Historic Shoolini fair takes off

Tribune News Service

Solan, June 21

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Dr Rajiv Bindal today inaugurated the three days state-level historic Shoolini fair signifying faith and devotion in Goddess Shoolini.

The fair marks the sojourn of the ruling deity of the area at her elder sister Goddess Durga’s temple located at Ganj Bazaar. Thousands of people joined the palanquin of Goddess Shoolini which moved in a procession through the main streets of the town. People from far-flung areas thronged the town to seek the blessings of the deity on the occasion. The fair, which started over 100 years ago, has become a popular event in the district.

The temple is principally decorated for the mela celebrated here in June every year. The fair dates back to the AD 19th century and is a traditional jubilation solemnised even before the conception of the mela.

Dr Bindal after paying obeisance at the temple participated in the auspicious ‘shobha yatra’ which passed through the main areas of the town, where people had gathered in numbers to seek the blessings of the Goddess.

Community langars were organised at various places in the town. Earlier, the speaker was accorded a warm welcome by administrative officials and BJP leaders.

Stalls were put up by various departments on the occasion at Thodo Ground, depicting their development activities. The district legal services authority had also set-up a stall at the ground to disseminate information about the authority to the masses. It was inaugurated by the acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice DC Chaudhary. He was accorded a warm welcome by the officials of the district legal services authority including its president Bhupesh Sharma, secretary Gurmeet Kaur, Additional District and Sessions Judge Praveen Chauhan, CJM Rajesh Chauhan and civil judge Rahul.

Legal authority sets up stall

The district legal services authority also set up a stall at the Thodo ground to disseminate information about the authority to the masses. It was inaugurated by the acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice DC Chaudhary. He was accorded a warm welcome by the officials of the district legal services authority, including its president Bhupesh Sharma, secretary Gurmeet Kaur, Additional District and Sessions Judge Praveen Chauhan, CJM Rajesh Chauhan and civil judge Rahul.