Mandi (HP) February 16 Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri inaugurated the seven-day International Shivratri Fair in the state's Mandi district on Monday.
In line with tradition, he performed puja of Madhav Rai, the principal deity of the Mandi estate, and joined a procession (Jaleb) which started from the office of the deputy commissioner and concluded at Paddal ground.
The procession saw people carrying palanquins of their local deities, numbering more than 200, dressed in traditional attire, and moving to the rhythm of traditional instruments.
On Sunday, Dev Kamrunag, a deity, was received by the Mandi deputy commissioner on the outskirts of town.
It is said that when Dev Kamrunag reaches Mandi, the Shivratri festival begins.
Agnihotri reached Mandi on Sunday and visited the Bhootnath Temple. In the evening, he witnessed "Beas Aarti" on the bank of the Beas River, which passes through the town.
The Shivratri fair began in 1527 during the reign of the then ruler of the erstwhile Mandi estate.
Initially a local event, it was declared a state event after the formation of Himachal Pradesh.