3-day Shoolini Goddess fair begins in Himachal with traditional fervour

IANS June 21, 2025 743 views

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu inaugurated the historic Shoolini fair in Solan with traditional fervour. The three-day festival began with a vibrant procession carrying Goddess Shoolini's palanquin through the streets. Sukhu actively participated by shouldering the deity's palanquin and releasing a commemorative souvenir. The century-old fair continues to draw thousands despite past challenges like idol thefts in 2008.

"The palanquin procession of the deity, a central highlight of the festivities, drew crowds who lined streets to pay their respects" - Article
Solan, June 20: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Friday inaugurated the century-old Shoolini fair here on Friday with tens of thousands people joined the palanquin of Goddess Shoolini who moved in a procession for the sojourn of her elder sister Goddess Durga’s place located in the town.

Key Points

1

CM Sukhu shoulders Goddess Shoolini's palanquin in historic procession

2

Fair marks 100+ years of cultural tradition in Solan

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Two of three temple idols were stolen in 2008 incident

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Event promotes trade and heritage in Himachal Pradesh

A colourful procession that started from the Shoolini temple marked the beginning of three-day fair named after Goddess Shoolini, the presiding deity of Solan.

The palanquin procession of the deity, a central highlight of the festivities, drew crowds who lined streets to pay their respects and seek blessings of the deity.

The Chief Minister participated in festivities by offering prayers for the peace and prosperity of the people. He shouldered the palanquin and joined the Shobha Yatra and showered flowers on the palanquin as a gesture of reverence.

The Chief Minister also released a souvenir to mark the event brought out by the fair organising committee.

Prominent artistes will perform during the fair to entertain the audience in the evening.

In a first in 2008, the procession of the Shoolini fair lacked traditional appeal as the palanquin of Goddess Shoolini that had only one idol, instead of three, as two of them were stolen from the Shoolini temple.

Of the eight idols in the Shoolini temple, only three were traditionally taken out in the palanquin during the fair. It is believed that the fair was started over a century ago by the then ruler of the erstwhile Baghat state to promote trade and cultural activities in the region.

Himachal Pradesh has over 2,000 temples and monasteries that are centuries old. Of these, 60 are under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), while 31 are under the control of the state’s Language, Art and Culture Department.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Beautiful to see our traditions being celebrated with such enthusiasm! 🙏 Himachal's culture is truly unique. I visited Solan last year and the temple architecture is breathtaking. More such festivals should be promoted to showcase our rich heritage.
P
Priya M.
The CM's participation shows respect for local traditions. But I'm sad to read about the stolen idols - this is happening too often across India. We need better security for our ancient artifacts. Otherwise future generations will only read about them in books.
A
Amit S.
Jai Mata Di! ✨ These fairs are not just religious events but also boost local economy. Street vendors, hotels, transport - everyone benefits. Hope the government maintains the cleanliness though - last time I went, plastic waste was spoiling the beauty.
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Neha T.
Interesting to know this fair started for trade promotion. Our ancestors were so wise - combining devotion with commerce. Would love to see more cultural performances from other Himalayan regions included to make it even more diverse.
V
Vikram J.
The article mentions 2000+ temples in HP! That's incredible. We should have special tourism packages covering these heritage sites. Maybe a "Temple Trail" like the Buddhist circuit? Our culture is our biggest soft power.
S
Sunita R.
While celebrations are good, I hope authorities ensure women's safety in such large gatherings. Also, would be nice to see more information about the history of Goddess Shoolini - many younger people may not know the significance.

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Tags:
Shoolini fair Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Sukhu Goddess Shoolini Solan festival Indian festivals