Mandi: To preserve the rich traditions of Shivratri that are centuries old, the district administration of Mandi in association with the Sarv Devta Committee of Mandi is documenting them so that present and future generations are able to organise the festival in accordance with the traditions and understand their importance.
Shivratri celebrated in a festive fair tradition in Mandi since the 17th Century is its main festival. For the congregation of many Lord Shiva temples, the place is also known as Chotta Kashi and people from all walks of life celebrate the festival with fervour.
However, with the passage of time Mandi Maha-Shivaratri has undergone a lot of change and its age-old traditions continue to challenges.
Rugved Milind Thakur, district magistrate says that traditions of Shivratri regarding the Puja processes, invitation procedures for deities, Jaleb, sitting arrangements of the deities and others are not documented, which the administration is putting together in a document so the the rich culture of Chotti Kashi can be conserved.
He said that a meeting with Devta sub committee had been held and many suggestions were put forth.
The documentation would be completed soon and the compilation is expected to released at the inauguration of the Shivratri Year, later in the week, by chief minister Jairam Thakur.
Pandit Shivpaal Sharma, president of Sarv Devta Samaj Samiti said that this effort of the district administration would held to collate all the traditions associated with Shivratri and be of immense help for the younger generations to learn and follow our rich culture.
A senior journalist who has spent more than a decade in the profession, working for Amar Ujala and Aapka Faisla.
