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The fair started in 935 A. D. when the Raja of
Chamba defeated the ruler of "Trigarta,"
now known as Kangra. On his return, a celebration was held, and he was
greeted by people with sherfs of paddy and maze.
A Former Ritual
Held in August, this lively fair once began on a macabre note. Upto 1943,
a live Buffalo was pushed into the River Ravi. If the rushing waters swept
it away, it would be seen as a propitious sign - the sacrifice had been
accepted. If the hapless animal managed to struggle its way to the
opposite bank that too would be taken as a good sign - all bad luck now
stood transferred to the other side.
Today, the Buffalo's place has been taken by a Rupee, a coconut, a
seasonal fruit and a golden silk Minjar wrapped in a red cloth. The fair
has become a celebration of the young paddy and maize shoots that emerge
out of the soil towards the end of July and it is a joyous prayer for a
good harvest.
The Celebrations
The Minjar symbol that is worn by all who throng towards Chamba's
Chowgan, resembles the stands of a corn-cob and is normally made of silk.
On the first day of the fair, the image of Lord Raghuvira arrives. This is
followed by images of other local Devtas, deities and their insignias.
Legend
Coupled with agricultural expectations, the Minjar fair it is said, has
come down the ages to commemorate Raja Sahil Verman's victory over the
ruler of adjoining "Tirgata" now kown as Kangra. It was the
defeated king who symbolically presented the ruler of Chamba with fresh
sprouts of paddy and maize.
A variation of the story declares that the river Ravi used to flow near
the Hari Rai temple. There was a great sage who crossed the river everyday
to pray at the temple, Raja Sahil Verman approached him and asked him to
make the temple accessible to everyone. For a week, the sage held a Yajna
of uninterrupted prayers and all the while he wove a long multicoloured
cord - the original Minjar, which was cast upon the waters. The Ravi
changed its course and everyone was able to reach the Hari Rai temple.
Today, this fair hosts a week of unbroken festivity. Dancers swirl, bands
play, the traditional "Kunjari Malhar" are sung and the stalls
in the open marketplace bustle with activity.