Fairs and Festivals in Shimla
Fairs and festivals of shimla highlights the rich cultural background of the hilly region of Himachal Pradesh. It takes place throughout the year. Celebration is an integral part of Shimla's culture.
Fairs in Shimla
Sipi Fair- This fair is celebrated in the month of May in Sihpur as an honor to Sip Devta. The fair is very popular among people and thousands throng the Sipi fair to participate. The fair has been celebrated since a long time and the Rana of Koti used to be the main spectator in the fair. Many cultural programs are organized which include archery competition, magic shows, jugglers, acrobats, etc.
Bharara Fair- Shimla Bharara village observes this festival on 1st of May. This fair is very old. This fair is celebrated with goat sacrifices that is offered to Lord Koteshwar. The Himachali 'Natti' dance is performed.
Mahasu Jatar- This festival of Shimla is celebrated at the Mahasu village in the month of May. This festival is commemorated in front of the Durga temple. A variety of folk dance and music enlivens the place.
Rohru Fair- This fair of Shimla is held on the 9th and 10th of April. The fair is celebrated with programmes and colorful garments display by the men and women.
Pathar Ka Khel Halog- it is a fair of Shimla that takes place on the second day of Diwali festival in the month of November. A peculiar stone throwing fight takes place in this fair.
Lavi Fair-This fair is the most prominent fair of Shimla that takes place in the month of November. The stalls sells garments, utensils, wooden articles, dry fruits and herbs on this occasion. Cultural programmes are carried out.
Bhoj Fair-November gushes in with the celebration of Bhoj fair in Shimla's Guman village. This fair is a kind of homage to Devta Bansor, Parshu Ram and Kilbaru.
Festivals of Shimla
Summer Festival
This festival of Shimla is of prime attraction for the tourists and is celebrated in the month of May at the Ridge of Shimla with extreme pomp and grandeur. Folk dances and music are displayed by the school going children. So it is a beautiful amalgamation of various talented people of India who make it an event that is remembered for a long time to come. This is a busy time for the city, the hustle and bustle of tourist and locals trying to be a part of the festival keep the place fun and exciting.
Rhyali Festival
This festival is of much importance over here, celebrated during the rainy season in Shimla, Since most people here depend on agriculture to earn their livelihood, the rains are an absolute must. Rhyali festival is celebrated to keep the rain Gods happy so that the agricultural produce does not get affected.
Ten days before the date, the family priest or the head of the family gathers five to seven kinds of seeds and sow solemnly in a basket filled with soil or someplace where the household gods are kept.
Then a mock wedding is performed with a wooden hoe before the actual day. Also various fruits and clay images of Shiva and Parvati are strategically place while the priest chants for good fortune.
Winter Carnival
Shimla is India's favorite winter destination and what makes it truly special is the snowfall that it receives during the winters. Ice-skating marks the celebration of Winter Carnival in Shimla in the months of December to February. Fancy dress competitions, ice-hockey and the grand finale of a torchlight tattoo make it a marvellous occasion.
Christmas
Shimla has a white winter and Christmas is celebrated with much joy and fervor over here. The true spirit of Christmas is experienced over here, as the place is famous for a beautiful church that is decorated beautifully during Christmas. Shimla also receives heavy snowfall which makes it all the more fun to celebrated Christmas.
These festivals in Shimla keep it alive all the time. One should experience the amazingly lively and colorful celebration of all major fairs and festivals in Shimla while in India.
Previous page: How to Reach Shimla
Next page: Hotels in Shimla