream of devotees lined up to offer prayers and present traditional offerings. Newly married couples sought blessings for marital harmony, families prayed for the success and well-being of their children, and elderly residents patiently waited for darshan, underscoring the inclusive and inter-generational character of the festival.
The atmosphere was marked not only by devotion but also by a strong sense of community participation, reflecting Mandi’s centuries-old deity tradition.
Formal Farewell Ceremony
Around 2:00 PM, the ceremonial departure of the deities commenced. The symbolic Dev Milan (meeting of deities) added emotional resonance to the concluding rituals.
Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the Mela Committee, Apoorv Devgan, performed prayers at the historic Raj Rajeshwari Temple and presented ceremonial shawls and offerings to the visiting deities before formally bidding them farewell.
The structured and orderly conclusion of the festival reflected coordinated efforts by the district administration and temple committees.
Rare Seating of Bada Dev Kamrunag Draws Large Crowds
A significant moment during the final day was the seating of Bada Dev Kamrunag at Seri Chanani — an occurrence that did not take place last year, generating considerable anticipation among devotees.
The deity, who had been stationed at the Tarna Mata Temple during the festival, departed early in the morning and reached Seri Chanani at approximately 9:00 AM. Despite tight security arrangements, authorities had to manage substantial crowds that gathered to seek blessings.
The deity remained seated at Seri Chanani for nearly ninety minutes before proceeding onward, concluding a much-awaited ritual that added spiritual intensity to the closing day.
With the deities returning to their native shrines and ceremonial proceedings completed, the International Mandi Shivratri Festival 2026 concluded on a note of faith, order, and cultural continuity — reaffirming Mandi’s enduring identity as one of Himachal Pradesh’s most significant religious and cultural centres.
