Fair and Festivals of District Lahaul-Spiti | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Introduction

Himachal Pradesh is home to a rich array of cultural festivals, each reflecting the unique traditions and beliefs of the region. Many of these celebrations are deeply rooted in history and are important for the local communities, bringing people together and strengthening social bonds.

Fairs and Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

• Ladarch Festival: This annual fair is held near the village of Kibbar and is celebrated in July.
• Sissu Fair: A widely celebrated fair across the Buddhist Himalayas.
• Phagli or Kun Fair: Celebrated in August in the Pattan valley at Trilokinath Temple, it resembles the Nathwara temple tradition of Rajasthan, where a ghee lamp is always kept burning.
• Bhumskor: A religious agrarian festival in Lahaul where fields are blessed by a lama. It honors mother nature and expresses gratitude for the land. Religious books are taken around fields to ensure a bountiful harvest.
• Halda Festival (Losar Festival): Celebrated as the Tibetan New Year in February, Halda or Losar is marked by vibrant rituals, monastery dances, and grand celebrations across the Lahaul region.
• Gotsi (Gochi) Festival: Celebrated in February in the Bhaga Valley, this festival honors sons born in the preceding year. Rituals include prayers, sharing the local drink Chhaang, and community celebrations that last late into the night.
• Gyago Festival: A festival held in December to bid farewell to the old year.
• Namga: A harvest festival celebrated in September.
• Chho Thang: A religious festival where a Lama reads from the 108 scriptures of the Tanjiver.
• Binger: Celebrates the birth of a son or first daughter in the family.
• Tsheshu Fair: Held in June at various monasteries including Shashur, Gemur, and Kyi. It brings villages together after the long winter months.
• Dechhang Festival: Celebrated in Spiti during the winter (December-January) and in Lahaul in April. Despite extreme weather, the festival features bonfires, folk dances, and community gatherings.
• Thon-Thon Festival: Celebrated in April to mark the end of winter.
• Yave Festival: A festival in June during which God Triloknath is worshiped by elders.
• Gator Festival: Held at monasteries like Kee and Dhankar in Spiti, the festival occurs in the fourth week of September and features the Chham dance performed by Lamas.
• Lachhang: Celebrates the arrival of winter, with worship dedicated to ensuring a prosperous season.
• Paklen: A celebration during marriage ceremonies.

Famous Dances of Himachal Pradesh

• Shehni: A traditional dance performed by both men and women.
• Ghure: A dance where dancers move in a circle without linking arms.
• Garphi: The oldest form of dance, characterized by unstructured and free-flowing movements.