SIRMUR

One striking feature is that there is no rigidity or exclusiveness in the devotees so far as their presiding deity isconcerned. A devotee of Lord Shiva will equally be attracted to the Devi temples. Another particular feature about the district is that the priestly functions are not exclusive to the Brahmins. It is the Rajputs who work as the priests in many temples. In some, the priests belong to castes other than Brahmins or Rajputs, for some of the temples the worshipper has to bring his own Bhat to do the rituals.

The Rainka fair has to be mentioned at the very beginning as this is fair wheredifferent images are brought from different places and worshipped. The fair is held on the eleventh of the bright half of moon "Deo- Uthni Akadshi" in Kartik month lasting two days. As many as twelve images are brought to the temple on that occasion.

Four of Paras Ram, one each from Jamu and Kataha in Rainka tahsil, and Dugana in Paonta tahsil; three images of Shirigul, from Manal Deva in Rainka, and from Shaya (tahsil Pachhad) and from Jaitak (Nahan tahsil); the images of La Devi from Birlah (Nahan), of Manar Devi from Manaria, and of Naina Devi from Bhaila (tahsil Rainka) and the images of the deities Gau from Kotla Molar, and of the Barah Rupi from Kando Ungar (Rainka tahsil).

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