In Himachal Pradesh, a multicultural and multi-religious state, festivals provide ample opportunities for each sect to flourish. Given its proximity to Tibet and the presence of various nomadic groups, Himachal Pradesh is home to hundreds of Buddhists as well as Hindus. Many festivals in Himachal Pradesh are unique to this region and its people because of its linguistic and cultural variety.
All of Himachal Pradesh’s fairs and festivals are the consequence of cultural values, economic necessities and time, which have been realize by the locals over time and eventually given the form of tradition. Hindus make up the majority of the population in Himachal Pradesh, with Hindus accounting for 98 percent of the state’s population.
As a result, local festivals and fairs have their roots in religion as well as popular faith myths and tales. People in Himachal Pradesh often refrain from performing mundane tasks on festival days. They must prepare particular foods, bathe, dress neatly and cleanly, and worship in the temple in a traditional manner.
On such occasions, songs and dance are common. Even a minor occasion is cause for celebration for them. One by one, some of Himachal Pradesh’s most notable festivals are describe.
Best Festivals in Himachal Pradesh
A list of best festivals in Himachal pradesh is given below that are suggests by Swastik Holiday, a leading tour and travel agency in Mumbai.
Kullu Dussehra
The Kullu Dussehra event is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most prominent. A big fair is held in the Dhalpur Maidan in the Kullu valley every year in the month of October in Himachal Pradesh. This enormous festival, which is considered an international fair, attracts thousands of travelers each year.
Losar
Losar is a religious festival in Himachal Pradesh that honours the Tibetan ethnicity’s uniqueness. According to the Tibetan calendar, this is the start of a new year. The festival lasts for fifteen days, but the best time to see it is from February 24 to February 26.
Halda
Halda, one of Himachal Pradesh’s most beautiful festivals, is held on the auspicious occasion of Magha Purnima and is quite similar to Diwali, the festival of lights. It’s a two-day spectacular carnival that takes place in a remote region of the Lahaul valley. The Lamaistic traditions of the valley are at the heart of the Halda celebration.
Sazo Festival
The ancient Sazo festival brings religious fervour and spiritual joy to the entire Kinnaur region. Sazo, one of Himachal Pradesh’s most beautiful festivals, is based on the strong conviction that the deities return to heaven for a period of time during this season. Their departure is regarded as a major event. The valley’s residents observe stringent procedures throughout the festivity.
Doongri Fair
The Mahabharata epic is the source of this festival. Hadimba Devi’s fair is named after Hadimba, Bheem’s wife, who celebrates her birthday on this day. Residents congregate at Hidimba Devi Temple to pay homage to Hadimba, the local deity. Every year, a large fair is held in honour of their cherished deity, Hidimba Devi. Basant Panchami, the first day of the spring season, is the occasion for this spectacular festivity.
Pori Festival
The Pori, a three-day festival in Himachal Pradesh, is significant for both Hindus and Buddhists. It is a festival that takes place every year in the third week of August and brings the entire Lahaul valley to life. The Pori festival kicks out with a prayer service at the famous Triloknath Temple.
Bathing and decorating the horse, lighting a path of butter candles, large processions, remarkable performances by folk artists, and a grand feast are all highlights of the Pori festival. Visitors can also sample a variety of regional foods and purchase local handicrafts manufactured by artists at a large fair held in Lahaul Valley.
Minjar Fair
Minjar, which takes place on the second Sunday of the Shravan month, is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most prominent fairs, attracting a great number of visitors. The massive fair celebrates in Himachal Pradesh’s chamba Valley to commemorate the King of Chamba’s triumph over the monarch of Trigarta, which is today well-known as Kangra.
The celebration of Himachal Pradesh’s week-long agricultural festival begins with the distribution of Minjar, a silk tassel worn by the state’s residents. Flag hoisting rituals and cultural events like as chariot pulling, processions, and parades are among the highlights of the Minjar fair.
Summer Festival
The summer festival is a 5-day yearly event perform in June to commemorate the start of the sweltering summer season in the mountainous state. The Shimla Summer festival, which began in 1960 in India’s summer capital, appears to have derived its name from the season itself. It is one of Himachal Pradesh’s great festivals, with numerous attractions that entice visitors. The festival kicks off with a half marathon, followed by a variety of cultural and sporting events. Flower exhibits, fashion presentations, musical nights, ice-skating activities, photography sessions, poster-making competitions, and other events are among the key features of Shimla’s Summer festival, which attracts visitors from all over the world. Book Himachal Tour Packages from Ahmedabad and enjoy Summer Festival in Himachal.
Himachal Winter Carnival
Himachal Winter Carnival, which takes place every year from the 2nd to the 6th of January, is one of Himachal Pradesh’s most popular celebrations, attracting visitors from all over the world. The Manali Winter Carnival, also known as the Manali Ski Festival, originated in 1977 as a skiing competition in Solang Nala.
After over half a century of existence, new dimensions and cultural activities adds year after year to provide travellers with unforgettable Himachali cultural experiences. People here adore folk culture, street plays, Haats, Himachali cuisines, local music, adventure sports, and so on, in addition to the legendary skiing competitions.
Phulaich Festival
During the Phulaich Festival, the entire state of Kinnaur wraps in a celebratory mood. This event, which falls on the 16th day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, commemorates the flowering of wildflowers in the upper hilly areas. The celebration is also famous as the Ukyam Festival or the Ookayand Festival. The double O’s in Ookayand stand for flowers, and Kyand stands for festival. That is why it is called as the Flower Festival.
Nalwari Cattle Fair
The Nalwari Cattle Fair takes held in the Himachal Pradesh district of Bilaspur and lasts for seven days. The main attractions of this fair include interesting events such as wrestling matches. Cattle were brought in from Nalagarh and other adjacent Punjab locations to participate in the fair. People spend a lot of time and effort decorating their cattle for this fair in order to attract more lucrative sales.
Mandi Shivratri Fair
Mandi Shivaratri Mela is a seven-day festival conducts in Himachal Pradesh. It Celebartes on the 13th night of Krishna Paksha, which marks the beginning of Shivaratri. This event is all about showcasing the rich deity culture and getting the most out of religious enthusiasm. It transforms Mandi into a great traditional spectacular, which is why it has such a particular place in the hearts of the people. During this event, more than 200 deities from the Mandi district gather starting on Shivaratri day.
Sair Festival
The festival of Sair in Himachal celebrates every year in mid-September in the interiors of Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, and Solan. To commemorate the return of the Gods from heaven and the end of the harvest season. Sair is also one of Himachal most unusual celebrations, as it is models after Athens’ world-famous Bull Fight in Sparta. The Sair festival’s main attractions are the epic battle between the Beasts and different cultural events.
A large fair also perform during the Himachal festival, with many vendors promoting local craftsmen’ goods & state’s culinary delicacies. It is one of India’s most fascinating events, held in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Spring Festival
A variety of cultural programmes performs in conjunction with the Spring Festival, including classical music songs and dances. It is beneficial not just for amusement purposes, but also for commercial purposes. The residents of the Lahaul district begin to return to their native land at this time of year. This fair provides them with an opportunity to purchase agricultural items and other important things for their journey and household.
International Himalayan Festival
The International Himalayan Festival is a fascinating event that commemorates His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize win. It lasts three days and attempts to foster peaceful coexistence among various local populations. The festival includes cultural performances and events, as well as local artists and Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts students. Visitors can make a holiday of the festival, taking in both the cultural acts and the gorgeous surroundings. Thanks to a variety of affordable hotels in the area.
If you’re looking for Himachal Tours then you should plan your package very close to any of these festivals. So you can celebrate and enjoy the festivals in himachal pradesh. If you have any additional inquiry, you can contact us.
