What many refer to as, “Little Tibet” or “The land of Gods”; Lahaul Spiti seems to have a world of its own. The two separate districts of Spiti and Lahaul were combined to form the present district of Lahaul and Spiti back in 1960. Lahaul’s comparatively fertile land offers a greener contrast to the more barren lands of the Spiti region.
The Kunzum Pass situated at an altitude of 14,931 ft forms the entrance route to Spiti from Lahaul. The two together are home to one of the most culturally enriching adventure treks you can ever take on. Thus, it is hardly a surprise that the district continues to be a common pick on the bucket-list of every adventure freak in love with the Himalayan treks.
But, what many don’t realize is the immense richness of culture that Dev-Bhoomi of Himachal Pradesh has to offer. Many of the tourists, thus, end up missing out on its many magnificent fairs and festivals. Lahaul Spiti is no exception to this common trend. So, if you are travelling to Lahaul and Spiti; we don’t want you to miss out on the same. In this blog post, we hope to introduce you to this lesser explored side of the beautiful district and the two valleys.
Top 9 Fair and Festivals of Lahaul and Spiti No One Told You About –
| Festival Name | Month When Celebrated |
| 1. Khogla | Second and Third Week of January |
| 2. Fagli Festival | Second Week of February |
| 3. Gothsi (Gochi) Festival | February |
| 4. Tsheshu Fair | June |
| 5. Keylong Tribal Fair and Festival | 14th – 16th August |
| 6. Ladarcha Fair cum Festival | August |
| 6. Pauri Fair | Third Week of August |
| 7. Gataur Fair |
Fourth Week of September
|
| 9. Chakhar Fair |
Fourth Week of September (Once in three years)
|
If you have ever been curious about the culture and traditions of the district; these are the top Lahaul-Spiti events to attend. It will allow you to get a real insight into their rich cultural heritage without going that extra mile. Just remember to schedule your trips accordingly.
1. Festival Of Light (Khogla)
(Pattan Valley and Other Lahaul Valleys; January)
First one on our list is the Lahaul variant of Diwali. Popularly known as Khogla in Pattan and Halda in the remaining valleys of Lahaul; this festival of light is celebrated in the second and third week of January.
A traditional torch called Halda is made for the occasion by cutting the pencil cedar branches into fine strips; later tied together to form the torch. These Haldas also hold a close resemblance to the Hola’s made in upper Shimla regions. Each household lights their respective Halda in the evening and the entire neighborhood then brings it together at a pre-decided center place. Each time paying homage to a separate deity of the region, the process is repeated from four to five times. As others pay respect to their diety, natives in the Gahar valley also curse the Ranas of other hostile clans during the process while honoring their own deities.
2. Fagli Festival
(Pattan Valley; February)
Locally referred to as Kus/ Kuns, Fagli is an almost Desi version of Thanksgiving. Various rituals of the day also include the head couple of the family expressing their gratitude towards their deities, elders and their cattle. Celebrations in the later days also include an exchange of gifts among friends and relatives.
The festival begins on the day of Amawasya during the first or second week of February after a fortnight of Khogla. Villagers in the Pattan Valley light oil lamps and also decorate their houses for the occasion. Additionally, a Baraza is set up; consisting of a 2-3 feet tall bamboo stick mounted on the floor draped in a white chader to represent the angel of Shikhara- Appa. The angel in turn is considered to be the grandmother of the peak and believed to bring prosperity with her visit to a home.
The festival is also marked by the ritual of preparation of Totu and Kwari by the eldest couple in the family earlier in the morning. While Totu is distributed as Prasad among the family members; Kwari is later thrown to the crows. The couple also goes on to pay their annual respects to their cows and sheep acknowledging their dependence on the cattle for survival.
Other family members also pay their respects to their elders as they wake up and families visit their close relatives and aged people in the vicinity later in the morning. Interestingly, each day of the festival is given a special name suggesting the day’s significance. For instance, one day is called “punha” signifying ploughing. It is observed by symbolic ploughing as fields are covered under snow during this time.
3. Gothsi (Gochi) Festival
(Bhaga Valley; February)
Particularly celebrated among households where a son was born in the preceding year, Gothsi is celebrated in the Bhaga valley in the month of February. All the villagers gather in the morning and Sattu dough is made. It is placed in a big plate and taken to the place of the village deity. A young girl carrying a pot of chhang (a local drink) also accompanies the four men carrying the big plate.
Joined by the new mothers who recently had their first son; the young girl is also followed by two more men. They carry a burning stick of pencil cedar and cedar leaves tied together in a lamb skin. The village priest called the Labdagpa worships the God with a bow and an arrow and the dough is broken and thrown away to appease gods. Later, the lamb skin is also placed near the idol of the village deity and is shot at by arrows. Throughout the ceremony, you will also notice ironsmiths beating the drums. After completing the rituals of the day, people return to their homes to celebrate with their families.
4. Tsheshu Fairs
(Gemur, Kardang, Kyi, Mane, Shashur, Tabo; June/July)
Coming as a festive relief after the long winters; Tsheshu fair marks the beginning of Summer in the Spiti valley. It is celebrated across monasteries in Gemur, Kardang, Kyi, Mane, Shashur and Tabo. It is usually organized in the months of June or July.
Devil dance performed by the Lamas is the major attraction of this fair. Lamas are dressed in colorful attires adorning masks representing different birds and animals as a large number of devotees gather to witness the celebrations.
The long awaited fair also serves as a reunion occasion for the locals and is indicative of an end to the particularly harsh life of the winter. It aims to rejuvenate their spirit and inspire hopes of prosperity with the coming of a warmer season.
5. Keylong Tribal Fair and Festival
(Keylong, 14-16 August)
Keylong Tribal Fair is popularly referred to as the Kumbh of the valley. Corresponding with the Indian Independence day, the tribal fair is held between 14th to 16th of August. It is organized at the police ground in Keylong; the present district headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti.
The cultural festival attracts not only people from the region but also from across the country and abroad. It has been recognized as a State level fair and is thus celebrated with a great show. Apart from local artists, cultural troupes and artists are also invited from Chamba, Dharamshala, Kullu, Leh and Chandigarh to make it even more lively and vibrant.
6. Ladarcha Fair cum Festival
(Kaza, 3rd Week of August)
Ladarcha fair presently held in the headquarter town of Spiti Sub Division; Kaza is organised in the third week of August. It earlier used to be celebrated in Kibbar maidan in Spiti in the month of July. Traders from Ladakh, Rampur Busher and Spiti would meet to barter their produce. But, owing to the closure of Tibetan traders, the fair location was shifted to Kaza. Despite odds, it has emerged as one of the most prominent trade fairs in the district and has become an annual meeting point for traditional traders as well as cultures of Ladakh, Spiti, Lahaul, Kullu and Kinnaur.
7. Pauri Fair
(Lahaul, 3rd Week of August)
A Lahaul contemporary of Ladarcha, Pauri fair is also celebrated in the 3rd week of August. However, in a major contrast, it is characterized by pilgrimage and festive activities rather than traditional trade. In a pleasing sight of unity and solidarity, people of all casts and creeds from Lahaul as well as Chamba and Kullu come together to join in the celebrations.
Locals usually begin their preparations at least a week before and the fair begins with all going for the darshan of the Triloknath statue of Lord Shiva. It is followed by three or seven clockwise parikrama in the designated parikrama gallery along with the soft chanting of “OM MANI PADME HUM” mantra. The fair begins post these obeisance and temporary shops and stalls are set up at the fairground. The locals organize themselves in a huge circle and dance to the melody of folk songs in the evening.
In the most important part of the ritual; a traditional procession is taken out on the second day. Headed by the Thakur of Triloknath riding on a decorated horse; the procession leads its way to the seven springs from where the seven gods of the region had appeared as per the folk tales. It later returns to the ground for some more festivities for the day.
Read More: Rich Culture and Traditions of the Halda Festival in Lahaul
8. Gataur and Chakhar Fair
(Lahaul & Spiti; 4th Week of September)
Gataur Mela and Chakhar Mela are two similar fairs celebrated the Lamas in the monasteries of Lahaul and Spiti. While Gator is held each year, Chakhar is celebrated only once in three years. Notably, both the fairs are in-fact celebrated during the 4th Week of September. Lamas worship Lord Chaugayal during Gataur while Lamas worshiping Lord Chikchait for six days during the Chakhar Fair. Subsequently, the Lamas throw saur into the fire while performing the Chham dance the next evening and on the seventh day in case of the rarer fair.
Celebrations in the form of fairs and festivals are simply a part of life in the majestic valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. They offer them moments of joy and escape from their otherwise tough routines. While there are a plethora of festivals happening all year round, these are our “Top 8 Fairs and Festivals of Lahaul and Spiti” to attend.
As any wise old folk will tell you, “The easiest way to have a quick peak into the old traditions of a place is to witness its cultural fairs and festivals.” So, next time you are planning to visit the two valleys, make sure to also drop in to enjoy these heart-warming treats. We promise you that they will surely take you back to those good old days.
