Shivratri fair begins in Mandi

Shimla: Centuries old week-long International Shivratri fair - a traditional festival at Mandi began on Tuesday with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur joining a ceremonial procession and also addressing a gathering at historical Paddal ground.

Mandi Shivratri like Kullu Dussehra is also a biggest attraction for the trade and business, besides being a congregation of local deities –which are brought to the Paddal ground for week long festivity. In fact, deities are part of Himachal Pradesh's traditions and daily life, including solemnisation of marriages and other family traditions. As the country was approaching to the Lok Sabha polls, the festival also turned as mega show of strength for the state government and the BJP leaders.

In his speech CM shared the concerns of the nation as to how recent Pulwama terrorist attack has shaken the country, adding that the nation, under stable and strong leadership of PM Narendra Modi, was safe as he gave a befitting reply to Pakistan by carrying out surgical strike at the terrorist camps in Pakistan's Balakot.

He said the diplomatic will power and dynamism of PM ensured that Indian Pilot Abhinandan was immediately handed over to the country by Pakistan Army.