Himachal Pradesh is a state in India where people of different communities and tribes live together in complete harmony and stay in sync with the bounty of nature. Along with imposing landscapes, there are many colorful festivals of Himachal Pradesh that beckons travelers from all over the world.
With a vast range of festivals, we have handpicked 16 vibrant fairs and festivals of Himachal Pradesh that give a kaleidoscopic view of diversity and unique traditions that are deeply rooted in their culture. Take a dekko!
Right from religious festivals to significant fairs of Himachal Pradesh, there’s an array of diversity reflected in celebration and merry-making which is worth witnessing. Check out!
Typically celebrated on the 13th night of Krishna Paksha, which is the onset of Shivaratri, Mandi Shivaratri Mela is held for a period of seven days in Himachal Pradesh. This fair is all about boasting the rich deity culture and enjoying the religious fervor to the fullest. It transforms the town of Mandi into a grand traditional extravaganza, and that’s why it holds a special place in the people’s hearts. Starting from the day of Shivaratri, more than 200 deities of the Mandi district assemble during this festival.
Nalwari Cattle Fair takes place in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh and continues for a period of seven days. Interesting activities like wrestling competitions are the major attractions of this fair. People brought cattle from Nalagarh and other nearby areas of Punjab to become a part of this fair. For this fair, people decorate their cattle with a considerable amount of attention so that it attracts more lucrative deals.
Read more: Famous Food In Himachal Pradesh
With classical music songs and dances, a lot of cultural programs are organized on the occasion of the Spring Festival. Not just for entertainment purposes but it is also good from a business perspective. During this time of the year, the people of the Lahaul district start to go back to their native place and this fair offers them an opportunity to buy agricultural products and other useful tools for their journey and household.
A small village situated near Parvary Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, Kasol is the kind of place that sets your mood right for a whole night of celebrations. Famous for its natural magnificence, Kasol is also famous for its Kasol Music Festival which goes on for two continuous days. To welcome the new year and celebrate the new beginnings, this pop culture event is held every year. The people who love music and art should definitely attend this festival at least once.
The whole of Kinnaur gets engulfed in a festive mood during the Phulaich Festival. Celebrated on the 16th day of the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar, this festival marks the flowering of wildflowers in the upper hilly areas. This festival is famous by many names such as Ukyam Festival or Ookayand Festival. In Ookayand, the double O’s mean flowers and Kyand means festival. That is why it is known as the festival of flowers.
A festival that primarily focuses on music, Himachal Hills Festival is a pride event for Kasol people. Grooving on the live performances of young and talented singers and dancing on the beats played by the DJs is an exceptional experience that is unmatched from anywhere else. Party animals, take notes, please.
This festival goes on for 2 to 3 days unlike any other fair or festival in India. It commences on 30th December to welcome the new year with a blast. Along with hip music, bonfire makes it a perfect mix of warmth and coldness.
Kullu Dussehra is the most famous festival of Himachal Pradesh which is celebrated in the month of October with great enthusiasm and fervor. Celebrated in Dhaulpur Maidan, the entire Kullu valley reverberates in the festive spirit for an entire week as the festivity of Dussehra spans here up to 7 long days.
The major attractions of Kullu Dussehra are the colorful procession of Lord Raghunath and Kala Kendra festival wherein several activities and cultural events are organized to make the evenings more entertaining and engaging for thousands of people from all over the country who mark their presence in the festivity.
Losar is one of the major Tibetan festivals of Himachal Pradesh that heralds the new year and harvesting crops. It takes place between late January and February as per the local Tibetan calendar. In the pre-Buddhist era, it was known as the Agrarian Festival and was celebrated when the apricots blossomed on the trees. According to religious beliefs, the Losar festival brings fortune and wards off evil from our lives.
Losar is celebrated with great enthusiasm in all the Tibetan towns of Himachal Pradesh whilst Dorje Drak Monastery in Shimla, Tsuglagkhang Temple in Mcleodganj, and Shashur Monastery in Spiti Valley are some of the places where the grandeur of this religious Buddhist festival is totally worth witnessing.
Read More: Temples Of Himachal Pradesh
Celebrated every year in the interiors of Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, and Solan in mid-September, the festival of Sair in Himachal marks the return of the Gods from heaven and the end of the harvest season. Sair is also one of the unique festivals of Himachal Pradesh as it is akin to the world-famous Bull Fight of Athens in Sparta. The spectacular fight ensued between the Beasts and various cultural performances are the major crowd pullers of the Sair festival.
Also, during this festival of Himachal Pradesh, a huge fair is organized and many stalls are put up to promote handicrafts by local artisans and culinary delights of the state. It is one of the most intriguing festivals celebrated in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
Also Read: Top 10 Significant Temples Of Himachal Pradesh
Doongri is a famous fair of Himachal Pradesh that is organized every year in the Kullu region on the auspicious day of Basant Panchami. This day is observed as the birth anniversary of Hadimba Devi who is considered the presiding deity of the region. Since the Doongri festival is the harbinger of the spring season, it is celebrated in the middle of May.
Massive processions are carried out and the devotees from nearby regions gather in the full flare to roll the chariot. The devotees also visit Hadimba Temple which lies deep inside the Dhungri forest to pay homage. On this special occasion, people of this region dress up in traditional attires and perform folk dances and songs which adds more charm to this beautiful festival of Himachal Pradesh.
Halda is the most-awaited festival of Himachal Pradesh that is celebrated by the Lamas on the auspicious occasion of Magha Purnima. The festival of Halda falls in the month of February but has a close resemblance to Diwali. Like Diwali, the Halda festival is also dedicated to the Goddess of wealth and prosperity- Shiskar Apa.
Having its roots in the Lamaistic traditions, Halda is one of the significant festivals celebrated with pomp and show especially in Buddhist regions of Lahaul and Keylong. During the grand carnival that lasts for 2 days, special rituals are performed to please local deities. Communities of the region gather around the massive bonfire and make traditional beverages and regional delicacies which heralds the solidarity of the Lama community.
Read More: Snowfall Places In Himachal Pradesh
An ancient festival celebrated in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, the festival of Sazo is celebrated to worship the local deities as it is believed that during this time of the year, the deities ascend to heaven for a short period of time. The festival is celebrated in the month of January depending on the planetary movement in the Hindu calendar. Gods and Goddesses are worshipped thrice in the span of a day. As it is believed to be their departing hours, spending more time worshipping is considered auspicious.
Also, locals believe that taking bath in the river Satluj or hot water springs during this festival of Himachal Pradesh will cleanse their body from sins and negativity. In the evening, Gods and Goddesses are taken outdoors in order to bid adieu. The celebrations of the Sazo festival conclude with the grand performances of cultural dance and music. Local wine and halwa are offered to Gods as a significant part of the ritual.
Also Read: 12 Beautiful Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh For Best Hill Vacation
A three-day festival of Pori is significant for both Hindus as well as Buddhists in Himachal Pradesh. Celebrated annually during the 3rd week of August, the entire Lahaul valley brightens up with festive spirit during Pori. The festival of Pori begins with a prayer ceremony which is held at the revered Triloknath Temple.
The other significant highlights of the Pori festival are bathing and decorating the horse, lighting a trail of butter lamps, massive processions, extraordinary performances by folk artists, and a grand feast. Also, visitors can enjoy an array of regional delicacies and buy local handicrafts made by artisans in a huge fair that is organized in Lahaul valley.
Read more : Famous Temples In Himachal Pradesh
Celebrated on the second Sunday of the Shravan month, Minjar is one of the most popular fairs of Himachal Pradesh that is marked by a large number of tourists. The huge fair is organized in the Chamba valley of Himachal Pradesh to commemorate the victory of the King of Chamba over the ruler of Trigarta which is now known as Kangra.
The celebration of this week-long agricultural festival of Himachal Pradesh begins by distributing Minjar which is a silk tassel worn by the local people of the state. Some of the highlights of the Minjar fair are flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural events such as chariot pulling, processions, and parades.
Read More : Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh
The summer festival is a 5-day long annual festival celebrated in the month of June to mark the beginning of scorching summer in the hill state. Celebrated in 1960 in the summer capital of India, the Shimla Summer festival apparently drew the name from the season itself. It is one of the grand festivals of Himachal Pradesh that has many attractions that lure tourists.
The festival begins with a half marathon which is followed by an array of cultural activities and sports events. Flower shows, fashion shows, musical nights, ice-skating events, photography sessions, poster-making competitions, etc. are some of the major highlights of the Summer festival in Shimla that beckons tourists from all over the world.
Read More : Places To Visit In Shimla
Organized every year from 2nd January to 6 January, Himachal Winter Carnival is one of the most inviting festivals of Himachal Pradesh that is attended by a large number of tourists from different parts of the world. Also popular as the Manali Winter Carnival, the festival initially began as a skiing competition in Solang Nala in the year 1977.
Read more: Things To Do In Himachal Pradesh
After almost half a century since inception, new dimensions and cultural events kept adding up for years so that the tourists got the memorable experiences of Himachali culture. Apart from iconic skiing competitions, people here ravel in the glory of folk culture, street plays, Haats, Himachali cuisines, local bands, adventure sports, and whatnot.
Apart from natural bliss, the colorful festivals of Himachal Pradesh epitomize its beauty even more. Don’t you agree? The scenic state of Himachal Pradesh not only beckons nature lovers and adventure junkies but also people with an eye for diverse cultures and traditions.
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