Himachal Festivals

The people of Himachal Pradesh maintain a busy calendar of events throughout the year, celebrating a mix of religious, cultural and sport-based festivals.

The Summer Festival in Shimla is held in the first week of June, with cultural programmes being organised every evening. The Prashar Mela is a traditional fair celebrated by pilgrims at the ancient temple in Prashar, 48 km from Mandi in the second week of June. Later in the month, Solan organises the Shoolni Fair with a string of cultural performances by local artistes.

The holy month of Shravan which falls between July and August is celebrated at the temples of Chamunda, Naini Devi, Bajreshwari and Jwala ji.. In Chamba, a week-long fair in the last week of July, traditional handicrafts are displayed and performances put up by local entertainers.

The Manimahesh Yatra is undertaken by pilgrims from Chamba to the sacred Manimahesh Lake, covering a distance of 81 km, from the third month of August to the first week of September. Devotees scale a distance of 15 km on foot to reach the Lake, which is at a height of 13,500 ft. The Dal Lake fair is organised 11 km from Dharamshala during August/September, and a holy dip in the lake is part of the ritual for devotees.

In the quiet town of Kaza in the Lahaul – Spiti Valley, a three day cultural festival in August showcases the talent of local performers in the field of dance and music. The Pori Mela is held around the same time in neighbouring Triloknath. Keylong, the district headquarters is the site of a Tribal Festival, also held in August.

The unique Phulaich Fair celebrates the planting of the Bhramkamal flower in Kalpa, Sangla, Morang and Nichar every September. Visitors to Shimla during October/November can look out for the Great Himalayan Marathon. Similarly, fans of paragliding can view the International Paragliding Competition in Bir-Billing, 32 km from Palampur. Angling as a sport has also been given its due, with angling festivals being organised in Gobind Sagar, Pong dam, Tirthan in Kullu and Barot in Mandi. Ice skating is celebrated with an ice-skating championship in Shimla.

By far the most well-known of Shimla’s indigenous festivals is the Kullu Dussehra wherein Lord Raghunathji is worshipped over a week-long carnival in October that includes cultural and sports events.

Throughout November, cultural festivals dominate the scene, with the Hamir Utsav, Lavi fair and the Renuka fair being organised.