Fairs and Festivals of Himachal
Ages of rich tradition, warm and hospitable people, a landscape of breathtaking variety and beauty - all combine to pack each year in Himachal with a variety of fairs, festivals and celebrations. There are some 200 deities worshiped in Himachal and numerous fairs and festivals are held in their honour. There are others that began as if just yesterday - and have added their colours to the grand collage. From religion to trade, from seasons to sports-and month by month - here is joyous celebration of life.
The spirit of Himachal Pradesh is in its fairs and festivals. The joyous celebration of life is seen in these festivities. A broad classification is given below and the names of the towns associated with the Mela given here under are not necessarily the be-all and end-all. These are celebrated all over the State but are more pronounced in the places mentioned below:
A. Religious :
Dussehra of Kullu : Kullu Dussehra is the renowned International Mega Dussehra festival observed in the month of October in Himachal Pradesh state in northern India. Wherein more than 4-5 lac people visits the fair from all across the Globe. It is celebrated in the Dhalpur maidan in the Kullu valley. Dussehra at Kullu commences on the tenth day of the rising moon, i.e. on 'Vijay Dashmi' day itself and continues for seven days. Its history dates back to the 17th century when local King Jagat Singh installed an idol of Raghunath on his throne as a mark of penance. After this, god Raghunath was declared as the ruling deity of the Valley. The State government has accorded the status of International festival to the Kullu Dussehra, which attracts tourists in large numbersTwo hundred deities come to pay homage to Lord Raghunath. International Folk Dance Festival is held at Kullu.
Shivratri of Mandi : Held generally in March. Deities from all parts of Mandi district come and make first stop at Madho Rai temple. A week long celebration in Paddal ground and Seri Manch surcharges the atmosphere.
Holi of Sujanpur (Hamirpur) declares the coming of spring. The riot of colours and the cultural programmes in the evening attract.
Mandi Shivaratri Fair is an annual renowned international fair that is held for 7 days starting with the Hindu festival of Shivaratri, in the Mandi town. The festival is centred on the protector deity of Mandi "Mado Rai" (Lord Vishnu) and Lord Shiva of the Bhootnath temple in Mandi. However, the specific observance of this festival as a fair, starting with Shivaratri, is linked to its ruler Ishwari Sen.
Navratra Melas :
It is held at all the Devi shrines in Himachal Pradesh. The most famous Yatra (pilgrims procession) is that of Mani Mahesh. A chari (pious rod) is taken out from tho temple of Siddh Charpatnath and is taken to ManiMahesh at a height of 4183m. covering a distance ol 98 km on foot.
Baisakhi :
This fair is held at various places in the state. People carry village deity with music procession from one place to another. In upper hills, people perform 'Mala Dance' by joining hands to form a large circle. During day time, some games like archery and wrestling are also played.
Minjar Fair ( Chamba ) :
This festival is held in the month of August on second Sunday. It continues for a week. Minjar ( maize flowers) festival is celebrated in district Chamba at a place 'Chowgan' in Chamba town.Maize flowers, a coconut, a rupee or a smaller coin, a fruit and a few paddy tentacles are offered to Varuna, the god of rain. It is a state fair. It is difficult to say, when the fair first started, but the present form of the fair is attributed to Raja Sahil Verman, who ruled the state in the 10th century A.D.
Naina Devi Fair :
This fair is held in the month of August, at Naina Devi Temple, in district Blaspur, which is 8 km. from the Gangul Power House. This is the most delightful fair in district Bilaspur.
Kullu Dushehra :
Kullu Dushehra mirrors Himachal culture in its entirely.. It clearly shows the lefestyle, love of dance and music of the people in this region. To see the colorful Himachal at one place, Kullu Dushehra is the right place. Although Dushehra is celebrated all over the country, but in Kullu, it has its own distinctive glamour. This is a state fair.People from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh throng to enjoy Kullu Dushehra.
Ladarcha Fair
The headquarters of the Spiti sub division - Kaza organizes the spectacular Ladarcha Fair every August. Kaza falls under the Lahaul and Spiti District in Himachal Pradesh and it wear the festive look every year with the beginning of the Ladarcha Fair. Previously the Kibbar Maidan in Spiti was the venue for this wonderful fair. That time traders from Rampur Busher, Spiti and Ladakh used to bring their products to deal them in the fair. Now because of the closure of the Tibetan Borders, the traders do not visit anymore, forcing the fair to be shifted to Kaza. Kaza was chosen as the venue for its more centralized position.
Chrewal :
It is also known as Prithvi pooja in some places. It is celebrated on the Ist of Bhadon - middle of August. This continues for full one month. The farmers do not yoke oxen during this month. In Kullu, this festival is known as Badranjo. In Chamba, it is called Pathroru. It is a festival of flowers here. This is an occasion of great celebration, particularly for girls who dance on this day.
Renuka Fair :
This fair is celebrated in the month of November for six days in district Sirmaur. It starts ten days after the famous Diwali festival. The legend goes that Parshuram, the youngest son of mother Renuka, used to visit his mother every year. The fair commemorates the annual meeting of Parshuram and Renuka. Parshuram is believed to be the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. One can see the glimpses of hill culture at the fair. Rural people market their produce of walnuts, dried and wet ginger ect. Folk dances, magic show, Kariyala play, thoda dance, wrestling bouts, fire works, police and homeguard's band display, developmental exhibitions, cinema shows and bhajan-kirtan are other attractions of the week long fair. It is a state fair.
Shivratri Fair :
This fair is held in the month of February on Shivratri day in Mandi. Shiva is the chief deity of Himachal Pradesh. This festival is given the greatest importance even in temples all through Himachal Pradesh. This fair continues for a week, with great fun and frolic.On this occasion people bring hundreds of Gods and Goddesses in their Raths. Devotees carry them on shoulders amidst melodious religious songs. People pay their homage to Lord Shiva at famous temple of Bhut Nath in Mandi town. It is a state fair.
Holi Fair :
It is held in the month of March every year. Especially the Holi Mela of Sujanpur in district Hamirpur is very famous. It is the festival of colors. People all over Himachal come to participate in it. A week long fair provides wholesome entertainment through various games, songs, dances, folk dramas and skits performed by local artists/ Business activities are also in full swing throughout the week.
Chintpurni Fair :It is locally known as Mata-Da-Mela ( fair of mother goddess ). It is held in the village Chintpurni near Bharwain ( a hill station on Hoshiarpur-Kangra road in Una district ). According to one legend a certain Mai Das had the first darshan of the Mother goddess who appeared to him as a girl and asked him to perform the Pooja (worship) of the Pindi (idol) of the mother. Henceforth generation after generation, the mother has promised to ward off the worldly worries and anxieties of those worshipping her. On the 8th day during Navratras the offering of Karahi ( sweet halwa prasad ) and Chhattar are made by the devotees.
Sissu Fair : Sissu is a common fair celebrated all over the Buddhist Himalayas. Its main attraction is always a masked dance but because of a part of monastic rituals, it is always staged inside the monastery on the attached courtyard. The fair is celebrated on different dates at different places. At Sissur Gompa it is held in June, at Gemur Gompa in July and at Mani Gompa of Gondhla in August.
Bharmaur Jatra Fair : It is held in district Chamba in the month of August. There is a very colorful crowd in this fair.
Chhitrari Jatra Fair :It is held in district Chamba in the month of September. It is a very famous one day fair and a large number of people gather in this fair from near and far.
Sui Fair : It is held in Chamba town in the month of April. This fair is exclusively for women. There is a temple of Naina Devi where women gather and worship the Devi. Naina was the queen of Raja Sahil Verman. This temple has been constructed at a place where she had sacrificed herself to bring water to Chamba town.
Tara Devi Fair : Durga Devi's temple of Taradevi is located on the ridge of mountain about 8 km. away from Shimla town. The fair is held here on Ashtami in Navratras os Asawin - September or October. This is called Durga Ashtami. A lot of tourists do visit it for its scenic beauty and worship of the famous mother goddess.
Jwalamukhi Fair : The Jwalamukhi fair is held twice a year during Navratras for worship of Durga goddess. It is the most imporatant fair in the Kangra valley. People come with red silken flags (dhwaja) to greet the Mother Goddess. The fair is attributed to the worship of that Eternal Flame which is coming out of earth spontaneously and perpetually.
Dal Fair : It is held on the bank of lake Dal, in the month of August in district Kangra at Dharamshala. This area is also ideal for a day picnic.
Dungri Fair : It is held in district Kullu at Manali in the month of May.
Sarshi Jatra Fair : In district Kullu, at place Naggar in the month of May.
Markanda Fair : In district Bilaspur at place Markanda in the month of April.
Solan Fair : Solan fair is held in the last week of June for three days. This fair is celebrated even before the present Solan town was founded in honour of the goddess 'Shulini' whose temple is situated in the nearby village named Solan Gaon. It attracts traders, sweetsellers, general merchants and other shopkeepers to make brisk business. The highlight of this fair are dancing, singing and wrestling.
Sari Fair : It is held in district Solan at town 'Arki in the month of July. This fair is famous for bull fighting.
Sipi Fair :In district Shimla near Mashobra in the month of May.
Kullu Dussehra: Kullu Dushehra mirrors Himachal culture in its entirely.. It clearly shows the lifestyle, love of dance and music of the people in this region. To see the colorful Himachal at one place, Kullu Dushehra is the right place. Although Dushehra is celebrated all over the country, but in Kullu, it has its own distinctive glamour. This is a state fair.People from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh throng to enjoy Kullu Dushehra
Thalog Fair : This fair is held in the honour of Devta Rahatna whose temples are located at Thalog and Jabna. It is held at the end of Baishkha, in Prgana Jakholi of Chopal. It is 13 km. away from Chamba. The game archery, numerous sweet shops and Jhula are the main attractions like other fairs.
B. Harvest :
Lohri : Lohri or Maghi celebrated all over the State but with fervour at Pragpur, the heritage village, in District Kangra. This traditional mid-winter day commemorates the last sowing of Rabi crops. Lohri :
In some areas, it is also known as Maghi or Saza. It is celebrated on the Ist of Magh - mid January. People celebrate it more as a continuation of the season of festivals. After finishing agricultural activities, they feast and celebrate and avail themselves of the time to meet their relatives. This festival continues for 8 days. On 8th day, people make get together and show social solidarity. Dance and music goes on for the whole night. Rural agrarian traditional Baisakhi on 13th April is celebrated all over Himachal Pradesh. People take a holy dip in any nearby waterland.
Minjar of Chamba
Held in August is celebrated wishing for a good harvest of maize crop.
Phulaich of Ribba (Kinnaur) is synchronized with the growth of flowers in the hillside. People gather flowers in the hillside. People gather the flowers and collect these in the village square where they dance and sing.
C. Trade:
Lavi Fair :
Lavi of Rampur (Shimla) starting on 11th of November is a good market for variety of goods including wool, dry fruits, horses, tweeds and raditional garments-pattus, shawls etc. This fair is held in the month of October or November every at Rampur Bushahr. In ancient, Tibet and Kinnaur had good trade relations and Lavi fair is the outcome of business interest of both sides. People from other areas in general and tribal belt in particular participate in this fair with horses, mules, pashminas, colts, yaks, chilgoza, namdas, pattis, woollens, raw semi-finished wool and other dry fruits produced in the state are brought for selling. It is three hundred years old fair and also a state fair. During day time, hectic trade activities are witnessed all over the town. At night, folks dances and music around small bonfires are organised. It continues for three days.
Nalwari Fair : It is held in district Kullu at Manali in the month of May. It is a very famous fair and a large number of prople gather in this fair from near and far.
Solan Fair : Solan fair is held in the last week of June for three days. This fair is celebrated even before the present Solan town was founded in honour of the goddess 'Shulini' whose temple is situated in the nearby village named Solan Gaon. It attracts traders, sweetsellers, general merchants and other shopkeepers to make brisk business. The highlight of this fair are dancing, singing and wrestling.
The Nalwari Fair : This fair is held in the month of march every year. The idea of this fair was conceived by W. Goldstein. He was the Superintendent of Shimla Hill States in 1889. The idea was motivated by a shortage of the good breed cattle, especiaaly bullocks. Now this fair has become more a business opportunity event. It is a state fair.
Buffalo Fair : In district Shimla at village Kufri near Mashobra in the month of September.
D. Seasonal :
Shimla's summer festival : Starting from the last of May for five days provides entertainment to the tourists come to the town to get relief from the scroching heat of the plains.
localite.
Rafting Cup : Every year the month of March in Himachal Pradesh awaits the adrenal gush of Rafting Cup. The enchantment that is unique to river rafting in Himachal Pradesh. The unbound and breathtaking thrill in the untamed river beckons teams from different countries to this International Rafting Championship. The Indian Rafting Foundation in association with The International Rafting Federation organizes the Rafting Cup in the Sutlej River at a distance of about 70 kms from Shimla. Here, the white water rafting starts from Pandoha and ends in Tattapani.
A plethora of rich culture, warm hospitable people and a stunning landscape all combine to color Himachal Pradesh with a variety of fairs, festivals and events.
Some of these have come down hand in hand with age-old tradition while some others have developed with the adventure sports in recent times. Statistics reveal that more than 2000 festivals and events are held each year in Himachal Pradesh and the number is constantly increasing. The fairs and festivals are a riot of colors against the picturesque landscape. These festivals and events of Himachal Pradesh are rich in culture, tradition and heritage. They bring forth the religion, rituals, belief and are abound in folk songs, dance forms and other lucid expressions of the people of Himachal Pradesh.
Nature has endowed Himachal Pradesh with immense natural beauty with magnificent mountains, gorgeous rivers and deep gorges all of which are viable for adventure sports. Such exciting activties are immensely popular in Himachal Pradesh and has given rise to many events and carnivals centering around them.
The simple Himachali people like to celebrate each and every moment of life. In remote places when winter brings life to a standstill, the fairs, festivals and events brings the fun and frolic. Thus, these festivals and events are inseparable parts of Himachal Pradesh society.