Celebrations of Life: Festivals and Fairs

Himachal Pradesh is a land of vibrant festivities, where fairs and festivals are an integral part of the socio-cultural and religious life of its people. These celebrations, numbering in the hundreds, are occasions for communal gathering, religious observance, trade, and expressions of joy, often marked by traditional music, dance, and colorful attire.⁴ Many festivals are linked to the agricultural cycle, seasonal changes, or local deities, underscoring the deep connection between the people, their environment, and their faith.

A. Major State and International Level Fairs & Festivals

Several fairs and festivals in Himachal Pradesh have gained prominence not only within the state but also nationally and internationally, attracting large numbers of tourists and devotees.

1. Kullu Dussehra

• Timing and Duration: The internationally acclaimed Kullu Dussehra is celebrated with great fervor in the month of October. It commences on Vijay Dashmi, the tenth day of the rising moon (which usually falls in October), and continues for seven days. For instance, in 2024, it was scheduled from October 7th to 15th.
• Location: The grand celebrations unfold at Dhalpur Maidan in the picturesque Kullu Valley.
• History: The historical roots of Kullu Dussehra trace back to the 17th century. It is said that the local ruler, Raja Jagat Singh, in an act of penance, installed an idol of Lord Raghunath (Lord Rama) on his throne and declared Lord Raghunath as the ruling deity of the Kullu Valley. This tradition continues to this day. Another legend associates the festival with Lord Rama’s visit to the Kullu valley during his period of exile.
• Significance: Kullu Dussehra is recognized as an International Mega Dussehra festival, drawing an estimated 4-5 lakh people from across the globe. It primarily symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, commemorating Lord Rama’s victory over the demon king Ravana. A unique and defining feature of this festival is the congregation of over two hundred local deities (devtas and devis) from various parts of the Kullu valley, who are brought in beautifully decorated palanquins to pay homage to Lord Raghunath. This assembly of deities is a remarkable spectacle, showcasing the living tradition of deity worship in the region.
• Rituals: The festival commences with the worship of Raghunathji at Sultanpur on the first day of Navratri. The highlight is the grand procession of the assembled deities on their palanquins to the Dhalpur grounds. Traditional Nati dance performances are an integral part of the celebrations. The festival also includes the symbolic burning of effigies representing evil forces, such as Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna, and his son Meghnath. A unique ritual associated with Kullu Dussehra is the sacrifice of a buffalo (Bali), traditionally performed to appease Goddess Hadimba, who is believed to be the protector of the valley.
• Other Attractions: An International Folk Dance Festival is held as part of Kullu Dussehra, showcasing diverse folk traditions. The fairgrounds also feature numerous stalls offering local handicrafts, art, and traditional Himachali cuisine.

2. Minjar Mela, Chamba

• Timing and Duration: The Minjar Mela is an important fair held in Chamba town, typically in the month of July or August. It commences on the second Sunday of the Hindu month of Sawan and continues for a week.
• Location: The main festivities take place at the Chowgan, a large public ground in Chamba town.
• History: The origins of the Minjar Mela are attributed to Raja Sahil Verman, the founder of Chamba town, in the 10th century AD. Another account links its inception to the victory of Raja Pratap Singh Varman of Chamba over the King of Trigarta (now Kangra) in 935 AD, with locals greeting the victorious king with sheaves of paddy and maize. The fair traditionally marks the harvesting of the maize crop.
• Significance: The Minjar Mela is recognized as a state fair and has also been granted international status. It commemorates the harvest season and historical events, serving as a vibrant expression of Chamba’s cultural identity.
• Rituals: The term “Minjar” refers to the tassels of maize (corn) or silk. A key ritual involves the offering of Minjar (maize flowers or silk tassels), a coconut, a rupee coin, a fruit, and a few paddy tentacles to Varuna, the god of rain, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest and prosperity. These Minjar tassels, representing the golden silk of maize, are also exchanged among friends and family as a symbol of good luck and affection. The fair begins with the hoisting of the Minjar flag at the Chowgan. A grand procession, known as the Shobha Yatra, is a major highlight. It is led by a decorated chariot carrying the image of Lord Raghuvir and other local deities, accompanied by folk dancers, musicians, and devotees in traditional attire. The procession traditionally starts from the Akhand Chandi Palace and culminates near the Police Lines in Nalhora. At the culmination, the chief guest, often the heir of the erstwhile royal family, makes a symbolic offering to the Ravi River, consisting of a coconut, a rupee, a seasonal fruit, and a Minjar tied in a red piece of cloth called Lohan. Devotees also offer prayers at the historic Lakshmi Narayan Temple during the fair. In the past, a buffalo sacrifice was a customary part of the rituals, but this practice has now been discontinued.

3. Lavi Fair, Rampur Bushahr (Shimla)

• Timing: The main Lavi Fair is held annually from November 11th to 14th, although the trade fair itself often runs throughout the month of November.
• Location: The fair takes place in Rampur Bushahr, with main traders setting up stalls at Part Bungalow and night functions often held at the Padam Government Senior Secondary School grounds.
• History: The Lavi Fair boasts a rich history, with its origins traced back almost 400 years to a significant trade treaty signed in the late 17th century (between 1679 and 1684) between Raja Kehari Singh of the erstwhile Bushahr state and the government of Tibet (Lhasa, then under the 5th Dalai Lama). As a token of this friendship and trade agreement, horses from Tibet and swords from Bushahr were exchanged. This treaty facilitated robust trade relations, making Rampur a vital stopover point on the old trade routes connecting the Indian plains with Kinnaur, Tibet, Ladakh, and even Afghanistan. It is considered one of the oldest fairs in India. The word ‘Lavi’ is believed to be derived from the word ‘Loe,’ meaning a sheet of woolen cloth, or from the term for shearing of sheep, indicating its strong connection to the wool trade.
• Significance: The Lavi Fair is historically one of the most important trade and commercial fairs not only for Shimla district but for the entire state of Himachal Pradesh. It served as a crucial platform for the sale of goods imported from Tibet and for the exchange of local produce and crafts. Items traditionally traded include woolen shawls, blankets, dry fruits (like almonds and apricots), pashmina wool, livestock (especially horses like the Chamurthi breed from Spiti), salt, and jaggery.
• Features: Beyond its commercial importance, the Lavi Fair is a vibrant cultural event. The fairgrounds transform into a bustling marketplace where vendors from various regions display their goods. It also features colorful parades, traditional music, folk dances, and serves as a platform for cultural exchange and social interaction among diverse communities.

4. Shivratri Fair, Mandi

• Timing and Duration: The Mandi Shivratri Fair is an annual international event that generally takes place in March. It commences on the auspicious day of Maha Shivratri and continues for seven days.
• Location: The fair is celebrated in Mandi town, which is often referred to as “Chhoti Kashi” (Little Varanasi) or the “Varanasi of the Hills” due to its numerous ancient temples. The main celebrations occur at the Paddal ground and Seri Manch.
• History: The fair’s origins are linked to several rulers of Mandi. Raja Ajber Sen (16th century) built the Bhootnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is central to the Shivratri celebrations. Raja Suraj Sen later built the Madhav Rai Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Madho Rai, and ordained Madho Rai as the King and protector deity of the Mandi state. However, the specific tradition of holding the fair starting on Shivratri is linked to Raja Ishwari Sen (late 18th/early 19th century). After being released from 12 years of imprisonment, he returned to Mandi, and a grand reception was held, which coincided with the Shivratri festival, marking the beginning of this annual fair.
• Significance: This fair holds international renown. Its most distinctive feature is the assembly of more than 200 deities (devtas and devis) from various parts of Mandi district, who are brought in ornate palanquins to participate in the festivities. The fair is centered around the worship of Lord Shiva at the Bhootnath temple and the principal deity of Mandi, Madho Rai (Lord Vishnu). This highlights a religious synthesis combining Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions.
• Rituals: The assembled deities, decorated with glittering drapery, first visit the Madho Rai temple to pay obeisance to Lord Vishnu. They then proceed to the palace in a colorful procession called the Shoba Yatra (locally known as ‘Zareb’) to honor the ruler (the present-day representative of the erstwhile royal family). The ruler, in turn, pays homage to Lord Shiva at the Bhootnath temple, where the main Shivratri festival is held. The palanquins of the deities are swayed to the rhythm of drum beats and folk music. A Jagaran (night-long vigil with worship and music) is held on the penultimate day, during which a guru and his disciple make prophecies for the coming year. On the last day, after prayers and obeisance to Lord Shiva, all the assembled deities depart for their original abodes, and chadars (devotional drapery offerings) are made. It is believed that Rishi Kamru Nag, the local god of rains and the presiding deity of Maha Shivaratri, watches the proceedings from the Tarna Ma temple located atop Tarna hill for the entire seven days.
• Other Aspects: The fair is also an occasion for brisk trade in local products such as wool, opium (historically), honey, walnuts, and ghee. It is said to promote the region’s handcrafted jewelry.

The international recognition of these major fairs underscores their significant economic impact through tourism and trade, transforming them from purely local or religious events into broader cultural and commercial platforms. The active participation of deities in fairs like Kullu Dussehra and Mandi Shivratri is a unique characteristic, reflecting the living tradition of deity worship and their integral role in the community life of “Dev Bhoomi.”

B. Important Regional and Tribal Festivals

Beyond the major international fairs, Himachal Pradesh is home to a rich variety of regional and tribal festivals that mark specific cultural practices, religious beliefs, and seasonal transitions.

1. Losar Festival

• Region: Losar is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the tribal belt of Himachal Pradesh where there is a significant Buddhist population, particularly in Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti.⁴ Specific locations include the Dorje Drak Monastery in Shimla, Tsuglagkhang Temple in McLeod Ganj (Dharamshala), and Shashur Monastery in Spiti Valley.
• Timing: This festival marks the Tibetan New Year and usually falls in late January or February, according to the Tibetan lunar calendar. For example, in 2025, it was scheduled from February 28th to March 2nd.
• Origin: Losar has ancient roots, originating in the pre-Buddhist Bon religion of Tibet as an agrarian festival celebrated when apricot trees blossomed.
• Significance: For Tibetan Buddhists, Losar is a celebration of the New Year, a time for harvesting crops (symbolically), warding off evil spirits, and pleasing local deities for fortune and well-being. It also commemorates the assassination of Langdarma, a cruel 9th-century Tibetan king who persecuted Buddhism.
• Rituals: Losar festivities typically span three days :
  • Preparations: Houses are thoroughly cleaned and colorfully adorned. Thorn branches are often hung at doorways to ward off negative energy.
  • Religious Observances: Devotees visit monasteries to offer prayers and pay respects to their spiritual head, the Dalai Lama.
  • Chham Dance: A special masked dance called ‘Chham’ is performed, often depicting the killing of the evil king Langdarma. Dancers wear intricate masks, headgear, and colorful costumes.
  • Methi Procession: A procession where people carry flaming torches, chant slogans to bid farewell to the old year, and then throw the torches away to prevent evil from entering the community in the new year.
  • Offerings and Feasting: People seek blessings from monks and offer them gifts. Families gather for special dinners, which include traditional Tibetan culinary treats like Kapse (a type of ceremonial cake or biscuit) and Guthuk (a special noodle and dumpling soup). These meals are often enjoyed with Chang, a local alcoholic beverage.

2. Halda Festival

• Region: The Halda festival is a traditional celebration unique to the Lahaul-Spiti district, particularly observed with enthusiasm in the Pattan, Chandra, and Gahar valleys.
• Timing: This festival is typically a month-long event that begins in January. The exact dates can vary slightly; in the Gahar valley, the date is fixed by a Lama, while in the Pattan valley, it is often celebrated on the day of Magh Purnima (full moon in the Hindu month of Magha). Generally, it takes place during the second and third week of January.
• Significance: Halda heralds the New Year for the Lahauli people and is celebrated to seek blessings from local deities for a good harvest in the upcoming agricultural season and to ward off evil spirits from the villages. It holds a significance for the people of Lahaul similar to what Diwali holds for Hindus in other parts of India. Shiskar Apa, the Lamaistic goddess of wealth, is worshipped during this festival, akin to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali.
• Rituals: A key ritual of the Halda festival is the preparation and lighting of a special torch called ‘Halda’. These torches are made from pencil cedar branches, which are cut into strips and tied together in bundles. The number of torches created often corresponds to the number of male members in each family. Once lit, the Halda torches are placed in the homes of villagers, where families gather to perform rituals, sing, dance, and celebrate the occasion. In some traditions, two or three persons from every home come out holding these burning sticks of pencil cedar, gather at a predetermined place fixed by the Lamas, and pile the burning sticks into a bonfire. These are later thrown in the direction of specific villages like Goshal and Khardung. The festival also features a unique ritual known as the Asur Dance (Demon Dance), performed on the last day of the Halda festival in Khangsar village, located in the Chandra valley. According to local folklore, this dance originated in ancient times to protect human settlements from demons.

3. Sazo Festival

• Region: Sazo is an ancient and significant festival celebrated in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Timing: This religious festival is celebrated annually in the month of January.
• Significance: The Sazo festival is observed to mark the occasion when local deities are believed to depart for a temporary sojourn in heaven. The day of the festival is considered very sacred and auspicious by the locals.
• Rituals: On the day of Sazo, people take ritualistic baths in natural hot springs, and some even go to the Satluj River to cleanse their bodies and souls. Temples and houses throughout the region are thoroughly cleaned, as it is believed that these sites become the resting places of the deities on this day before their celestial journey. The main temple doors are kept closed, and priests go from door to door offering blessings to the households. The family deity is worshipped at home three times during the day. In the morning, food prepared using only grains and vegetables is offered to the deity. The deity is worshipped again in the afternoon. In the evening, people take their gods and goddesses (idols or symbols) outside their homes and pray for their blessings. Offerings of ‘wine’ (local brew) and ‘halwa’ (a sweet dish) are made during this holy ritual, which is then followed by vigorous celebrations involving traditional music and dance. After the rituals and celebrations are over, it is believed that the deities commence their journey towards heaven, often associated with the majestic Kinnaur Kailash mountains. Priests are deeply worshipped during Sazo, as they are considered representatives of the gods, and are offered grains and other food items as a mark of respect. (It is important to distinguish the Himachali Sazo festival from a Zoroastrian festival of the same name which involves bonfires called ‘Adaran’ ; the Kinnauri Sazo focuses on the deities’ departure.)

4. Phulaich / Ukhyang (Festival of Flowers)

• Region: This distinctive festival is celebrated in the Kinnaur district.
• Significance: As the name suggests (Phul meaning flower), the Phulaich festival celebrates flowers and is a vibrant display of Kinnaur’s connection with nature. It is usually held in autumn (September/October). Villagers go to the mountainsides to collect wildflowers, which are then offered to the local deities. The festival also involves remembering ancestors.

5. Other Significant Festivals:

• Sair Festival: Celebrated in mid-September across Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, and Solan districts, this centuries-old festival marks the end of the crop harvest. A significant ritual involves the removal of Rakhi threads (tied during Raksha Bandhan) which are then offered to Mother Sairi (a local deity or representation of harvest).
• Nalwari Fair (Bilaspur): Held in March, this was originally a cattle trading fair. While cattle are still traded, the fair has evolved into a time for general festivities, sports, and is particularly known for its wrestling bouts that draw large crowds.
• Holi Festival: Celebrated with great enthusiasm, similar to other parts of North India. Fairs are organized in Palampur (Kangra) and Sujanpur (Hamirpur). A notable celebration occurs at Paonta Sahib in Sirmour district, where Hindu and Sikh pilgrims come together at the famous Gurudwara associated with Guru Gobind Singh to celebrate Holi.
• Navratri Fairs (March-April): The springtime Navratris (nine nights dedicated to Goddess Durga) are a period of intense religious fervor. Large numbers of pilgrims visit revered Shaktipeeth temples, including Naina Devi ji in Bilaspur, Chintpurni Devi in Una, Bajreshwari Devi in Kangra, Jwalamukhi temple at Jwalamukhi, and Chamunda Devi temple at Chamunda. The Balasundari fair in Trilokpur near Nahan (Sirmour) and worship at Baglamukhi temple in Bankhandi (Kangra) are also prominent during this time. Community feasts are a common part of these nine-day celebrations.
• Deotsidh Fair (Hamirpur/Bilaspur border): A month-long religious fair held in March and April at the hilltop cave shrine of Baba Balak Nath at Deotsidh (Seo).
• Baisakhi (13th April): Celebrated on the threshold of summer, Baisakhi follows the solar calendar. Many village fairs are held, featuring traditional sports like wrestling, dancing, and archery competitions. In the upper hills, people perform the ‘Mala Dance’ by joining hands to form a large circle.
• Rali Festival (Kangra): Celebrated in April, this festival commemorates a beautiful maiden named Rali who, according to legend, leaped into a stream after being married against her wishes, followed by her groom and brothers, none of whom survived. Clay models of all three are made, and maidens pray to these models for grooms of their choice, while newly-wedded women pray for happiness and prosperity.
• Sui Mela (Chamba): Held at the Sui Mata Temple overlooking Chamba town, this festival commemorates a queen of Chamba (traditionally believed to be Rani Naina Devi, wife of Raja Sahil Verman) who sacrificed her life in the 10th century to end the town’s water scarcity. The fair is uniquely celebrated only by women and children, who take a day out to pay obeisance at this temple. Stalls displaying local merchandise also feature prominently.
• Mahu Nag Fair (Karsog, Mandi): A significant fair held in April at Taraur village of Karsog, drawing large crowds. The local deity, Mahu Nag, arrives in a palanquin carried by devotees, accompanied by a procession dancing to the lively drum beats of local bands.
• Spring/Summer Fairs (May): Several fairs mark the arrival of spring and summer. These include a religious fair at Markandeya Temple near Bilaspur; the Jatar fair in Rohru commemorating the local deity Shikhru; the Kullu Spring Festival; the Dhoongri fair in Manali in honor of Goddess Hadimba Devi (presiding deity of Manali); Banjar and Sainj fairs in the Parvati-Tirthan valley of Kullu; and the Sipi Fair held at the Sipur glade below Mashobra, near Shimla.

C. Socio-Cultural and Economic Importance of Festivals and Fairs

The festivals and fairs of Himachal Pradesh are not merely occasions for celebration; they play a crucial socio-cultural and economic role in the lives of the people.

• Cultural Exchange and Preservation: They serve as vital platforms for the preservation and showcase of traditional music, dance, rituals, and folk arts, passing them down through generations. Events like the International Folk Dance Festival during Kullu Dussehra highlight this aspect.
• Social Cohesion: These gatherings reinforce community bonds, bringing people from different villages and backgrounds together, fostering a sense of shared identity and collective joy.
• Religious Significance: Many fairs are centered around deities and religious observances, strengthening faith and providing opportunities for collective worship and pilgrimage. The unique phenomenon of numerous deities assembling at fairs like Kullu Dussehra and Mandi Shivratri underscores their active role in community life, far beyond being mere idols confined to temples.