Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday inaugurated the century-old Shoolini fair here in Himachal Pradesh on Friday.
A colourful procession that started from the Shoolini temple marked the beginning of three-day-long fair named after Goddess Shoolini, the presiding deity of Solan.
The event marks the three-day sojourn of Goddess Shoolini to her elder sister Goddess Durga's place located in the town.
Prominent artistes will perform during the fair to entertain the audience.
The procession of the Shoolini fair lacks traditional appeal as the palanquin of goddess Shoolini now has only one idol instead of three as two of them were stolen from the Shoolini temple in 2008.
Of the eight idols, only three were traditionally taken out in the palanquin during the fair.
It is believed that the fair was started about 100 years ago by the then ruler of the erstwhile Baghat state to promote trade and cultural activities in the region.
--IANS
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