International Shivratri Fair in Mandi

Mandi Shivaratri Fair  is an international festival which held for 7 days starting with the Hindu festival of Shivaratri, in the Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh, India. The Mandi Shivaratri fair is held as per Hindu calendar every year on the Krishna paksha 13th day/13th night in the month of Phalguna that corresponds to February/March. Mandi town has the title of 'Varanasi of the Hills'  due to the fact that he large number of gods and goddesses that are invited to the festival.

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 "Choti Kashi" and "cathedral of temples", is one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh with about 81 temples of different gods(mainly of God Shiva) and goddesses in its periphery. There are several legends linked to the celebration of this event. The festival is centred around the protector deity of Mandi "Madho Rai" (Lord Vishnu) and Lord Shiva of the Bhootnath temple in Mandi

Kailash Kher in Mandi Shivratri

       The fair happens in Paddal Ground , Mandi whereas cultural programs performed during night at Seri manch near Indira Market . The cultural program is very famous as many popular singers and performers from Himachal Pradesh  , bollywood , foreign countries and rest of India performs in it.
               




Mandi town is accessible by road from Shimla, Chandigarh, Pathankot and Delhi. The nearest railway stations are Joginder Nagar and Shimla by narrow gauge train.






More information :  Wikipedia Link
                                 http://www.himachalpradeshtourism.org/
 
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Some videos...

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Rohtang Pass : A visit to Himalya

Rohtang Pass(Himachal Pradesh, India), in Tibetan language which means pile of corpses (due to people dying in bad weather trying to cross the pass) is a high mountainous pass in the eastern Pir panjal range of the Himalayas..




It's altitude is 3,978 m or 13,051 ft and it is about 51 km (32 mi) from Manali, a very famous tourist place in Himachal pradesh. It connects the Kullu Valley with the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys of Himachal Pradesh, India.The road goes through the Kullu Valley, past Manali and over the Rohtang Pass to Keylong, and Lahul and on to Ladakh.

Beas Kund :origin of river Beas

The pass lies on the watershed between the Chenab and Beas basins. On the southern side of this pass, the Beas River emerges from underground and flows southward and on its northern side, the Chandra River, a source stream of the river Chenab, flows westward.   


                  

                 

It is a busy militry and tourist road.Several episodes of the History Channel's Ice Road Truckers series spinoff IRT Deadliest Roads dealt with truckers crossing the Rohtang Pass to deliver supplies. 

Road to Himalya

 It is a very beautiful place and full of snow for about 6 months, due to which this pass is closed in winter times .The pass is open from May to November. It is not particularly high or difficult to cross on foot by Himalayan standards, but it has a well-deserved reputation for being dangerous because of unpredictable snowstorms and blizzards. So if you want to visit Rohtang pass be prepared with all your accessories.


More  info:
http://himachaltourism.gov.in/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtang_Pass


Photos : Visit to Rohtang Pass
 
Here are some photos of my visit to Rohtang Pass 


 

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Parashar Lake

Parashar Lake and Temple

Prashar Lake is located 49 km north of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India, dedicated to the sage Prashar. The lake is at a height of 2730 m above sea level .The lake can be approached via Drang,Mandi(H.P.) . This place is sacred because Sage Parashar had meditated here in old times

Temple of Sage Parashar

Here in Parashar lake , situated a three storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to sage Parashar.The place is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and thick jungle. You can looking down river Beas, flowing from here
                                   

Close photo of lake Parashar

There is a tiny island in the middle of lake which floats from one side to another ia a span of 6 months.




There is a government rest house here where you can stay at night. However it is a lonely place away from crowd and pollution.
You can reach the place by road , but the condition of road is not so good and is closed during rains and snow. Trekking is best way to reach here if you have enough time to do that.


More Info : Wikipedia
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