State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration : Month of October



Dussehra is a week long celebration in Kullu, which normally starts on Vijaydashmi.The history of Kullu Dussehra dates back to the 17th century when the king Jaganand installed an idol of Raghunath or Lord Rama on his throne as a mark of penance. Lord Raghunath,who is the main deity of the festival is taken in a procession along with other deities of the region. It is believed that all the gods of the valley visit the region to pay homage to Lord Raghunath. On the first day of the festival, the chariot of Lord Raghunath is pulled from the Dhalpur Maidan to another spot across the maidan(area) by big ropes. The pulling of ropes is regarded as sacred by the local people. On the last day of the festival the chariot of Lord Raghunath is taken near the bank of the river Beas, where a pile of wood and grass is set on fire rememorize the burning of Lanka.

Location : Lahaul valley of Himachal Pardesh
Attractions : Temple of Trilokinath



The Pori Festival offers a unique opportunity to the local communities of the region to come together and rejoice in this great cultural fanfare. Celebrating a host of fares and festivals to mark religious events or seasonal changes, Himachal Pradesh celebrates this festival to strengthen the traditional beliefs of the rural people here. Celebrated with a great pomp and show, the Pori Festival is an annual feature at the Lahaul Valley and is symbolic to the historical and sociological background of the area. It has been a practice amongst the local people to worship Lord Trilokinath since time immemorial on this festival. The statue of the Lord is bathed in milk and yogurt on this festival. Devotees gather at the temple in the morning and go around the temple beating drums, blowing conch shells and bugles. A horse is also taken around the temple. A huge procession is then carried out with the horse and it is believed that God rides on the back of this horse showering His blessings upon the devotees.

At the procession’s end, the crowd takes the horse to the royal palace of the local ruler. The horse is bathed in sweet water there and is offered healthy food. After this the king rides the horse and goes to the fair ground which is dotted all over with small shops.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration : 16th to 17th September



Fulaich festival in the Kinnaur valley is the carnival of flower-watching. It celebrated in the month of September and honors the dead relatives and to pray for their peace of soul. The festival starts with animal sacrifices. People serve rice wine and food to the dear departed ones on a mound of bricks. They believed that their deceased relatives will visit that place and accept their offerings. These are later distributed to the poor and the Harijans in the village. On 16th September about 10 Rajputs of the village pluck flowers and go to the high hills. They stay there till 17th of September and return to their village on 18th.On 20th September the Local God is ornamented with images and fine cloths. On the last day of the festival, the village God is brought back to the temple and a goat and lamb is sacrificed.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration : First day of the month of Baisakh



In Kinnaur this festival is known as Bishu. People cook a savory gruel known as Doon on this day and eat it together. In villages which do not celebrate Chaitrual, Bishu marks the beginning of the New Year. On this day the gods are dressed up in special finery. The brass masks of the gods are cleaned and polished. Every fourth year a festival called Bala is celebrated.

On this day old weapons belonging to the deities are brought out and cleaned. The villagers divide themselves into two teams and play-act a mock battle. The winning team returns to the village singing and rejoicing all the way. In the village the deities are taken around in their palanquins. It is believed that evil spirits and ghosts get into the palanquin and increase the weight suddenly. Many dances are also performed with ancient historical weapons.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration : Month of February



Gotsi or Gochi, celebrated in the month of February, is one of the prominent festivals of Himachal Pradesh. It is celebrated by the members of those houses, who have been blessed with a baby boy in the past year. The people gather in these houses, and drink a sort of wine named chhang. A special cake made from mixed flour is cooked on this occasion, and is placed in a platter. This platter is taken to the deity by four men. The platter is accompanied by a young unmarried girl dressed up in ceremonial robes, and she carries a vessel of chhang wine in her hands. This girl is followed by two men, one carrying a lighted torch and the other a bunch of pine branches bundled in sheepskin. The procession of devotees consisting of the mothers of sons is led by the woman who has borne her first son. Then, the sheepskin, which is suspended from the branches of a tree, is shot with an arrow. The men and women throw snowballs at each other on their way home. People on this occasion enjoy themselves by drinking wine, beating drums and dancing.

State : Himachal Pradesh

Time of Celebration : 11th to 14th November



Khepa in Himachal Pradesh which is essentially an event to catch away demons is a very popular festival in Himachal Pradesh. The word Khepa stands for the meaning Siddha or say Tantrik Guru in Hindi. In Khepa, Himachal Pradesh the Siddha or the Tantrik Guru is made of flour.

On the day of this festival, local people take bath early in the morning. They place a thorny shrub or say cho or Brekling on the top of their roofs. However, there is other festival called Pulkhepa also. It is celebrated on the same patterns as Khepa, Himachal Pradesh. On the occasion of Pulkhepa in Himachal Pradesh a goat head and Poltu or say a special kind of fried bread is made.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration : Fourth Day of the Waning Moon in the Hindu Month of Kartik


The festivities of Karwa Chauth, Himachal Pradesh start from early morning. Before sunrise, women take bath and attire in new cloths. They take few selected grains and fruits in meal. For remaining day they do not take food and water. Further, married women offer prayers to Hindu god and goddess such as Shiva and Parvati. The prayers on the day of Karwa Chauth are offered with the motive of seeking blessings that would enable them to enjoy successful married lives.

It is during afternoon that women assemble in neighborhood for a prayer ceremony. They recite very popular Karva Chauth story. On the time of the puja, women wear bright red or pink clothes and stunning jewelry. Once the prayer ceremony is over all the women eagerly wait for moon rise. As soon as moon appears on sky every woman come to their terrace and offer prayers to ensure well being for their husband and family. An elderly woman of the family again recites story of Karwa Chauth. At the end of these rituals, all women break their fast with a sip of water.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration : Culmination of Winter



The Lohri Festival is generally held to ensure fertility and prosperity. Bonfire is an integral part of the Lohri Fair that has been named after the Lohri Festival. It is a month of celebration for the people of Himachal Pradesh when new costumes are bought and amidst extensive salsa and melody the celebration ensues.

Since Lohri is usually celebrated during the month of Magh (January), it is also known as Maghi Festival. The Lohri or Maghi Fair is a jovial relief from the monotonous daily existence and is thus a welcome relief by the people of Himachal Pradesh.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration : Full Moon Day in Monsoon Month of Bhadrapad



Rakhi is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan, on which sisters tie the blessed Rakhi string on their brothers’ right wrists, pray for their long life. Rakhis are preferably made of silk with gold and silver threads, wonderfully crafted embroidered sequins, and studded with semi precious stones. This ritual not only strengthens the bond of love between brothers and sisters, but also transcends the boundaries of the family. When a Rakhi is tied on the wrists of close friends and neighbors, it underscores the need for a pleasant social life, where every individual live peacefully as brothers and sisters.

In Northern India, and some parts of Himachal Pradesh Rakhi Purnima is also called Kajri Purnima or Kajri Navami, when wheat or barley is sown, and goddess Bhagwati is worshipped. Raksha Bandhan is known by various names like Vish Tarak – the destroyer of venom, Punya Pradayak – the bestower of boons, and Pap Nashak – the destroyer of sins. The festival of Rakhi in Himachal Pradesh marks for the coming of different relatives and family members of a family and share a good time with each other.

State : Himachal Pradesh

Time of Celebration : Month of Chaitra



Chaitraul also well known as the festival of pictures is one of the celebrated festivals of the Sirmaur area in Himachal Pradesh. Food is distributed to the poor people. It is a ritual on this occasion to break clay pots to get rid of the evil spirits. It is performed on a certain day in the bright fortnight of the moon in the month of Chaitra. As a mark of richness and prosperity, the houses are painted and decorated with figures of male animals and crops on this day symbolizing abundance and wealth.

On this Chaitraul day the family deities are taken out into the fields, and a particular dish known as Poltu is cooked. In some instances, the deity is positioned in middle of the field and an extraordinary savory gruel is prepared as offering to the Lord. Another famous feature involved is Khone, a custom of compromise between the gods and the demons. Chaitraul festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra that is in between March and April.

State : Himachal Pradesh

Time of Celebration : Gugnaumi is a festival in honor of Googa, The lord of snakes, Loud music and dance



Gugnaumi is a festival in honor of Googa, the lord of snakes. On this day large feasts (Bhandara) are organized at all the temples of Googa (Googmadhi) in which the food grains collected by the Guru (head priest) are used. It is an elaborate affair and the food is prepared for the Lord by the priests. It symbolizes the offering of the villagers to the Lord of snakes. The farmers also come with offerings of food and pray for their well being. Pictures of snakes are drawn on the walls with turmeric and people feed snakes with milk and butter.

Mentally challenged women dance at the temples on this day, in order to get rid of their sickness. It is believed that the spirit of Googa descends upon them and suggests ways of curing the ailment. Googa Saloh and Shibo-Da-than are two major temples where fairs take place. Gugnaumi Festival in Himachal Pradesh is mainly performed by the villagers. It is also whispered that if you can take a glimpse of a snake on this auspicious day your every wish come true. On this day the Lord of Snakes shower His blessings upon the villagers.

State : Himachal Pradesh Time of Celebration : Month of October



International Folk Festival is a famous fiesta held in Himachal Pradesh and is visited by a lot of tourists from across the globe. Fairs and Festivals form an integral part of Indian culture and Himachal Pradesh with its rich array of Fairs and Festivals tries its best to reserve the Indian custom. International Folk Festival is generally held in Kullu Valley during the month of October and this Fair is especially memorable for the wide range of materials available here.

India with its rich cultural diversity presents itself by means of this fair before a larger audience. With the International Fair in Himachal Pradesh a new window is being opened before the people for communication. The International Folk Festival offers an opportunity for cultural exchange. Indians find a way to display its wide array of talents in various fields. Since these talents find a good exposure during the International Folk Festival, it is an important event.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration : End of the Month of Pausha



Lohadi is a winter festival. According to the Hindu calendar this festival takes place at the end of the month of Pausha. Every farmer sings songs and roams around the entire house of the village in the before month of this festival. The song sung by the farmers has a specific name among the local people. This Lohadi song is called ‘Lohkadiyan’. The rituals of Lohadi in Himachal Pradesh start a month before the actual festival. Lohadi is celebrated in each and every household of Himachal Pradesh. The people of each and every house of the village heartily receive the singers. The singers are offered food grains as gifts. After a one month long celebration, the actual day of Lohadi festival comes. At the time of Lohadi festival special sweets and various delicious foods are prepared which is called Babru by the local people. On the night of Lohadi, some boys sing deer songs and a local boy disguises himself in the attire of a Deer, which is locally known as Harin.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration :  First Day of the Month of Ashwin


Sairi in Himachal Pradesh which is again a celebration to ensure happiness and prosperity for the community is observed on the first day of the month of Ashwin. It falls during winter season in Himachal Pradesh. The celebration of the winter festival Sairi in Himachal Pradesh starts when the maize crops are ready to be harvested. Local people cook Sweet Bhature and Pakodis or say the dumplings composed of ground Urd Dhal. During the celebration of the Sairi in Himachal Pradesh it is a tradition that young men and women apply Henna or say seur on their palms and the soles of the feet.

Another striking feature of the celebration of the festival Sairi, Himachal Pradesh is that at night village barbers can be spotted decorating a big lemon with kumkum or vermilion and rice. Later, the village barbers arrange these nicely adorned lemons in a beautiful basket along with coconut and attractive flowers. Once this decoration gets finally over, the village barbers carry these baskets around the village from one door to another door. These baskets are curiously awaited by each of the house-holds. The members of the house place some more flowers, sweets and money in the basket that again signifies an offering.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration :  Two months after Diwali celebrations


Dyali in Himachal Pradesh is a very ebullient celebration that takes place two months after the world renowned Diwali celebrations. The way in which festival Dayli, Himachal Pradesh is celebrated is completely unique and exciting to know. If you visit Himachal Pradesh during Dyali Festival then you will see that in this festival in the evening women gather pine twigs. After accumulating pine twigs these women will be spotted offering Puja to it. Not only this, later an exciting other activity will take place. Now you will see that these women are throwing walnuts to little boys. These little boys scamper around from one courtyard to another in search of them. And at the end of the day of the festival Dyali, Himachal Pradesh you will see delicious sweets made by the women are distributed later to everyone.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration :  Phalgun Purnima which comes in February End or Early March



Holi in Himachal Pradesh is celebrated in much the same way as in rest of North India. People light bonfires-fires called Holika, symbolic of victory of good over evil.People in this state are all charged up when it comes to play with colors. Pichkaris in various creative and innovative designs are specially bought by children to color anybody who comes in sight and even more to the one who tries to escape…all in good fun.

The interesting fact to mark about Holi in Himachal Pradesh is that thousands gather at the holy shrine of Paonta Sahib in Sirmour district on the banks of Yamuna. The shrine is highly regarded and people have great faith in it. No wonder, they choose the auspicious day of Holi to seek divine blessings. Kullu Holi is marked by mixing snow with colors- making it an ‘Ice-Holi’. While, the main celebrations are held at the world famous Slang Pass, which witnesses heaviest snowfall in the country.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration :  6th Night of the Dark Phalgun(Feb or March)



During the Shivratri Fair in Himachal Pradesh, gaily decorated palanquins carrying all the local deities are ferried to the town of Mandi. Accompanied by folk bands and hordes of enthusiastic devotees, the palanquins make a stop at the Masho Rai Temple and then proceed to the Bhootnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. After paying obeisance to the Gods, the people of Mandi follow it up with lots of music, dance and singing. Plays or skits are also arranged to entertain the onlookers.

Even though merriment becomes the order of the day during the Shivratri Fair in Mandi, the religious fervor that is a part of all the proceedings cannot be missed. No wonder, the Shivratri Fair adds up as one of the most attractive among the fairs in Himachal Pradesh India.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration :  Month of May



People from the plains of Northern India rush to Himachal Pradesh in summers, to escape the heat of the harsh sun. It is during this time that a variety of programs, cultural and folk performances and tourism fairs are organized by the Government of Himachal Pradesh. One such festival is Summer Festival, organized in the beautiful hill station of Shimla, in the month of May. It is organized at the Ridge of Shimla and attracts tourists from all over the country. The major attractions of this festival are various local folk dance performances, performances by school children, art and handicrafts exhibition, photographs exhibition, posters exhibition, a flower show and a number of competitions.

There is also a unique fashion show that aims at showcasing the folk and traditional costumes of the region, along with a folk dance festival, the Red Cross Fair and numerous sports tournaments. Eminent singers and celebrities come from various parts of India to participate in the amazing Summer Festival of Shimla. At the time of the festival, a fair is also organized in Shimla, where the local people put up stalls displaying the exquisite handicrafts of Himachal Pradesh. One of the major festivals of Shimla, the Summer Festival aims at promoting the rich tradition and culture of the state throughout the Indian subcontinent.

State : Himachal Pradesh
Time of Celebration :  Month of February



Winter Carnival of Manali is one of the two winter fairs organized in Himachal Pradesh, with the other being the one in Shimla. It is organized in the month of February, when there is lot of snow and ice covering the slopes of Himachal hills. People coming to the carnival can opt for winter sports organized at snow-capped Rohtang range and ski slopes of Solang valley. One of the major attractions of the Winter Carnival of Manali is a beauty contest, known as the ‘Winter Queen’ contest.

The Winter Carnival of Manali holds the status of a state-level festival, declared by the Himachal Pradesh Government a few years back. Every year, a large number of teams from various youth clubs, colleges and universities all over India participate in the carnival, their performances being assessed by a panel of judges. This carnival has brought some fun and entertainment into the, otherwise, dreary life of the people of Manali in winters. At the same time, it has also led to a surge in the tourism in the hill station.