Dev Bhoomi Himachal Pradesh, located in the northern region of India, is known for its picturesque landscapes and rich culture. Ahhhh!!!! Bored of listening to this? Well, welcome to the world of fairs and festivals of Himachal Pradesh! Aside from the imposing landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, the state is also known for its colourful festivals. From religious festivals to cultural celebrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. These fairs and festivals showcase the state’s unique traditions and customs and provide a glimpse into the lives of the local people.
The Himachal Pradesh festival calendar is filled with a variety of celebrations each month. Not only do they serve the needs of economic sustenance, but they also make it to cultural survival. Most celebrations are held when people are not bound by household obligations. In the freezing months when life in remote areas is paralyzed by the bitter cold, these celebrations provide a source of frolic and fun.
Himachal’s Lahaul Has Something Coming in Soon. Let’s Shed Light on that
One of the beautiful festivals in Himachal Pradesh that closely resembles Diwali, is the Halda festival celebrated in Lahaul valley.
We all know that different dialects are spoken in different valleys of Himachal Pradesh, similarly, the method of celebrating Halda in every valley of Lahaul is a bit different, and in the same way, there is a slight difference in the rituals of celebrating Halda. Halda is a special part of the Himachal Pradesh festival list which is dedicated to the ‘Shikhar Apa’ the Goddess of wealth who is worshipped on this day.
Halda is a festival celebrated for two days in the valley, usually celebrated in the month of January/February. The date of the festival is prepared by the priests and lamas according to their ‘pothi’ (religious books). The arrival of this festival also heralds the arrival of agricultural work and sowing. While the valley is covered with snow during this festival, locals still celebrate it with full enthusiasm and pray to the deities for a prosperous harvest throughout the festival.
In valleys like Ghartinan, the date of Halda is decided by the chief lama of the valley. This day mostly falls on Sunday and Tuesday and it is mainly the day of fire which is called Mewar in Tinnam valley, whereas Halda is celebrated every year on the first full moon day of Magha month in Pattan valley.
What is Halda?
To celebrate the festival, pencil cedar branches are cut into strips and tied together into bundles to make a torch called Halda. Haldas are made for different reasons in every valley. The number of Haldas prepared in some valleys is the same as the number of male members in the family. In some areas, Halda is prepared in large quantities and kept, which is also used in other festivals and cremations.
Apart from this, Halda is mainly prepared to worship the Deities and keep the evil forces away from the valley. Some people believe that the Deities visit the valley at this time. However, they are accompanied by evil forces. For this reason, especially the local residents of the Tinnan Valley do not come out of their houses. Other beliefs hold that this is the month that gods leave for heaven and the evil forces become, even stronger, so people celebrate Halda to cleanse the negative energies.
Also, there are some rules for preparing Halda. The time at which Halda will be prepared is pre-decided, and in which direction the Halda wood will be cut, is also decided beforehand. In the same manner, as everyone has a zodiac sign in the Hindu Panchang, every person in Buddhism has a zodiac sign based on the year of birth. This is called a ‘lau’. So, according to the rules, the member of the house whose zodiac sign matches the years will prepare Halda, if no member of the family has the same law, then other members prepare Halda after worshipping all the family members and convincing them.
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How Halda Festival is Celebrated
With lit cedar twigs, people step out of their houses and proceed to locations selected by Lamas. As soon as people reach the bonfire location, lit twigs are thrown into the fire. As the villagers return home, they eat traditional cuisine and drink Arak and Chhang while dancing and listening to music.
Top Attractions
It is the most awaited festival in the Himalayas that is celebrated with great excitement. The Halda festival in Himachal Pradesh features heady cocktails, cheerful family gatherings, and splendid dancing throughout the festival. People from different corners of the world come to admire Lahaul’s immaculate landscape which is typically covered in snow during the festival.
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What People Do
The way Diwali is called the festival of lights, in the same way, and with the same pomp, the people of Lahaul celebrate Halda. During the festival, people dress up in traditional costumes, prepare different types of sweets and dishes, recite prayers, and together take Halda from home to a fixed place at night. It is important to note that in every house, the deity of the village, the family deity (Kul Devta), and the Halda that is taken out of the house are made separately. Halda prepared for the village deity is called Jirak Halda. Wherein the Halda prepared for the family deity is called Rama Halda or Sad Halda, the third Halda which is also known as Chuksu Halda or Nam Halda is prepared to remove the bad energies from the house. It is also a kind of defect prevention, which is also called Tada by the local people.
Apart from this, many Haldas are made and taken out in some areas of the valley. Panmukh Halda is taken out late at night in Nalda village. In some places, Halda is also taken out for ancestors, which is called Dev Halda. In many villages, Halda is also prepared for the Buddhist temples there, which are called Gompas. The village head takes Halda from its house to a place where later people gather to burn it together. When the head of the household leaves the house with Halda, the rest of the household closes the door. The head returns with a small piece of snow called Nakhti. Upon returning home, family members ask him what he has brought. Then the chief answers Jankhio Mulkhio Dhandaulat Khayon, which means that I have brought gold, I have brought silver, I have brought all the valuable things like money and wealth, only after hearing this answer, the door is opened for the chief.
Additionally, at the beginning of the festival water is collected in some utensils. In fact, in olden times there used to be only one source of water and it used to be outside the house. At the time of Halda, in some areas, people do not come out of the house till the end of the festival, which is why the house was kept filled with water at the beginning of the festival. Today everyone has electricity and water facilities in their homes, but this tradition has been maintained even today. So when the head of the house comes with the snow which is called Nakhti, they distribute it equally in the utensils and after that King Baliraja, one of the seven Chiranjeevis, who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu is worshipped. Every dish made during the festival is first offered to Bali Raja and only after that, it is eaten by the members of the family. So this is how the Halda festival celebrated with great pomp ends.
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How to Reach for Halda Festival
To reach Lahaul, one can take the following routes:
By Air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport, also known as Kullu-Manali Airport, which is approximately 80-100 km from Lahaul. From the airport, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Lahaul.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Jogindernagar Railway Station, which is approximately 250-300 km from Lahaul. From the railway station, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Lahaul. The other one is Shimla Railway Station, which is approximately 300-400 km from Lahaul.
By Bus: Lahaul is well connected by road with regular bus services from cities like Delhi, Manali, and Shimla.
By Car: Lahaul can also be reached by private car or rented vehicle from Manali or Shimla via Kinnaur-Spiti road.
Lahaul receives snowfall during this festival. So it is recommended to check the road conditions before planning a trip to Lahaul in winter.
The Halda festival in Lahaul is a truly unique and special experience. The traditional dances, music, and costumes transport one to another time and place, and the natural beauty of the Lahaul valley is just the perfect backdrop for the celebration. It’s magical to see how the local community comes together to showcase its culture and heritage, and the warmth and hospitality of the people are truly remarkable. For anyone interested in culture and history, this festival is highly recommended.
Read More: Top Fair and Festivals of Lahaul and Spiti
Learning and passing on traditional languages and storytelling is one of the best ways to preserve our culture. When people come together to celebrate cultural events, and festivals, or participate in cultural activities together, it helps to build a sense of community and belonging. Preserving culture is an ongoing effort and requires the participation and support of the entire community. It’s also important to recognize that cultures evolve and change over time, and preserving them should not mean freezing them in time, but rather preserving the heritage and tradition with the ability to adapt to changes.
Life is Beautiful.. Stay connected to your roots!
P.S.- We would be delighted if you could share how Halda is celebrated in your valley and what you call the rituals in your area if you are from Lahaul.
And if we left something out, please tell us in the comment section. Perhaps the information may be useful to other readers as well.
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