A journey through Himachal holds the promise of a deep and refreshing communion with nature in its varying beauty. The lush river valleys surrounded by snowcapped peaks, the fruit orchards, gurgling streams and dense forests that echo with laden birdsongs evoke enchantment and delight.
The traditions and culture of Himachal are as richly diverse and fascinating as the landscapes, and find an expression in a variety of rituals and festivals as well as innumerable books and documentaries written about it, which beckon the tourists to visit this beautiful state. Winter’s snowflakes and the warmth of Himachal’s hospitality combine to make a scintillating beginning for any traveler looking to head for this state.
Each month brings to you a new face of Himachal. If you are a summer traveler you will witness the grandness of the Summer Festival and if you plan to pack your stuff during the winter months you are welcomed by the white blanket during the colourful Christmas display. Here you will be enlightened about the festivals of Himachal as per the monthly calendar starting from January up to December.
January: Lohri or Maghi, on 14th January is celebrated to commemorate the land sowing of the rabi crop. Neighbours gather around a bonfire and folksongs are sung while dancing continues till late hours of the night. The Makar Sankranti is celebrated with equal enthusiasm in the neighbouring states. This month also marks the beginning of the Helisking season in the Solang Valley.
February: The month of February has its own special extravaganza with the beginning of the winter carnival at Manali, a very famous hill town of Shimla. The Baba Barbhag Singh Mela is held at Una in the honour of a sage who was renowned for his magical powers. The arrival of Spring and all its joy can be witnessed at Kangra and Hamirpur on Basan Panchami.
March: The ever so famous Shivratri Fair marks the month of March. Beautifully decorated local deities are carried to Mandi, accompanied by folk bands. They stop at the Madho Rai Temple and pay salutations to Lord Shiva at the Boothnath Temple. The atmosphere is charged with deep religious devotional songs, music and drama. The festival of Holi adds colour and vitality in the lives of the people. Especially on this day both Hindu’s and Sikh’s visit the famous shrine of Paonta Sahib on the banks of River Yamuna in district Sirmour. Nalwari Fair in Bilaspur attracts attention as cattle are traded while wrestling bouts are held for entertainment.
April: Baisakhi marks the arrival of April which is an important agrarian festival. People take purifying dips in water at Tattapani near Shimla, Rewalsar and Pushkar Lakes near Mandi and especially visit Paonta Sahib. People from various villages compete in dancing, wrestling and archery contests. The holy Markandya Fair is held near Bilaspur ad the famous Sui Mela in Chamba. The Rohru Jatar Fair is held in the honour of the deity Shikru in Rohru. This season also sees an increase in the number of tourists as melting snow gives way to adventure sports such as fishing, trekking, water rafting, and so on.
May: Dhungri fair reserved for the month of May is held in the honour of Humra Devi who enjoys the privilege of having her own festival. This festival is held at the Dhungri Forest at the famous Hadimba Devi Temple in Mandi in mid-May. It lasts for three days with thousands of men, women and children spending the days in dance and music. The charming Sipi Fair held in Mashobra near Shimla marks the marriage alliance of innumerable bachelors who come to this fair in search of brides.
June: This month witnesses a wide spectrum of national talent and a variety of programmes with the beginning of the Summer Festival. The tourists have a variety to choose from such as dance festivals, Red Cross Fair, sports tournaments and flower shows are some of the main attractions. Ghantal festival is held at the Guru Ghantal Monastry at Lahaul in June’s moon night. The villagers host a large fair while the masked dancers commemorate the victory over the Tibetan king Langadrama, an enemy of Busshism.
July: The advent of the monsoon rains of Rhayali announces the beginning of the month of July. Under the gaze of high mountains and by the side of swift streams, for the people of Lahaul-Spiti every moment is a joyous celebration of life. At Kaza’s Ladercha Fair, the old trade routes come alive as traders barter and sell a variety of produce. In Lahaul-Spiti, the strong Buddhist influence casts its rich hues over every festival. It also heralds the travelling and trekking season of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti which lie in the Trans-Himalayas. In the honour of Banar Devta of Shari, the Rampuri Jatar is held near Jubbal in Shimla District in mid-July. Another attraction of this month is the Sair Fair at Arki (Solan) which marks the Bull Fights.
August: Brings with it the Shrawan Fair at the Shrine of Naina Devi in Bilaspur. In Lahaul valley, the Pauri Festival centres around the Triloknath Temple which is sacred to Hndus and Buddhists alike. Chamba’s famous Minjar Fair which celebrates the bounty of nature and a week long festival is celebrated to appease the God of Rain. Munjaries-maize shoot or silken strands are cast on the water of the River Ravi and the town immerses itself in a week of celebrations. Marked by gaiety, sport and cultural activties, the locals can be seen making merry in local attires and colourful costumes. The Lakshmi Devi Temple in Manimahesh is one of the most ancient and beautiful in Himachal. In August/September a Charri Yatra begins from Chamba and ends here. Gugga Fair which is connected with the worship of Gugga, the Naagdevta is celebrated in several places in Bilaspur, Chamba and Mandi. Badranjo and Patroru is a festival of fire and flowers and a time of purification for the fields which is celebrated in Chamba and Kullu.
September: Sees the end of rains and blazes the sky racing through the hills. At the village of Chhatrari near Chamba, a fair is held and masked dances performed at the Shakti Devi Temple. This temple is dedicated to Shakti, which houses a sanctuary and a colonnade that preserves early examples of carved woodwork. In Kinnaur, the festival of flowers Phulech opens a window to its people and their beautiful land. Phulech symbolizes the end of summer, and the last flowers of the season are collected from pastures. It also marks the migration of flocks to the plains. Then follows the ritual of singing, dancing and feasting. The Kangra Valley celebrates the festival of Sair and at Nurpur, under the watchful walls of the old fort, the Nagini Fair bids the summer farewell. Near Shimla just beyond Mashobra, at the village of Dhagoghi the Jhote Ka Mela with buffalo fights is held.
October: It is the most awaited month of the year. Dussehra is one of the most celebrated festivals in Kullu and begins on the day when this festival is over in the plains. It marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. Devotees carrying gold and silver images of Gods and Goddesses on palanquins coming from all parts of Himachal to Kullu. On the first day homage is paid to Lord Raghunath, the presiding deity. Thereafter follows the nine day rituals and much merry-making which includes dancing, singing and other performances by the villagers. The Jwalamukhi Temple in Kangra becomes the location for a major fair during the navratra celebrations. An eternally burning flame that issues from a hollow rock in the sanctum is considered the manifestation of the goddess Devi. The Phool Yatra witnesses a remarkable display of neighbourly affection and the Dehant Nag is worshipped in he Pangi Valley in Chamba. An all India water sports Regatta is also organized by the Pong Dam Mountaineering Institute which is an added attraction for the adventure loving tourists.
November: Two important fairs take place in Himachal during this month. Rampur becomes the venue for the three days Lavi Fair one of the biggest trade fairs in northern India. People from the remote mountain reaches of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur congregate on the banks of Satluj to trade in local produce which includes homespun blankets and shawls, dry fruits and wool among other things. In the same month Renuka Lake Fair takes place in the District of Sirmour. People gather on shores of lake, which is shaped like a sleeping woman to celebrate the immortality of Renuka and her son. It is a major attraction for the people of the surrounding villages. Idols of Lord Parashurama are ceremoniously dipped in the sacred waters of the lake and it is time when nuptial ties are knot.
December: Come December and it heralds the beginning of ice skating at Shimla. The extravaganza of the Ice Skating Carnival arrests the gaze of the tourists. Fancy dress and other competitions are held and the most spectacular event is the torchlight dance with swirling flames all round the rink. The majestic Christ Church on the Ridge, Shimla is the second oldest Church in Northern India. It is full of life with the beginning of Christmas celebrations. The old Churches, the sonorous chimes, the snow tipped mountains and the hymns fill the hills with the imagery which turns to be a bliss for the mankind. This brings us to the end of another year with the New Year’s Eve celebrated with much zeal, music and laughter.
Shimla, the states capital and summer retreat of the erstwhile Colonial Government, remains one of India’s primary hill stations. It is a tourist’s paradise and with its fairs and festivals it can enchant you in all seasons
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