Shimla: World famous International Shivratri Mahotsav of Mandi began today with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur formally announcing the opening of the festival at historic Paddal ground of Mandi town.
Earlier, the Chief Minister after paying obeisance at the temple of famous and principal deity Raj Madhav Rai, participated in the traditional Jaleb, Shobha Yatra which started from Shri Raj Madhav Rai temple and culminated at the Paddal ground.
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216 plus deities participated in the Jaleb
Thousands of people dressed in their traditional dress participated in the procession carrying their local deities dancing all the way up to the Paddal ground.
Over 216 deities participated in the Jaleb, the traditional Shoba Yatra from almost all parts of the district.
The Chief Minister also participated in the Pagri ceremony and performed Puja at Shri Raj Madhav Rai temple.
Government increases Nazarana of deities and honorarium of Bajantris
While addressing the people at historic Paddal Ground, the Chief Minister said that offerings to our God and Goddesses in the era of Covid-19 have also been adversely affected.
Keeping this in view, the state government has decided to double the honorarium of Bajantris by announcing 100% increase in it. He said that last year Rs 9.52 lakh were spent on the honorarium of Bajantris, whereas Rs. 19 lakh would be spent during this year.
He announced 50 percent increase in the expenditure for the ration of the deities. He said that last year Rs. 16.38 lakh were spent on it whereas this year about Rs 25 lakh would be spent.
The Chief Minister also announced 33 percent increase in the Nazarana of the deities. He said that about Rs. 50 lakh were given as Nazarana and honorarium last year whereas this time Rs. 75 lakh would be spent on this which shows the commitment of the state government towards the deities and our faith in Dev Sanskriti.
He said that Rs 175 crores Shiv Dham was coming up at Mandi and work was going in war footing. Once completed, it would be an added attraction for the people visiting the state.
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Sanskriti Sadan will provide proper staying facility to Devlu’s: CM
While addressing the Kardar Sangh at Sanskriti Sadan Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced that the state government would sympathetically consider transfer of forest and government land where temple has been constructed on such land in the name of temple.
Chief Minister said that Mandi town was in real sense the land of deities, Gods and Goddesses and was known as Chhoti Kashi. He said that each and every village in entire Mandi district has its own deity and its own temple.
He said that hundreds of deities participate in International Mandi Shivratri alongwith their Devlu (followers), but it is felt that there is no proper place for stay of these followers.
He said that this Sanskriti Sadan was constructed to meet out this requirement on the analogy of Dev Sadan at Kullu, where International Dussehra festival is celebrated every year.
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Jai Ram Thakur said that the people of the state have immense faith in the deities. He urged the Dev Samaj to come forward to tackle the problem of drug abuse. He said that initiatives must be made to motivate the youth to stay away from this social vice.
He suggested that the Bajantris must organize a collective event Dev Dhun during the Shivratri festival. He also urged the Dev Samaj to involve them in cleanliness drive.
He said that temple committees should also come forward in other social activities such as running cow sanctuaries and gau sadans in the state.
He also wrote down his comments on the Visitor’s Book of the Sanskriti Sadan.
