Thousands Gather on the Banks of the Beas During International Shivratri Festival 2026
Munish Sood
Mandi
In a moment that blended devotion, heritage and cultural pride, the sacred banks of the Beas River in Mandi witnessed a grand Beas Maha Aarti on Saturday evening, drawing parallels with the world-famous Ganga Aarti of Kashi. Held near the historic Panchvaktra Mahadev Temple as part of the International Shivratri Festival–2026, the ceremony marked a new spiritual milestone for the temple town often referred to as “Choti Kashi” of Himachal Pradesh.
The spectacular river aarti, attended by thousands of devotees, illuminated the Beas ghats with lamps, chants and a deep sense of collective faith—offering Mandi a tradition that could soon stand alongside India’s iconic river rituals in Varanasi, Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri graced the occasion as the chief guest and participated in the sacred prayers. Offering worship to the Beas River, he prayed for the peace, prosperity and well-being of the state. Addressing the gathering, Agnihotri said the Beas Maha Aarti has begun with renewed energy and devotion and is poised to become a defining cultural identity of Mandi in the years ahead.
“This spiritual initiative is steadily taking the shape of a lasting tradition associated with Shivratri celebrations. In the coming time, the Beas Maha Aarti will become a proud symbol of Mandi,” he said.
Agnihotri congratulated MLA Chandrashekhar, Chairman of the Shivratri Festival Committee, and Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan for successfully organizing the event and giving Mandi a spiritual experience reminiscent of the revered river aartis of Kashi.
Adding to the sanctity of the evening, the rituals were performed by five learned priests specially invited from Varanasi, who conducted the ceremony with Vedic hymns and traditional मंत्रोच्चार, bringing the essence of ancient Kashi to the heart of Himachal.
The event carried added historical significance as Mandi town steps into the 500th year of its establishment. To commemorate this milestone, a laser show highlighting the city’s rich cultural legacy and historical journey was also presented, leaving the audience mesmerized.
The Beas Maha Aarti witnessed strong community participation, with social organizations, citizens and visitors joining in large numbers to experience the spiritual grandeur.
Several prominent dignitaries were present, including MLA and former minister Anil Sharma, former minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Prakash Chaudhary, former CPS Sohal Lal Thakur, Vice Chairman of the Jal Prabandhan Board Shashi Sharma, APMC Chairman Sanjeev Guleria, District Congress Committee President Champa Thakur, former candidate Naresh Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar, and many other respected guests.
With the launch of the Beas Maha Aarti, Mandi has added a powerful new chapter to its Shivratri celebrations—one that not only strengthens its identity as Choti Kashi but also positions the Beas riverfront as a future spiritual landmark on the cultural map of India.
