Shimla: Fairs and Festivals in January

A cliche if you will - but often laced with snow - the year opens with a heady cocktail. Thousands of revelers head to celebrate the new year in Shimla, Chail (Solan), Manali (Kullu) and Dalhousie (Chamba). Around New year comes Halda in Lahaul, which is a more private celebration of the event. Along the valleys of Chandra and Bhaga rivers, a few members of every household step out with lighted cedar twigs to a west oriented place selected by the ‘lamas’. These slender branches form the first flames of a bonfire which is then dispersed. Shiskar Apa, the goddess of wealth is worshipped, and the dancing continues for a couple of days.

There is greater sobriety, but no less joy, when Lohri or Maghi comes along in mid January. This is the traditionally mid winter day and also commemorates the last sowing of the Rabi crops. Community bonfires, folk songs and dancing, mark the festival. In tribal Spiti, Dechhang is celebrated at the height of winter, while the Lahaul area reserves it for early April. At Paonta Sahib (Sirmour) the major focus is on Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday. The town and other gurudwaras close to it, are closely linked with the Guru’s life.

On a mid-night towards the end of Paush (December-January), Phagli begins in Lahaul’s Pattan valley with snow being packed in a conical basket - kilta.This is upturned on the roof, this resembles a Shivalinga. Shiva, Naga and the goddess, Hadimba are worshipped, and the younger generation mark this by venerating the village elders. Chhang and lugari, locally brewed liquors flow freely, and ritual dishes are eaten. Kinnaur’s Sazi (or Sazo), also comes at around this time.