Centuries of monsoon ritual met a sea of colour on the banks of the Ravi River as the International Minjar Mela drew to a ceremonial close in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, 2 August 2026 — and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was there to mark every moment of it.

Sukhu described a grand procession that wound from the historic Akhand Chandi Palace to Manjari Garden, filling the route with folk performers, traditionally dressed men and women, tourists, and contingents of Himachal Pradesh Police and Home Guards. The air, he wrote, rang with the melodious notes of traditional instruments — madhur dhwani (sweet sound) — turning the entire atmosphere festive.

The Minjar offering and what it means

At the heart of the closing ritual is the Minjar itself — a silk tassel that symbolises the ripening of the paddy crop. Following tradition, a Minjar wrapped in red cloth, accompanied by seasonal fruits and coins, was immersed in the Ravi River with prayers for peace, prosperity, and a good harvest across the state and the nation. The offering is the emotional and spiritual anchor of the entire week-long fair, connecting Chamba's residents to an agricultural calendar that stretches back generations.

The Minjar Mela is one of Himachal Pradesh's most prominent district-level cultural events, drawing visitors who come specifically to witness its preserved royal procession traditions rooted in Chamba's princely past.

Dignitaries who gathered at Chamba

The closing ceremony brought together a notable roll call of political and civic figures. Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, State Planning Board Vice-Chairman Bhawani Singh Pathania, and MLA Neeraj Nayyar were among those present. MLA Hardeep Baba, District Congress President Surjit Bharmouri, APMC Chamba Chairman Lalit Thakur, and Congress leaders Yashwant Khanna and Amit Bharmouri also attended, reflecting the breadth of institutional participation the event commands.

Chamba's cultural calendar and the state's stake in it

Himachal Pradesh governments have long made a point of participating visibly in district fairs — not merely as patrons but as active participants in the rituals themselves. For Chamba, a district whose identity is inseparable from its folk and royal heritage, the Minjar Mela is a statement of continuity. The state's emphasis on preserving regional customs also feeds directly into its tourism narrative, with festivals like this one serving as living showcases of Himachali culture.

As the Minjar sank into the Ravi and the procession dispersed, Chamba closed another chapter of an unbroken tradition — and the state government made certain it was seen standing beside it.