Not to be published/broadcast before 28th July, 2008

          As the Monsoon sets in, the people of Himachal Pradesh, especially of Chamba district and adjoining areas of Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir eagerly wait for Chamba Minjar Fair which is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and traditional fanfare from time immemorial. Originally, the traditional fair was linked with the maize crop for which people of Chamba areas used to worship for better crop but today Minjar Fair has assumed cultural and historical importance and got status of International Fair in which a glimpse of rich cultural heritage could be seen.
          There are various beliefs regarding the origin of the festival. Some believed that it is celebrated to worship Varuna, the God of water. According to a legend, in the 10th century, the river Ravi flowed through Chamba town and Champawati temple stood on the right bank of the river and  Hari Rai temple on the left bank. At that time, a saint lived in Champawati temple who used to swim across the river every morning to perform worship at Hari Rai temple. The Raja and the inhabitants of Chamba asked the saint to make arrangements to enable to visit the sacred Hari Rai temple. The saint told the Raja and his subjects to assemble at Champawati temple. With the assistance of some Brahmins from Banaras, he arranged a Yajna for seven days. The Brahmins prepared a cord of seven different colours and named it Minjar. When the Yajna was completed, the river changed its course and everyone was able to visit Hari Rai temple. Some ascribe the fair to the victories of Raja Sahil Varman of Chamba, when Raja returned to Chamba after his victory over the Raja of Kangra he was welcomed at Nalohra bridge with tentacles of maize.
          Minjar fair starts on the last Sunday of July to the next Sunday at famous lush green Chowgan of Chamba with religious fervour. Prayers are offered in Lakshmi-Narain temple and Kunjari Malhar recited. During the week long celebrations, people wear a silken tassel with stalks of Minjar, the maize plant as a symbol of their prayers for a bountiful harvest. Minjars are sent to friends and relatives together with fruits, sweets and money.
         The immersion ceremony, which is the most important part of the festival, is preceded by a colourful procession, which starts from Raghunath Temple in the ancient Akhand Chandi-Mahal of Raja of Chamba. The idols of Raghuvir and various other Gods and Goddesses in palanquins are taken out from the palace and people in thousands take part in the procession reaches the place of immersion on the river bank. The Chief Guest stands on a decorated platform. Amidst the chanting of mantras, he throws minjars, a rupee, a coconut, some drub (grass) and flowers into the river as an offering to the rain-god. After this ceremony, the fair is declared closed and the idols of Gods and Goddesses and Shahi flags are taken back to Akhand Chandi Mahal.
         The highlights of the week long Minjar Fair are cultural  programmes by the cultural troupes from within and outside States and sports in which teams drawn  from various parts of the district even from neighbouring States participate. Exhibitions by different Government departments, Boards and Corporations are also installed depicting their achievements and   development during the Fair. The people in thousands in their colourful dresses and costumes from within and outside the State participate and enjoy the Fair.