Fairs and festivals are integral parts of the Indian culture and Himachal – the “Abode of Snow” is no exception to this. The celebrations are many, from religious to tribal and from cultural to contemporary, all adding colour to Himachali lives. The local festivals and fairs are observed with great fervour. Most of the fairs and festivals are connected with the various seasonal changes. There are many folk-stories connected with the beginning of each festival. The popular festivals of the region are depicted below.

Pori Festival
Out of the many festivals celebrated in the state, the Pori festival at Trilokinath temple is the most incredible of all. A proper tradition is maintained with its celebration. On this day the idol of Lord Trilokinath (Lord Shiva) is bathed in milk and yogurt, the conch shells ring, and many other rituals are also performed. A butter lamp is lighted up and it burns all day and night. The devotees add butter to the lamp. A procession with a horse is carried out and it is believed that god sits on the back of the horse. All devotees accept the ritual Prasad after the celebration.

Dussehra
The festival of Dussehra is the principle celebration in many parts of the state. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The festival is celebrated to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolises the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. More details…

Fulaich
Locally the festival of Fulaich is called “Ookayand”, meaning the festival of flowers. The festival is celebrated in the Kinnaur district. On the 16th day of the month of September Fulaich is celebrated by the rural people of Himachal Pradesh. They offer rice, wine, and meat to the departed souls, on a mound made of bricks. Villagers scout the hill sides for Ladra flowers and collect them at the village square. These flowers are then offered to the local deity. Then comes a spat of revelry – dancing, singing and feasting.

Holi
Holi is the most colourful amongst Himachal's innumerable festivals. It celebrates the arrival of spring and death of demoness Holika; it is a celebration of joy and hope. Holi provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people from all walks of life enjoy the festival. The Holi festival of Sujanpur traces its colourful history back to the glorious days of King Sansar Chand. It is now a state festival declared by the Himachal government. More details…

Minjar
It is celebrated in the month of July or August at Chamba. Maize shoots or minjars, strung on silken threads, are cast into the river Ravi at the start of this week long festival to seek blessings for a bountiful harvest.

Rakhadumni (Rakhi)
Rakhadumni or Raksha Bandhan is a sacred festival of Himachal Pradesh celebrated in almost all parts of the state. On this occasion sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother's wrists. Brothers in turn give them gifts and promise to protect their sisters. Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different forms in different areas and it is also known by the names of rakhi, rakhri and saluno. More details…

Guga naumi
This festival to worship snakes is observed in the month of August-September. A tradition is connected with this festival. On this day large feasts (Bhandara) are organized at all the temples of Googa (Googmadhi) in which the food grains collected by the Guru (head priest) are used. The farmers also come with offerings of food and pray for their well being. Pictures of snakes are drawn on the walls with turmeric and people feed snakes with milk and butter.

Diwali
This is the festival of light which is celebrated all over the state. This festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Deepawali commemorates the return of Lord Rama by completing his exile of 14 years. The festival usually comes in the month of Oct-Nov. More details…

Khogal
In the month of January a popular festival called Khogal lights up the whole Lahaul valley with colorful lamps and electric bulbs. On the full moon night of Khogal, the male society gathers at a commonplace and drinks on a local brew known as Chakti. They visit houses one after another till mid night. After that a person climbs to the roof top of a house and starts beating drums and playing flutes. This is the beginning of the celebration and hence people run with lighted torches towards their houses to chase the evil spirit away. At last they offer Puja to their family deities including their local deity Baraja.

Karwa Chauth
Karwa Chauth is celebrated mostly amongst the entire North Indian community settled either in India or other parts of the world. The most important aspect of this day is that a dawn to dusk fast is undertaken by the married women and seeing the moon they finally break the fast. The fast is unique perhaps because nowhere in the world does a wife go without food or water just to pray for the longevity and well-being of her husband. More details…

Renuka Fair
The fair is celebrated in the month of November at Nahan. People from the nearby villages gather at the shores of the Renuka Lake to celebrate the completion of the harvest, at this fair. Other important religious and tribal festivals of the state are Khepa, Magha Naun, Lohadi, Faguli, Basoa or Bishu, Losar and Sairi.