Shimla: Fairs and Festivals in September

As the rains end, autumn sends fiery colours racing through the hills. In Kinnaur, the festival of flowers, ‘Fullaich’ (Phulech) opens a window to its remarkable people and their beautiful countryside.

Villagers scout the hillsides for flowers which are collected in the village square. These are then offered to the local deity. Then comes a spate of revelry - singing, dancing and feasting. Kalpa has some of the most vibrant celebrations and every twelve years, there is a special festival. Also in September, at the village of Chhatrari, near Chamba - and centered around the exquisite temple of Shakti Devi - a fair is held and masked dances are performed.

The Kangra valley celebrates the festival of Sair. This is also celebrated with stalls, singing and buffalo fights at Arki (Solan) and Mashobra (Shimla) both near Shimla. At Nurpur in Kangra, under the watchful walls of its old fort, the Nagini fair bids the summer farewell. In the same district on September 27, World Tourism Day is celebrated. In Sirmour, there is a Regatta at the Renuka Lake and Nahan hosts the Bawan Dawadashi fair.