Kumarsain Fair (Jatar)

According to legends Koteshwar Mahadev is one of the avtara of Lord Shiva. Mahadev come out of the temple only once in 4 years, and a great fair takes place, hence also known as "Chaar-sala-mela". Four Gods starts this fair Marechh, Malandu, Koteshwar (Naya Devta & Budha Devta). All the four palanquins can be seen moving all around the fairground, which will be filled more than capacity with humble devotees of Koteshwar Mahadev. Young and old residents of Kumarsain comes before palanquins to carry them and feel lucky to get a chance even for few seconds watching the entire proceedings with devotion, excitement and curiosity. Koteshwar Mahadev who is believed to be scared soul blessed by Lord Shiva himself and one is considered King of the area of Kumarsain, a small town around 75 kilometers up north from Shimla. In this festival Koteshwar Mahadev would meet his other loving deities Marechh and Malendu Devtaa. A great fair is held here in months of August and September and thousands of devotees of Lord Shiva come here to worship him. Kumarsain Jatar is of 8 days in which Gods stays for 5 days in Kumarsain and for 3 days in Mandholi. On first day, at 4 am Koteshwar Mahadev and Marich Devta are taken out from Sharkot and then they are taken to their main temples and come back on the last day of the fair. The festival ends with the Nati i.e. local dance performed by the people of Kumarsain.