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Khogal
- To
celebrate Khogal in Himachal Pradesh village people essentially the male
members of the family unite for an exotic local drink namely 'Chakti'. The
process of visiting house after house continues till mid night. However after
this, at mid night the drummers sit on the rooftop of a house and play drums
and flutes. The sound of the drums and flutes mark the beginning of the Khogal
celebrations. There are acts during this festival that denotes chasing of the
evil spirits away. At the end of the day villagers gather with torches and
perform local dance.
Lohadi
Festival
- Lohadi is a winter festival. The
rituals of Lohadi in Himachal Pradesh start a month before the actual
festival. The people of each and every house of the village heartily receive
the singers. The singers are offered food grains as gifts. After a month, on
the night of Lohadi, some boys sing deer songs and a local boy disguises
himself in the attire of a Deer. This 'human deer' dances about while the
other boys continue singing deer songs. The program of singing and dancing
continues for the entire night. At the time of Lohadi festival special sweets
and various delicious recipes are prepared.
Winter
Carnival
- Held in the beautiful hill station of Manali, Himachal's Carnival is an
event that draws a good number of tourists from all over. Among the other
attractions of the Winter Carnival in Manali, Himachal Pradesh is a variety of
winter sports that draw a good number of enthusiasts from all over. Contests
like "Winter Queen" and "Mr. Manali" also are attract ions
of the festival.
Faguli
- The
fair is held in the Hindu calendar month of Phagun. During this period,
blowing of conch-shells is forbidden. Early in the morning, members of a
particular chosen family bring wood and burn in a cave. Barley is roasted
below on the fire. At the end of this, the group of villages goes back to
their village and feed these to the cattle. Faguli is celebrated with Basant
Panchami as well in some parts.
Chaitraul
Festival - Chaitraul is a well-known festival
of pictures in the Sirmour area in Himachal Pradesh. Food is distributed to
the poor people. The houses are painted and decorated with figures of male
animals and crops on this day. On this Chaitraul day the family deities are taken to
the fields and offerings are made to the deity there.
Mahu
Nag Fair - The Mahu Nag Fair is held in the Mandi District of
Himachal Pradesh in the month of January. On the day of Makar Sakranti (14th
Jan) People visiting the
Mahu Nag Fair also visit nearby temples in the area.
Pori
Festival - Pori Festival is an annual feature
at the Lahaul Valley. Locals worship Lord Trilokinath during this festival.
The statue of the Lord is bathed in milk and yogurt. Devotees gather at the
temple in the morning and go around the temple beating drums, blowing conch
shells and bugles. A huge procession is then carried out on a horseback.
Minjar
Fair - The Minjar Fair is held in Chamba region. On this day people cook
special sweet and savoury delicacies and distribute them among friends and
relatives. The women-folk all decked up take platters of Minjar (the ears of
corn or flowers) to the banks of the river and immerse them there.
Manimahesh
Fair - The Manimahesh fair held around Manimahesh Lake which
is most popularly accessed from Chamba. Manimahesh Yatra begins on the Sri
Krishna Janmashtami day and ends on the Radha Ashtami day.
Manimahesh
Yatra is the most significant pilgrimage after Kailash Mansarovar for Shiva
devottees. There is also a
four-faced Shivalingam installed near the lake which is situated at about
13,500 ft asl. Journey involves
trekking from Chamba one has to travel to Hadsar, stay at simple camp sites
and trek for 15 kms to reach lake.
Ice
Skating Carnival Shimla - Shimla is a popular winter getaway and it snows here
during winters (Jan, Feb) when locals from around the area arrive for a snow
experience. Ice skating carnival is held every year in January an open-air,
natural ice rink, largest in India.
The
club organizes fancy dress competitions for the amusement of children. Other
activities include ice hockey matches and colorful dances.
Kullu
Dussera - Dussehra is a
week long celebration in Kullu, which normally starts on Vijaydashmi /
Dussera.The history of Kullu Dussehra dates back to the 17th century when the
king Jaganand installed an idol of Raghunath or Lord Rama on his throne as a
mark of penance. Lord Raghunath, who is the main deity of the festival is
taken in a procession along with other deities of the region.
On
the last day of the festival the chariot of Lord Raghunath is taken near the
bank of the river Beas, where a pile of wood and grass is set on fire,
symbolic of Lord Rama’s burning of Lanka.
Kullu
Dussera is one of the more prominent festivals for the inbound tourists.
Lavi
Fair
- Lavi Fair in
Rampur is renowned for
handicrafts on display. The well-known Chaumkhi Horses brought from remote
tribal areas are sold here. Apart from the Horses, woolen pattoos, kala zira
and dry fruits are also sold here. Tibetan community bring in Chinese Jackets,
Track Suites, Crockery constitutes for sale.
Phulaich
Fair – Kinnaur Valley celebrates flowering in monsoon months. The fair starts
with animal sacrifices and whole village gathers on a hilltop and looks for
the 'Ladra' flower. People serve rice wine and food on a mound of bricks and
later its served to the poor
Gugnaumi
- Gugnaumi
is a festival in honor of Googa, the lord of snakes. On this day large feasts
(Bhandara) are organized at all the temples of Googa (Googmadhi). It is an
elaborate affair and the priests prepare the food for the Lord. The farmers
also come with offerings of food and pray for their well-being. Pictures of
snakes are drawn on the walls with turmeric and people feed snakes with milk
and butter. Googa Saloh and Shibo-Da-than are two major temples where fairs
take place.
Sajo
Festival - This is a festival in which the
people bid farewell to the village deities. In the villages the palanquins of
the gods are laid open and the doors of temples are closed. Temples are
cleaned and polished. This festival comes in the spring month of Falgun. On
this day the many delicacies are cooked and eaten. The priests who represent
the deity is welcomed into each house and presented with food grains and
money.
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