Himachal Pradesh attracts tourists from India and abroad with its gorgeous valleys, snow-capped mountains, adventure sports, and abundance of natural beauty. In addition to this, the famous festivals of Himachal Pradesh are major crowd-pullers. The people 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. With a vast range of festivals, there is a list of 21 vibrant fairs and festivals of Himachal Pradesh for you that give a kaleidoscopic view of diversity and unique traditions that are deeply rooted in their culture. Take a look.
1. Kullu Dussehra
Kullu Dussehra is a renowned grand fair where hundreds of Gods and Goddesses decked up in their finery coverage with their retinue for week long festivity at Dhalpur grounds is one of its kind. The folk flavour of the festivity, rituals and traditions here make it totally different from Dussehra celebrations elsewhere in the country. The pleasant weather and breathtaking beauty of the valley along with the celebrations fill the visitors with eternal happiness and satisfaction.
Where: Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu Valley.
When: October.
2. Losar Festival
Losar is the New Year festival of Tibetans mainly celebrated in Lahaul valley in Himachal. This festival celebrates the uniqueness of Tibetian Ethnicity in Himachal. It marks the beginning of the winter season in the valley and is celebrated during the first month of Tibetan calendar. Though the festival is majorly misunderstood as devil's dance, this festival has a great significance for the local people of the state and is carried out with a belief to attract prosperity and happiness.
Where: Lahaul Valley
When: Mid-November to 1st week of December.
3. Halda Festival
The Halda Festival is dedicated to the Shiskar Apa, the Goddess of Wealth in the Lamaistic Pantheon. It is an occasion of joy and happiness when people come together from different parts of the state to celebrate the New Year and wish for their prosperity. This festival carries an uncanny resemblance to Diwali, the festival of lights and it lasts for two days.
Where: Lahaul valley.
When: It is celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Magha Purnima.
4. Sazo Festival
Sazo is an ancient festival celebrated in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is famous for its exotic rituals, grand cultural celebrations and lip-smacking feasts. The locals believe that during this festival, the deities go to heaven for a short period of time. On this day, the whole district is gripped in an extreme religious fervor, and a spiritual ambience dominates the atmosphere. It also offers you the chance to understand the significance of religion and faith for the people living in these harsh conditions.
Where: Kinnaur
When: January
5. Doongri Fair
Doongri celebration is praised in Kullu to pay tribute to and to observe Hadimba Devi's (wife of Bheema in Mahabharata) birthday. A tremendous fair is organized on this day. The festival lasts for three days. It is organized at the Hadimba Temple, situated in the sacred Dhungri Forest in Manali.
Where: Manali
When: On Basant Panchami.
6. Mandi Shivratri Fair
The Mandi Shivaratri Mela, which lasts for seven days and marks the beginning of Shivaratri, is generally observed on the thirteenth night of Krishna Paksha. This festival, which boasts a rich deity culture, is about savoring religious fervor to the fullest. One of the main reasons why this fair is so beloved by the people is that it transforms the town of Mandi into a magnificent traditional spectacular. More than 200 deities from the Mandi district are said to congregate during this celebration, beginning on the day of Shivaratri.
Where: Mandi
When: March
7. Kasol Music Festival
Kasol is the type of place that sets the tone for an entire night of celebrations. The vast natural vistas, beautiful skies, evergreen forests, and massive mountains are the main attractions of this picturesque hill station. Aside from its natural beauty, Kasol is also known for its two-day music festival, the Kasol Music Festival. This yearly pop-culture event celebrates the New Year and new beginnings. The festival showcases the top DJs for high-pitched live musical performances designed to get you in the mood for a great time. At the event, you will also have the opportunity to listen to both emerging and well-known performers.
Where: Kasol
When: December
8. Phulaich Festival
A seven-day extravaganza, Phulaich means ‘the festival of flowers’. The festival is associated with the blooming of flowers in the Kinnaur valley. On the first day, villagers go to the mountains to collect Ladra flowers in a procession, playing drums and blowing biguls. All the inhabitants dance and celebrate the 18th night with charismatic music beneath the deodar trees.
Celebrated as an act of remembering the deceased, relatives offer rice, wine, and food to the departed, which are later distributed amongst the poor. Then, they head to the Dhangaspa family house and show their respect by putting garlands on members of the family.
Where: Kalpa, Kinnaur, Sangla
When: The 16th day of the Hindu month of ‘Bhadrapada’ marks the beginning of the Phulaich festival.
9. Himachal Hills festival
A pride event for Kasol people, Himachal Hills Festival is such a festival that primarily focuses on music. witnessing the live performances of young and talented singers and beating on the beats played by the noteworthy DJs surely serves as an exceptional experience to people.
Where: Kasol.
When: December 30-31st.
10. Sair Festival
Celebrated to mark the end of the harvest season, Sair is a cultural festival that is observed in many parts of Himachal. But if you want to experience this famous cultural festival of India in its full glory then you need to head to Shimla. This is a centuries-old festival and sees celebrations in the form of carnivals, beating of drums, and blowing of trumpets. A major attraction of Sair Festival is bullfight.
Where: Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Mandi
When: Mid-September.
11. Pori Festival
Every year, a significant number of tourists are attracted to and delighted by the Pori Festival, which the people consider a very sacred occasion. A beautiful prayer ceremony held within the Triloknath Temple's sacred grounds heralds the festival's start, during which worshipers honour the local deity and seek His favours. After that, they go to the parikrama gallery where they complete clockwise circumambulations of the gallery.
Numerous stalls and shops selling a wide variety of items are set up in Lahaul during the Pori Festival which adds to the charm of the colorful vistas that engulf this scenic abode at this time of the year.
Where: Lahaul valley
When: The Pori Festival is celebrated during the 3rd week of August every year.
12. Minjar Fair
The Minjar Fair is an important occasion in the lives of the people of Chamba and it is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. An agricultural festival, the Minjar Fair is an event of joy and prosperity. The fascinating folk music and dance acts are the Minjar fair's main attraction. A large section of the town is dotted with countless stalls during the Minjar Fair, and this also makes Chamba a haven for shopaholics. You can witness the many fascinating customs and celebrations of the Chamba people by going to the Minjar Mela in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.
Where: Chamba
When: The Minjar Mela is held in the month of July/August every year.
13. Summer Festival
"Shimla Summer Festival" is one of the most vibrant festivals in Himachal Pradesh. It is a two-week-long cultural extravaganza held every year in Shimla. It attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world and people from different parts of India as well. Live performances of famous artists, a beautiful flower show and dog show are some of the major attractions of this festival.
The vibrance of the festival is heightened by children from schools across the city who perform cultural shows on pertinent topics of the times. Alongside, the highly-coveted fashion show represents the talent of young, local designers. Needless to say that all this vibrance is backed-up with a host of cuisines at your disposal. From Himachali, Tibetan to Chinese and North-Indian food, at Shimla Summer Festival, it's a party for your taste-buds too!
Where: Shimla
When: June
14. Lohri Festival
In Himachal Pradesh, Lohri is a significant Festival. It is often celebrated near the end of winter when the cold no longer stings and people celebrate the season with great excitement and festivity. In general, the Lohri Festival is held to promote fertility and wealth. Bonfire is an integral part of the Lohri Fair that has been named after the Lohri Festival. For the people of Himachal Pradesh, this is a month of joy when new clothes are purchased and festivities take place amid vibrant dance and music.
Where: Entire Himachal Pradesh
When: The festival of Lohri is celebrated in the month of January (Magh) every year.
15. Ice Skating Carnival
The Ice Skating Carnival in Shimla is a time for thrill, excitement and adventure. The majestic Ice Skating Rink is managed by the Shimla Ice Skating Club who are also the hosts of the Ice Skating Carnival. These thrilling and extremely exciting Ice Skating sessions are usually held twice a day, in the morning and the evening. soul-pleasing dance performances, colorful and visually pampering fancy dress competitions, engaging Ice Hockey matches and nerve wracking Skiing activities are some of the other activities to enjoy in this carnival.
Where: Shimla
When: from 1st week of December to last week of February.
16. La Darcha Fair
The Ladarcha festival in Kaza, celebrates the coming together of people and cultures of the Spiti, Ladakh and Kinnaur regions. Originally organised to strengthen the commercial bond between India and Tibet, the fair attracts many regional traders, local inhabitants, and tourist from across the world.
Initially, traders from the three districts used to put up their stalls here and trade items like jewellery, accessories, utensils, apparel, metalwork, plastic goods, dry fruits, grains and even livestock including yaks and pure blood horses. Now, one can witness the Chaam and Buchan dance, special Buddhist sermons, an archery competition, and performances from the artists of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Art, Bhutan, Ladakh, Sikkim, Kinnaur, and Nepal. There are large community meals organised for the visitors as well as locals.
Place of celebration: Kaza
Time: The La Darcha Fair is usually held in the month of August every year.
17. Renuka Fair
Renuka who was the mother of Parshuram was killed by her own son on the orders of her husband. This fair salutes the immortality of Renuka and her son. Celebrating Renuka fair is of great importance as it is the time when people get a break from daily routine and chores.
Where: Sirmaur
When: in the month of November for six days
18. Markand Fair
Markand Fair is celebrated on the first night of Baisakhi at Markand Namak Teerth in the Bilaspur district. This pilgrimage is believed to fulfill the wishes of the people, considers himself blessed by bathing at the markand place in Brahma Muhurta, such a fair is also held in Tatapani.
Where: Bilaspur
When: November.
19. Rali Pujan Festival
This is one of the traditional festivals of Himachal Pradesh in the region of the Kangra, in which the marriage ceremony of Shiva-Parvati is celebrated as a festival by the girls. They are immersed in water after Rali Pujan. The people of Kangra celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm.
Where: Kangra
When: March-April
20. Musicathon
Musicathon is a mountain music festival. Musicathon, which began in 2019, is a platform created specifically for emerging independent artists who perform for visitors of all nationalities in the most majestic locations of Bir, Himachal Pradesh, with a stunning backdrop of the Dhauladhar range. The festival is an eco-friendly event brought together by the efforts of the local community, talented independent musicians, and a group of people united by a shared love of music, poetry, the Earth, and travel.
Where: Bir
When: March or April
You can read Disha’s article on Musicathon by clicking this link.
21. International Himalayan Festival
International Himalayan Festival takes place in Kangra district and commemorates the Nobel Peace Prize that was offered to the Dalai Lama in 1985. The celebration, which lasts for three days in McLeod Ganj, aims to deepen bonds of friendship between Tibetans and Himachal Pradesh residents. There are several stalls where you can find handicrafts, traditional medicines, and food. Similar to the Dalai Lama's teachings, the International Himalayan Festival aims to instill love and peace throughout the world. If Mcleodganj in spite of its incredible natural charm and breathtaking Himalayan panorama is still excluded from your travel list, the awe-striking grandeur of the International Himalayan Festival will surely make the picturesque town jump straight to the top of your bucket list.
Where: McLeod Ganj, Kangra District
when: December
After almost half a century since inception, new dimensions and cultural events kept adding up for years so that the tourists got the memorable experiences of Himachali culture. Don’t you agree that the scenic state of Himachal Pradesh not only beckons nature lovers and adventure junkies but also people with an eye for diverse cultures and traditions? Write your opinion in comments section.
Ready to travel for free? Earn credits and redeem them on Tripoto’s weekend getaways, hotel stays and vacation packages after the pandemic is over!
You may also like to read:
dharamshala stadium, kalka shimla toy train, hadimba temple, parashar lake, manikaran sahib, triund, paragliding in bir billing, kinner kailash, baijnath temple, paragliding in manali
' fill='%23359391'%3e %3cpath d='M46.1538462%2c43.5714286 L41.5%2c50 L36.8461538%2c43.5714286 L36.8670256%2c43.5714286 C36.3173077%2c42.7142857 36%2c41.6851429 36%2c40.5714286 C36%2c37.4854286 38.4535641%2c35 41.5%2c35 C44.5464359%2c35 47%2c37.4854286 47%2c40.5714286 C47%2c41.6851429 46.6826923%2c42.7142857 46.1329744%2c43.5714286 L46.1538462%2c43.5714286 Z M41.4294872%2c39 C40.6150641%2c39 39.9487179%2c39.675 39.9487179%2c40.5 C39.9487179%2c41.325 40.6150641%2c42 41.4294872%2c42 C42.2439103%2c42 42.9102564%2c41.325 42.9102564%2c40.5 C42.9102564%2c39.675 42.2439103%2c39 41.4294872%2c39 L41.4294872%2c39 Z' id='Location-white'%3e%3c/path%3e %3c/g%3e %3c/svg%3e)
