Famous
Temples
Intervening Valleys
People
& their Life Style
Fairs & Festivals
Fairs
in Chamba
Jatra is a local name given to the fairs in Chamba district. Various jatras are observed in Chamba town and elsewhere in the district. The general feature of jatras is the worship of the deity of the occasion, often attended by the traditional performance by the chela of the deity who is believed to get possessed by the deity on certain occasions and answers the questions and prayers of the devotees.
Minjar Fair
Minjar is the most popular fair of Chamba which is attended by a large number of people from every nook and corner of the district. This mela is held on the second Sunday of the Shravana month. The fair is announced by distribution of Minjar which is a silk tassel worn on some parts of the dress by men and women alike. This tassel symbolises the shoots of paddy and maize which make their appearance around this time of the year. The week long fair begins when the Minjar flag is hoisted in historical Chowgan. The town of Chamba wears a colourful look with every person turning out in best attire. Most part of the Chowgan is converted into markets and people do brisk business during this week. Sports and cultural programmes are organised. On the third Sunday the gaiety, colorfulness and enthusiasm reaches its crescendo when the colourful Minjar procession of the deities accompanied by dancing troupes, traditionally attired locals, traditional drum beaters along with Police and Home Guards band, begins its march from Akhand Chandi Palace for the venue near the Police Lines Nalhora. A great concourse of people is already assembled there. Earlier the Raja and now the chief guest throws a coconut, a rupee, a seasonal fruit and a Minjar tied in a red piece of cloth - Lohan - as offering to the river. This is followed by all the people throwing their Minjars into the river. Traditional Kumjari-Malhar is sung by the local artists. Betal leaves and ittra are offered to everyone among the invitees as a gesture of respect and festivity. Untill 1943, a live buffalo used to be pushed into the river to propitiate it. It if was carried away and drowned, the event was regarded as propitious, the sacrifice having been accepted. If it crossed the river and reached the other bank, that also was auspicious as it was believed that all the sins of the town were transferred to the other side of the river.
Minjar fair has been declared as one of the state fairs of Himachal Pradesh. Wide coverage is given on TV and print media. Undoubtedly Chamba is at its very best during this fair that generally falls in the month of July/ August.
Suhi Mela
The fair begins on 15th Chait and lasts till 1st Baisakh. There is an interesting legend regarding circumstances leading to this fair. There being no convenient and sufficient water supply, Raja Sahil Varman was anxious to provide one for the town. He therefore got a water supply scheme made from the Sarota Nallah round the shoulder of the Shah Madar hill, behind the town. Unfortunately, the water refused to take the course, prepared for it. This was attributed to some supernatural cause, keeping in with the superstitious belief of the time. The spirit of the stream must be propitiated and the Brahmans on consultation counseled that either the Rani or her son should be sacrificed.
Another legend regarding this connection that the Raja himself had a dream in which he was ordained to sacrifice his son but the Rani importuned to be accepted as a substitute. The Raja was not prepared to accede to the wishes of the Rani and wanted to offer some one else for the purpose. But the Rani insisted and ultimately her wish prevailed.
Accompanied by her maidens and bare-headed, she trekked her way upto the hill to the spot near the village of Balota, where the water course leaves the main stream. There a grave was dug and the Rani was buried alive. The water began to flow as soon as the grave was filled and has ever since flowed smoothly and abundantly.
The son and successor of Sahil Varman, Yugakara mentions his mother’s name in the only copper plate of his region as Nenna Devi and she may probably have been the ‘Rani’ referred to. To commemorate this great sacrifice, a small shrine was later erected by her husband on the spot where she is said to have sat down for rest on her way to sacrificial site. A fair was fixed to be held at this place yearly from the 15th of Chait to the 1st of Baisakh. This fair came to be called Suhi Mela and was meant absolutely for women.
Fairs
in Bharmaur
Bharmaur Jatra
The Bharmaur jatra begins on the day following Janamashtmi and lasts for six days. Each day’s jatra is dedicated to a different deity such as Hari Har (Shiva), Nar Singh, Ganesh, Lakshna Devi, Keling and Seetla Devi, whose temples stand in Chaurasi area. The musicians play on dhol, narsingha, nagara, shehnai and kernal, the instruments of Hari Har temple, to herald the start of puja (prayer). The procession is led by the head priest attired in typical Gaddi dress, sporting a silken turban on head and silver mace in the left hand and puja patar in the right. Puja is performed in all the temples one by one. Both men and women enjoy dancing their traditional folk dances and the merriment continues till late at nights.
Mani Mahesh jatra
Twenty-six kilometers from Bharmour in the Budhil valley is situated the Manimahesh Lake, one of the chief pilgrimage spots in Himachal Pradesh. The lake is situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet at the foot of the Kailash peak (18,564 ft). Every year, on the eighth day of the light half of the moon in the month of Bhadon, a fair is held at this lake, which attracts thousands of pilgrims who assemble here to take a dip in the holy waters.
Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this fair / jatra. He is believed to reside in Kailash. A rock formation in the shape of a Shivling on Kailash is considered to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva. The snowfield at the base of the mountain is called Shiva’s Chaugan by the local people. According to the popular belief, the Lord is said to sport here with his consort Parvati.
Mount Kailash is considered as invincible. No one has so far been able to scale this peak despite the fact that much taller peaks, including Mount Everest have been conquered many times. One story goes that once a Gaddi tried to climb the mountain alongwith his herd of sheep. He is believed to have been turned stone alongwith his sheep. The series of minor peaks below the principal peak are believed to be the remains of the ill-fated shepherd and his flock.
There is yet another
legend according to which a snake also attempted to climb this
peak but failed and was turned into stone. It is also believed
that the devotees c
an
have a view of the Kailash peak only if the Lord is pleased. Bad
weather, when the peak is hidden behind clouds, is a sign of the
Lord’s displeasure.
At one corner of the Manimahesh lake is a marble image of Shiva which is worshipped by the pilgrims who visit this place. After bathing in the holy waters, the pilgrims go around the circumference of the lake three times. The lake and its surroundings present a majestic view. The quiet waters of the lake carry the reflection of snow capped peaks that carry over the valley.
Manimahesh is approached from different routes. Pilgrims from Lahaul-Spiti come through Kugti pass. Some from Kangra and Mandi come via Kawarsi or Jalsu passes. The easiest route is from Chamba and runs through Bharmaur. At present buses ply upto Bharmaur and jeeps upto Hadsar. Beyond Hadsar, the pilgrims have to trek for 13 kms to reach Manimahesh.
Between Hadsar and Manimahesh is an important halting place known as Dhanchho where pilgrims usually spend a night. There is a beautiful waterfall.
About one and half
kilometers short of Manimahesh lake fall two religiously important
water bodies called Gauri Kund and Shiva Krotri where as per
popular belief Gauri and Shiva bathe respectively. The women
pilgrims do take holy dip in Gauri Kund and the men pilgrims in
Shiva Krotri before proceeding to Manimahesh lake.
Fairs
in Bhattiyat
Devi Dehra near Bathri
It commences at Devi Dehra near Bathri from the date of the Manimahesh fair and continues for eight days. The venue is the temple premises of Devi Dehra. The temple is dedicated to Jalapa Mata.
BaniKhet
This fair is held at Banikhet during the month of Har for eight days from the third to the tenth of the month.
Nag Mandhor at Khatain
It commences at Khatain from the date of Manimahesh fair and continues for eight days.
Nag Bintru at Gawani
It is held at Gawani during the month of Jeth on the fifth of the light half of the moon.
Fairs
in Churah
Numerous jatras (fairs) are observed in different places of Churah tehsil. The chief among them being the jatras at Baira, Barnota and Himgiri. The time of origin of the jatras is wreathed in obscurity. In respect of the jatra held in Baira in the month of Sawan from 3rd to 5th of Sawan.
Fairs
in Pangi
Pangwals keep themselves merrily busy by observing various jatras which are often marked by dancing, singing and drinking. Almost every village provides a spectacle of one or the other jatra.
The chief jatras are those held at Mindhal and Hudan. Jatra at Mindhal is celebrated during the month of September and the one at Hudan is held during the month of June.
There is another important jatra known as ful-yatra held during the month of October.
The rugged and difficult relief of the valley precludes trade from taking advantage of these gatherings. The only highlights are therefore the rejoicings by drinking, dancing and singing.
Festivals
Baisakhi or Bisoa
This festival is observed on 1st Baisakh, the Hindu new year’s day. Earthenware pots (pitchers) full of water are placed on some grain strewn on the floor with other fruits of season. After worship by a priest these are donated to Brahmans in the name of pitras (ancestors). Relatives and friends are feasted on the occasion.
Hori
This festival is celebrated from 1st Baisakh with the same observances as are customary during the Holi; the only departure being that Hori is held at a different time. It is believed that a Raja may have died during Holi celebrations thereby necessitating the postponement of the festival for ever. Hori was celebrated with much fervour and festivity during the state regime.
Nag Panchami
This is held on the fifth day of the dark half of Jeth as a worship of snake. Men draw picture of snakes in their houses and offer their prayer to them.
Bhojri
This festival is held for two days following the Minjar fair and is frequented only by women and girls who is their gay apparel climb the flight of steps to Chamunda temple singing songs and offering flowers.
Rath Rathni
This festival is held at the new moon of Asuj. The rath is a squre frame of wood with a piece of cloth tied round it and is prepared at the Hari Rai temple. The rathni is the figure of a women made up with clothes, and is prepared in the precincts of the Lakshmi Narayan temple. All being ready, the people throw their rakhars (Silk armlets) worn on the day of Rakhar Punya at the rath and then the rath is carried to Chaugan where it is joined by rathni which has been brought from Lakshmi Narayan temple. The two figures are made to touch each other and the bearers then rush apart. The rathni is taken to Champavati temple and the rath is carried through the town, brought back to Chaugan and torn into pieces. The festival seems to be associated with marriage and widowhood but the true significance has been lost in the haze of time.
Panj Bhikhami Ekadash
This is the first of five days of fasting and falls on the 11th day of the light half of Katak. Only fruit or grain is eaten and no cooked food is taken.
Khaul Mela in Pangi
This is held on the full moon of Magh. A large lighted torch is carried by the leading person of each hamlet and waved before the nearest idol. At night a feast is held and the people make shell torches called chaink and swing them round their heads and throw at the walnut trees in the belief that if the torch is caught in the branches, the thrower will have a son.
Sil or Jukaroo Mela of Pangi
It is observed on the new moon of Magh or Phagun after the Shiva Ratri as a day of rejoicing to mark the advent of spring. At the day break the people go to the houses of their friends and relatives with sattu and mandas (wheat cakes) and eat and drink with them repeating the salutation bhala dhada (may you be well). This festival continues for days together till the people have visited all their relatives in far off villages.