Amb (Una): The three-day Mata Shri Chintpurni Mahotsav, organised at the Amb fairground to promote religious and cultural tourism, concluded on Sunday with great fervour. The second edition of the festival drew an overwhelming response from devotees and visitors. Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest. Chintpurni MLA Sudarshan Bablu, Chairman of the State Scheduled Castes Commission Kuldeep Dhiman, Commission member Vijay Dogra, and District Congress President Ranjit Rana were also present.
The festival was inaugurated on 14 November by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. Artists from within the state and across the country captivated audiences with their performances during the three cultural evenings. Thousands of devotees and tourists participated, contributing to the grand success of the event. Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal honoured the chief guest and other distinguished attendees at the closing ceremony.
Assembly Speaker extends congratulations
In his address, Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania expressed happiness over the successful conclusion of the Mahotsav and congratulated the organisers and devotees. He said festivals like this help strengthen society’s cultural connection, adding that communities rooted in culture progress in the truest sense. He emphasised that Himachal Pradesh is a land enriched with divine traditions, home to sacred temples and deities, and it is the responsibility of all to preserve this rich cultural heritage with pride.
He also appreciated the efforts of Chintpurni MLA Sudarshan Singh Bablu in ensuring the successful organisation of the festival. Referring to criticism from some quarters, he said that criticism is a natural part of life and often signals the growing popularity of any initiative. The massive turnout itself, he added, stands as the strongest testimony to the festival’s success.
MLA Bablu’s message to critics
MLA Sudarshan Bablu thanked the district and sub-divisional administration for their support and said that such festivals help strengthen the region’s cultural identity. He urged critics to adopt a positive approach and celebrate the success of the event.
He asserted that opposition to a festival held in the name of Mata Chintpurni would not deter them. Similar festivals are held across the country in the name of deities without objection, yet criticism is directed only at this event. He announced that in the coming years, the Mahotsav will be organised on an even larger and more vibrant scale.
Police Superintendent Amit Yadav, SDM Amb Sachin Sharma, prominent citizens, locals, and a large gathering of devotees were present on the occasion.