JAMMU / KANGRA, Jul 14: Preparations for the annual Minjar Fair gathered momentum as a meeting of the Fair Committee was held in Zamanabad Panchayat of Kangra subdivision under the chairmanship of Fair Committee President Ashok Kumar. The committee resolved to organise the traditional festival as a seven-day event from July 27 to August 2.
The fair will commence on July 27 with traditional rituals and the ceremonial tying of the Minjar. The concluding ceremony on August 2 will begin with prayers at the Shiva Temple in Zamanabad, accompanied by traditional musical instruments. This will be followed by the Minjar Jaleb (procession) to the fairgrounds, where the sacred Minjar will be immersed in the Manuni Khad.
Fair Committee President Ashok Kumar ‘Kaku’ said the week-long festival will feature a variety of sports competitions, including Kabaddi, Hockey, Football and Inter-Panchayat Volleyball for both junior and senior categories, besides a 500-metre race. Special events for women, including the Matka Phod competition and musical chairs, will also be organised.
Fair General Secretary Vipan Pal said the Minjar Fair was started by the ancestors of Zamanabad to celebrate prosperity, greenery and well-being during the monsoon season. He added that the tradition has been preserved by successive generations and continues to be organised in accordance with age-old customs and rituals.
A major attraction of the fair will be the annual Star Night, featuring prominent folk singers from Himachal Pradesh. The festival also holds special significance for married daughters of the village, who return to their parental homes with their families to participate in the celebrations.
Several committee members, including Harjit Singh, Pramod Singh, Surendra Kumar, Hari Singh, Amarjit Singh, Mast Ram, Buddhi Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Subhash Paniyari, Govardhan Singh, Sunil, Ramesh Mesu, Sardari Lal, Deep Kumar, Tilak Raj, Sonu, Keepu Sultan and anchor Sandeep Chaudhary, attended the meeting.