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FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Festivals | Fairs


FAIRS - Sovi Jataras | Nahauli | Chhetsu | Fairs of Haryali | Minjar | Vrajeshwari | Jwalamukhi | Shivaratri | Renuka | Fair of Pata | Lavi | Chintpuri | Cattle Fairs | Kahika | Fair of Mela-Jagra | Minghal | Fair of Sikhs


FAIRS

In Baisakhi the Sovi Jataras take place at the temple of Naina Devi. These last for five days and people especially the Gaddis, returning to their hill home participate in these in large numbers. The 'Dangi' dance is one of the main attraction of this fair. The women at the fair sing songs about the exemplary life and sacrifices of the Goddess Naina Devi and offer ritual Puja with beautifully arranged platters at the spot where the goddess had sacrificed her life.

Another beautiful fair takes place on the banks of the Rivalsar lake on the Baisakhi day. The fair is held in memory of the Rishi Lomash. The village folk who come to the fair take a dip in the lake which is considered as holy as the river Ganges. One of the chief features of the fair is the swimming match organised on the occasion. As they return the devotees carry home the roots and leaves of the medicinal herb called Barain. In Rivalsar, on the first day of the monsoon months of Ashadh a fair known as 'Nahauli' takes place. This is a fair for merchants, folk dancers and gods and goddesses. Mandi also has an old tradition of fairs. The whole of Kinnaur fairs (known as Rasa Kayang) take place on the Baisakhi day.

Chhetsu is another fair in the Lahaul valley. A tale about the fair is often told which links it to a ruler of ancient Tibet by the name of Lang Darma. This king was staunchly opposed to Buddhism and the people in his kingdom finally got rid of his oppressive reign by organizing a ritual dance of the demons during the course of which the cruel king was murdered. Many dances are performed this day to re-invoke the original one in which people dance in loose robes and masks on their faces. This is known as the Assur Dance. The other annual Tibetan fair takes place in the month of July in a village called Kibbar. In this merchants from Ladakh, Bushahan and Lahaul-Spiti come with their merchandise and the local produce is exchanged following an old barter system.

The fairs of Haryali (greenery) take place at Nag Nagpi, Shibbon Da Than and Piron- Vironka Than in the monsoon months. Usually these small fairs take place on Saturdays and commemorate the sacrifices of local heroes Sukrat and Binchi.

Minjar is a seasonal fair of Chamba for celebrating the rains and the flowering of maize. It is held in August. People from all  parts of Chamba and even from other areas of Himachal Pradesh travel long distance to watch the week-long celebrations. Besides the famous folk-dances of Gaddis, there are plentiful music and trade. On the concluding day the devotees offer Minjars (maize flowers) and coconuts to god Varuna at Ravi river.  

Vrajeshwari fair is a religious fair held twice a year at Kangra during the Navratri. Thousands of devotees of the 'Mata' come from distant places to participate in it. Many perform the mundam samskar (the first shave of the head) of their children.

The Jwalamukhi fair is also held twice a year during the Navratri of Chaitra and Assiy. The devotees go round the 'Jwala Kund' in which the sacred fire burns, making their offerings. Nearby is 'Gorakh Tibbi' a centre of the Gorakhpanthi Naths. The Holi fair of Sujanpur is different from the Holi celebrations elsewhere. Folk-dances, songs, plays, wrestling matches and athletics are some of the attractions of the fair.

The seven-day-long Shivaratri fair at Mandi is unique in style and known for its colourful atmosphere. Gods and goddesses are carried in palanquins. After presenting themselves at the Raj Madhav temple (shrine of the main god of the area), the devotees pay their homage to Lord Shiva at the Bhootnath temple. This marks the start of week-long festivities. The conclusion is preceded by Jagran (night long pooja) in which the 'guru' and the 'chela' predict the event of the coming year.

 

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