The ongoing weeklong Mandi Shivratri festival, which is marking its 500 years, is drawing a large number of visitors to witness the rich cultural heritage of Mandi town and the Shivratri festival, being showcased by the Shivratri Festival Organizing Committee through several new programmes.
Mandi town is also known as Chhoti – Kashi as 85 large and small temples exist here, depicting history and cultural legacy.
And to highlight this aspect, the Shivratri Festival Organizing Committee has taken initiative to add new programmes such as Heritage Walk, Mandi – Lit – Festival and pre –festival cultural programmes at Sunken Garden.
One of these ‘The Heritage Walk’ has drawn hundreds of local residents keen to explore the history and heritage of Mandi, where they have been living for years.
Through the Heritage Walk, the visitors are taken to visit several prominent temples and heritage sites of the town i.e. Madhav Rai Temple, Baba Bhootnath Temple, Panchvaktra Temple, Hanuman Ghat, Khuarani Temple, Ardhanarishwar Temple, Trilokinath Temple, Bhoot Nath and Durbar hall etc.
The logistic support for the Heritage Walk is being provided by Regional Transport department, Tourism Department and the organizing committee. The spirit behind the initiative is a journalist and a writer Satya Mahesh, who has authored books on the history of temples of Mandi.
Satya Mahesh is also enlightening the visitors through deep knowledge of history of temples and cultural heritage of Mandi.
He said, “Though people of Mandi have been paying obeisance in temples daily but many are ignorant about religious and cultural significance of many temples and I am trying to narrate this based on my research and hope this will enlighten people. ”
The Additional Deputy Commissioner Mandi, Gursimar Singh said, “Mandi town is completing 500 years of its establishment and preserves its vibrant heritage, ancient temples, distinctive architecture, and rich spiritual traditions; the Heritage Walk will provide people with an opportunity to closely observe and understand Mandi’s cultural heritage and invite visitors and researchers.”
One of the participants in the walk on Wednesday, Sneh Lata said, “The walk is a good initiative and enthuses visitors from Mandi and other places.”
Former President of Mandi Municipal Committee Pushp Raj Sharma after a Heritage Walk said, “ Though I was born and brought up in Mandi, the walk has enriched my knowledge.”
