Mahashivratri Festival Tour

Duration: 5 Nights / 6 Days
Route: Delhi, Chandigarh, Nalagarh, Mandi

Mahashivratri - The Big Night of Lord Shiva

Imagine a Phalanx of Gods and Goddesses descending upon one place, in elaborately decorated gurs or Palanquins for a brief period every year and what you get is a town that is charged with an electrifying atmosphere. Come Shivratri hundreds of local deities invited from all over the Mandi district, start arriving in Mandi town admist much fanfare. It?s religious fervor at its best. However during Mahashivratri, even the gods must follow certain rules in Mandi. The Main deity, also known as the Protector of Mandi, is Madho Rao. (Lord Vishnu) and it is to him that every arriving deity must first pay obeisance. Next is a meeting with the Raja of Mandi, followed by a visit to the ancient Bhootnath (Lord Shiva) temple. Only then can the visiting deities proceed to their designated places. The Fair atually begins the day after Mahashivratri and goes on for six days. The mornings are devoted to all things religious ritualistic while the evenings are dedicated to a Plethora of Cultural programme conducted at the Seri Manch.

Shivratri Fair at Mandi

Mandi Shivaratri Fair is an annual fair that is held for 7 days starting with the Hindu festival of Shivaratri, in the Mandi town.The Mandi Shivaratri fair is held as per Hindu calendar every year on the Krishna paksha 13th day/ 13th night (breaking fast/'vrata' on 14th after sunrise) of the waning moon in the month of Phalguna that corresponds to February/March as per Gregorian calendar. In view of the large number of Gods and Goddesses that are invited to the festival from its 81 temples, Mandi town has the title of 'Varanasi of the Hills'. 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 "cathedral of temples", is one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh with about 81 temples of different Gods and Goddesses in its periphery. There are several legends linked to the celebration of this event. The festival is centered around the protector deity of Mandi "Mado Rai" (Lord Vishnu) and Lord Shiva of the Bhootnath temple in Mandi.

Itinerary

Program

06th Mar 2013: Arrival Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, you will be Greeted and Escorted by Indo Asia Tour Executive to your Hotel (Rooms will be available 1200 Noon). In its 3000 years of existence; seven cities have risen where the present capital of India stands. Here you'll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary. Where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist beside a modern metropolis. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored. Overnight in the Hotel.

08th Mar 2013: Delhi / Chandigarh (By Train) – Nalagarh (Approx. 150 kms- 02 hrs)

After early breakfast transfer to the railway station and connect train Kalka Shatabadi - 0740 / 1105 Hrs to Chandigarh. On arrival check in at the hotel, Arrive railway station and further drive to Nalagarh (50 Kms) Nalagarh is a gateway to Himachal Pradesh in North India. The Fort which was built in 1421 during the reign of Raja Bikram Chand is located on a hillock at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas affording a panoramic view of the Shivalik hills beyond the Sirsa river. Nalagarh was ruled by the Chandela Rajputs who originated from Chanderi in the Bundelkhand region of central India. Arrive and check in at the Hotel. Overnight in the Hotel.

09th Mar 2013: Nalagarh / MANDI (Approx. 150 Kms – 5 Hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Mandi, arrive there and transfer to the Hotel. Built along the Beas River is the historic town of Mandi, the gateway to the Kullu valley . Mandi is renowned for its 81 old stone temples and their enormous range of fine carving, it is often called the 'Varanasi of the Hills'. Evening at leisure. Overnight in the Hotel.

11th Mar 2013: Mandi

Full day to explore the Rewalsar town. Rewalsar which is holy place for Tibetans who call it as Tso Pema. Rawalsar is sacred to adherents of three major religions ? Hinduism, Budhism and Sikhism. Visit the famous Hindu temple and a Gurdwara, This Gurudwara was built in 1930 by Raja Joginder Sen of Mandi.Overnight in the Hotel.