Festivals in Himachal Pradesh

There are lots of Fairs held in Himachal. There are 20 state level fairs or festivals recognised by the Government at present in Himachal Pradesh. They have an educational, social as well as religious character. These serve the needs of social integration not only for economic sustenance but also for cultural survival. Generally, the fairs are held at such a time when the people are free from their household engagements. Fairs give them an opportunity to purchase and sell needed articles. Traders from far and near join these festivals to display articles like clothes, wool, pashmina, furs, leather, hides and skins, pottery, metalware, jewellery, ornaments, fruits, vegetables and many other local products coming from the homes and fields of the ruralities.

List of Important Festivals in Himachal Pradesh

  • Chet Festival
  • Navratras
  • Baisakhi
  • Haryali
  • Rakhi
  • Chrewal (Prithvi Puja)
  • Jagra
  • Phulech
  • Sair
  • Jidjed
  • Dushehra
  • Diwali
  • Lohri
  • Gochi
  • Lossar
  • Shivratri
  • Halda
  • Nawala

List of Famous Fairs in Himachal Pradesh

Fairs in Himachal Pradesh have a very positive role to play in social life. Himachal is a land of gods and most of the fairs are of mythological nature. But to keep on rhythm in various walks of life, fairs have occupied predominant role and acquire varied dimensions, such as trade, agricultural, seasonal and fairs connected with festivals etc. So intensive the fairs have become, that people of all shades and interests participate in large numbers.

  • Dham
  • Dharamshala International Film Festival
  • Kullu Dussehra
  • Mandi Shivaratri Fair
  • Sati Pradha Mela
  • Kullu Dussehra
  • Shivratri Fair (Mandi)
  • Shoolini Mela (Solan)
  • Minjar Fair (Chamba)
  • Mani Mahesh Chhari Yatra (Chamba)
  • Renuka fair (Sirmaur)
  • Lavi Trade Fair (Rampur)
  • Vrajeshwari fair (Kangra)
  • Jwalamukhi Fair (Jwalamukhi)
  • Holi Fair (Sujanpur Tira)
  • Naina Devi Fair (Bilaspur)
  • Fulaich (Kinnaur valley)
  • The bharoli bhagaur Fair
  • The ‘Mairi’ Guruduwara Fair
  • The ‘Chintpurni’ temple Fair
  • The ‘Kamakhya temple’ Fair
  • The annual Himachal Hill Festival in the village Polian Purohitan during the fourth week of October.
  • The centuries-old Sair festival is celebrated mainly in Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Solan districts every year in mid-September.

Himachal Pradesh is also a place of diverse and multiple colourful fairs and festivals. The peopl e of this state celebrate its rich culture, social diversity and tradition with great pomp and show and pay immense gratitude for its rich natural beauty, and seek the blessings of the almighty for prosperity. The diversity keeps the state’s year calendar quite busy with celebrations. Apart from the major Hindu population, Himachal is also home to a fair amount of Buddhist, Muslims and few tribes like Gaddis, Kinnars, Jadun, Tanolis, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis, each has a festival or two of their own.

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