January
There is a sobriety, but no less joy, when Lohri or Maghi
comes along in mid-January. This is the traditionary mid-winter
day and also commemorates the last sowing of the Rabi crops. Community
bonfires, folk songs and dancing mark the festival. In tribal
Spiti, Dechhang is celebrated at he height of winter, while the
Lahaul area reserves it for early April. Paonta Sahib is a major
focus on Guru Gobind Singh's birthday. The town and other gurudwaras
close to it, are closely linked with the Guru's life.
On
a mid-night towards the end of Paush, Phagli begins in
Lahaul's pattan valley with snow being packed in a conical basket
- kilta. This is upturned on a roof and resembles a Shivalinga.
Shiva, Naga and the goddess Hadimba are worshipped, and the younger
generation also mark it by venerating the village elders. Chhang
and Lugari, locally brewed liquors flow freely and ritual dishes
are eaten. Kinnaur's Sazi, also comes at around this time.
February
Snow continues to play a major part in February's festivals and
Himachal's Winter Carnival is also held this month. Gochi in
the Bhaga valley is an unusual festival when the villagers celebrate
the birth of male children. Taken marriages of children below
the age of six are also performed - and a lighter side comes with
the snow balling every child participates in.
The
Baba Barbhag Singh Mela is held in Una and honours this
sage who was renowned for his magical powers. Basant Panchmi
marks the arrival of spring in the lower areas and every town
seems to keep a reserve of colour for the occasion and the skies
are filled with a medley of kites. Ritual dances and an unbelievable
rich imagery mark Lossar. This is celebrated in Buddhist areas
throughout the state - while Lahaul's monasteries have some of
the most spectacular performances. On its eve, the stylised chhaam
dance and elaborate costumes and masks, commemorate the assassination
of the cruel Tibetan king, Langdarma in the 9th century. Often
- through arongly - called "the devil dance", it symbolises
the triumph of good over evil.
March
Centered around the temple of Trilokinath, Char is celebrated
in Lahaul. The town of Mandi with its ancient temples revels in
the Shivratri fair for a whole week. On elaborately decorated
palanquins, hundred of local deities are carried to the town.
Accompained by folk bands, they make their first stop at the Madho
Rai temple and then go to pay obeisance to lord Shiva at the Bhootnath
temple. This is followed by festivities - music and song, dance
and drama. Yet, all the while the atmosphere is surcharged with
deep religious devotion. In the third week of March, the fascinating
Nalwari fair is held at Bilaspur. Cattle is traded, there
are wrestling bouts and aero and water sports shows are recent
additions. Chait, the first month of lunar calendar is celebrated
by the dancing of women in Kullu and by folk singing in Chamba.
April
Held on the first Baisakh - the 13th April - Baisakhi is
one of Himachal's most important festivals. Rooted in the rural
agrarian tradition, it bids a final farewell to winter. At Tattapani
near Shimla, at the Rewalsar and Prashar lakes near Mandi, people
take purifying dips in the water. Numerous village fairs complete
with wrestling, dancing and archery are also held on this day.
In
April, Rali with its clay models is marked in Kangra. Clay
models are made in every house to mark that day, while unmarried
girls pray for grooms of their choice and the newly-wedded ask
for happiness and prosperity. At Chamba, the Sui Mela is thronged
by women and children and at the village of Taraur in district
Mandi, the Mahu Nag fair is held. The holy Markandaya
fair is held near Bilaspur and the Rohru Jatar is held in
honour of the deity, Shikhru.
May
May gushes in with a whole series of river rafting festivals
and water sports Regattas, throughout the state. Focused around
the goddess Hadimba Devi, Kullu celebrates the Dhoongri fair.
In the same district, the Banjar fair and the Sarhi Jatar
are held in May. Near Shimla at the exquisite glade of Sipur below
Mashobra, the charming Sipi fair is held. It is traditionally
a time for match-making.
June
A wide spectrum of national talent, a variety of programmes and
a splendid setting make Shimla's Summer festival a memorable
event. Shimla also hosts the Red Cross Fair, sport tournaments,
flower shows, a photographs and posters exhibition and a fashion
show based on folk costumes. The Kangra festival is also
held in June at Kangra. At Solan, on the third sunday of the month,
the Solan fair honours the goddess Shilooni, the presiding
deity of the region. On June's full moon night, the Ghantal
festival is held at Lahaul's guru Ghantal monastery.
