Shimla: Fairs and Festivals in March

Centered around the temple of Trilokinath, Char is celebrated in Lahaul. The town of Mandi with Its ancient temples revels in the Shivratri fair for a whole week. On elaborately decorated palanquins, hundred of local deities are carried to the town. Accompanied by folk bands, they make their first stop at the Madho Rai Temple and then go to pay obeisance to Lord Shiva at the Bhootnath Temple. This is followed by festivities - music and song, dance and drama. Yet, all the while the atmosphere is surcharged with deep religious devotion.

In third weekof March, the fascinating Nalwari fair is held at Bilaspur. Cattle are traded, there are wrestling bouts – aero and water sport shows are recent additions.

Holi Festival is a riot of colours and celebration of spring, alogng with it comes laughter and vitality. There are exuberant celebrations at Palampur (Kangra) and Sujanpur (Hamirpur). By the banks of the river Yamuna the shrine of Paonta Sahib in Sirmour is thronged by Hindu and Sikh devotees . In Sirmour, the Balasundari fair is held at Trilokpur near Nahan, it coincides with the sacred days of the Navratras. The temple of Baglamata, near Bankhandi in Kangra is also a major focus during these days.

Chait, the first month of lunar calendar is celebrated with dancing by women in Kullu and by folk singers in Chamba.

At the shrine of Deothsidh (Seo) on the district border of Hamirpur and Bilaspur, a month long fair is held in March and April.