Deputy CM to Inaugurate on February 16 ; Cultural evenings to feature Nitin, Neha Dixit and Kuldeep Sharma; International Cultural Parade scheduled for February 20
Munish Sood
Mandi
The ancient temple town of Mandi, revered as Choti Kashi of Himachal Pradesh, is once again ready to resonate with devotion, tradition and cultural grandeur as the International Shivratri Festival 2026 approaches—an iconic celebration that has continued here for more than five centuries.
Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the International Shivratri Festival Committee, Apoorv Devgan, informed that the seven-day-long festival will be ceremonially inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on February 16, 2026, at 3:00 pm at the Paddal Ground.
Before the formal inauguration, the Deputy Chief Minister will offer prayers at the sacred Shri Raj Madhoray Temple and join the festival’s first traditional procession, popularly known as the Jaleb. Led by Shri Raj Madhoray Ji, this grand procession remains one of the most significant rituals of the festival, drawing participation from local residents as well as revered deities from across the Mandi region.
Deputy Commissioner Offers Prayers at Key Temples Ahead of Festival
Earlier in the morning, Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, accompanied by his wife Shweta Devgan and other dignitaries, participated in the traditional Shivratri Mahayagya at the courtyard of Raj Devta Madhav Rai.
He also paid obeisance at the Maa Shyama Kali Temple in Tarna and offered prayers to Mandi’s revered deity Bada Dev Kamrunag, seeking peace, prosperity and well-being for the people of the district.
The Deputy Commissioner performed special prayers at the Shri Raj Madhav Rai Temple and later visited the historic Baba Bhootnath Temple, where he also took part in the sacred havan and yagya rituals.
A short traditional procession, known as the Laghu Jaleb, was taken out from Raj Madhav Rai Temple to Baba Bhootnath Temple to formally extend an invitation to Baba Bhootnath for the International Shivratri celebrations. The procession was accompanied by a police contingent, the Home Guards band, and the presence of royal deities from across the Mandi region.
Several prominent officials and public representatives were present, including Mayor Virendra Bhatt, councillors of the Municipal Corporation, President of the Sarv Devta Samaj Committee Shiv Pal Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner Gursimar Singh, Additional District Magistrate Dr. Madan Kumar, SDM Rupinder Kaur, and other residents of the town.
Extending greetings on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, Devgan invited people to participate in the International Mandi Fair, stating that the festival is being celebrated with a special emphasis on the district’s rich Dev culture and sacred traditions.
He said that from February 16 to February 22, the event will focus on strengthening public connection with the revered deities, associated rituals, and the deeply rooted spiritual heritage of the region. He added that efforts are being made to ensure greater participation of the younger generation, so that this grand congregation of faith continues to reinforce Mandi’s unique cultural identity.
Cultural Nights to Showcase Renowned Performers
Alongside religious traditions, the festival will feature vibrant cultural evenings at the Seri Stage, bringing together celebrated voices and folk talent. The first cultural evening on February 16 will be headlined by Indian Idol fame Nitin, singer Neha Dixit, and Himachal’s popular “Nati King” Kuldeep Sharma.
The cultural programme for the week includes:
• February 17: Performances by Kaku Ram Thakur and Sunil Rana
• February 18: Mount Fashion Show, Inderjit Paul, Bollywood playback singer Arvind Rajput, and international troupes
• February 19: Mamta Bhardwaj, Arun-Anushila Jugni, Kumar Sahil, along with national and international artists
• February 20: Special cultural night alongside the International Parade featuring Geeta Bhardwaj, Kushant Bhardwaj and visiting groups
• February 21: Grand finale with the “Voice of Shivratri” finale, Harmony of Pines, Inderjit Singh and international performances
International Cultural Parade on February 20
One of the festival’s most anticipated highlights will be the International Cultural Parade on February 20, featuring cultural troupes from France, the United States, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, and several other nations.
Artists from Himachal Pradesh, North India and the Mandi district will also participate, turning the parade into a vibrant celebration of global cultural exchange.
A Living Confluence of Dev Tradition and Global Harmony
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan described the Shivratri Festival as a remarkable confluence of Mandi’s deep-rooted Dev culture, folk traditions and international cultural participation. He appealed to citizens and visitors to join the celebrations in large numbers, preferably in traditional attire, to further enrich the spirit of the festival.
The International Shivratri Festival continues to stand as one of Himachal Pradesh’s most iconic events—where spirituality, heritage and cultural harmony come together in the heart of Mandi.
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