Baba Dev Kamrunag’s Grand Arrival Marks the Start of Mandi’s Shivratri Festival
The revered deity Bada Dev Kamrunag of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh has made his grand arrival in Choti Kashi Mandi. On Tuesday afternoon, DC Mandi Apoorv Devgan warmly welcomed Dev Kamrunag after performing traditional rituals outside the Raj Madhav Rai Temple. Following this, Dev Kamrunag’s staff was ceremoniously taken to the royal palace, where the head of the royal family greeted the deity with customary reverence. Later, the staff was taken to the Tarna Mata Temple. Dev Kamrunag will reside at the Tarna Mata Temple for eight days, during which thousands of devotees will visit to seek blessings.
The Shivratri festival, celebrated since ancient times in Mandi, is considered to begin with the arrival of Dev Kamrunag in Mandi. Dev Kamrunag visits Mandi only once a year to participate in the Shivratri festival. DC Mandi Apoorv Devgan mentioned that he has prayed to Dev Kamrunag for the successful organization of the Shivratri festival. He said that the festival has officially commenced with the deity’s arrival.
Shivpal Sharma, President of the All Deity Committee, shared, “As always, this time too, 216 registered deities have been invited to the Shivratri festival. On Tuesday, some major deities, including Dev Kamrunag, have arrived. Most of the deities will arrive tomorrow, on the day of Shivratri. To ensure clear weather and no disruptions during the festival, prayers will be made to Dev Kamrunag and other major deities.”
On the occasion of Shivratri tomorrow, a small procession will be taken out at 10 AM. This procession will go from Raj Madhav Rai Temple to Baba Bhootnath Temple, where DC Mandi will perform rituals. On Wednesday, DC Mandi will visit various temples throughout the day for worship. Following this, the seven-day International Shivratri Festival will be formally inaugurated by the CM on Thursday. On Thursday, February 27, a grand procession will be taken out in the afternoon, reaching the Paddal ground, where the festival will commence.
