The Minjar Fair is held in Himachal Pradesh with great pomp and fanfare. Tourists throng the Chamba region at Himachal Pradesh during the Minjar Fair. It is a fiesta that brings into notice the rich cultural heritage of India. Numerous legends are associated with the Minjar Fair in Himachal Pradesh. Apart from it, Minjar Mela in Himachal Pradesh is one of those festivals that represent the cultural beauty in celebration mode. You can enjoy soulful and traditional Kunjari Malhar songs, which various local artists sing during this festival.
History of Minjar Fair in Himachal Pradesh:
Chamba Town in Himachal Pradesh has gained eminence because of this fair. The River Ravi used to flow between the Champawati Temple and Hari Rai Temple. So, the people who visited any one of these two temples had to cross the river Ravi to go to the other. So, the Raja of Himachal Pradesh asked a saint to make Hari Rai Temple accessible to everyone. The saint, in turn, ordered the Raja and his subjects to assemble at the Champawati Temple. There a yagna or fire sacrifice was conducted for seven days. Next, the Brahmins invited from Benaras prepared a cord of various colors known as Minjar.
After the yagna was over, miraculously, the Rive Ravi changed its course, and people could then easily visit the temple of Hari Rai. The name Minjar emerged from the cord spun by the Brahman.
According to another legend, the Minjar Temple derives its name from the tale of the old woman who wished to meet the king of Chamba, but she was so poor that she could not bring a nice gift for the king.
But she brought a Maize Flower called Minjar for the benevolent king, and from here, the name Minjar Fair emerged. The king was so delighted with the old woman that he declared that day to be feted as Minjar Fair.
Description of the Minjar Fair:
During the Minjar Fair in Himachal Pradesh, people generally wear silk costumes, and there is always a stalk of Minjar attached to it. They offer their prayers to the Laxmi Narayan Temple and celebrate throughout the week. The stalk of Maize symbolizes their faith in God and indicates their expectation of a good harvest.
During the Minjar Fair, sweets, fruits, and money are sent to friends and relatives. The immersion ceremony follows the Puja. A grand procession marks this.
In this impressive procession, the Raghuvir Verman idol and other gods and goddesses are taken in Palanquins for immersion in the river. Finally, as a mark of reminiscence, a flag, known as the Shahi Flag, is brought home.
Time for the celebration of Minjar Fair:
From the last Sunday of July, the Minjar Fair commences. It continues for seven days at a stretch and is a grand carnival of Himachal Pradesh.
You can contact our tour experts to know more about this festival in Himachal Pradesh. To attend this, you can book a holiday package for Himachal during the time of this celebration. We have well-designed Himachal tour packages that you can fully customize.
