INTERNATIONAL MAHA SHIVRATRI FESTIVAL IN MANDI
International Maha Shivratri Festival is organized in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Mandiu2019s Shivaratri Mela is a Fascinating example of Indiau2019s Multi-deity Culture and Devbhumi Himachal itself is the land of gods. Since the Mandi is home to 81 temples of Lord Shiva, Mandi sees a footfall of more than 1000 devotees on the day of Shivratri. The festival is also known as the International Mandi Shivratri festival. During the festival, a colorful procession called Shobha Yatra is organized as per which various deities are carried in their chariots to Mandi to pay homage to Madho Rai and the Raja. As per the old ritual, it is mandatory that every deity who visits Mandi should visit Madho Rai temple first in order to pay respect to Lord Vishnu and then honor the ruler. Consequently, the deity pays obeisance to Lord Shiv at Bhootnath temple where the main festival is organized. The entire procession is swayed by drums and folk music to indicate happiness.
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