Shivratri festival begins, devotees throng temples

Thousands of devotees thronged Shiv temples to offer prayers and seek blessings for peace, prosperity and well-being on the occasion of Mahashivratri. The atmosphere reverberated with the chants of “Har Har Mahadev” and “Bam Bam Bhole” as worshippers lined up from the early hours of the morning to pay obeisance.

At the historic Baijnath Shiv Temple, one of the most revered shrines of Himachal Pradesh, doors were opened at 4 am. A special ritualistic puja was performed throughout the day and devotees continued to pour in till late night on Sunday. Long queues were witnessed outside the temple premises, prompting the authorities concerned to make elaborate arrangements for the smooth darshan of the deity, security, traffic regulation and availability of drinking water.

The state-level Shivratri Mahotsav-2026 commenced with a grand procession from the PWD rest house to the Indira Gandhi Stadium. Locals and pilgrims participated in the procession, marked by traditional rituals and cultural displays.

Local MLA Kishori Lal was chief guest on the occasion. After offering prayers at the Baijnath temple, he prayed for peace, prosperity and accelerated development in the state. He highlighted the cultural and spiritual significance of Mahashivratri and emphasised the need to preserve the region’s rich heritage.

The MLA also inspected exhibitions set up by various government departments showcasing developmental initiatives and welfare schemes. He interacted with officials and sought updates on the progress of the ongoing projects.

The inaugural ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances by local artists and schoolchildren, reflecting the rich traditions and folk heritage of the region. The performances received a loud applause from the audience and added colour to the spiritual fervour of the festival.

SDM, Baijnath, Sankalap Gautam, who is the chairman of the Shivratri Festival Committee, said that comprehensive arrangements had been put in place for the smooth conduct of the festival. Security personnel in an adequate strength had been deployed, traffic plans implemented and sanitation measures strengthened to handle a large influx of pilgrims, he added.

The SDM said, “The celebrations once again underscored Baijnath’s status as a major spiritual and cultural centre of the state, with Mahashivratri serving as a powerful expression of faith and community spirit.”