Fair Himachal Pradesh

There are 20 state level fairs or festivals recognised by the the Government at present in Himachal Pradesh. They have an educational, social as well as religious character. These serve the needs of social integration not only for economic sustenance but also for cultural survival. Generally the fairs are held at such a time when the people are free from their household engagements. Fairs give them an opportunity to purchase and sell needed articles. Traders from far and near join these festivals to display articles like clothes, wool, pashmina, furs, leather, hides and skins, pottery, metal ware, jewellery, ornaments, fruits, vegetables and many other local products coming from the homes and fields of the ruralities.Fairs in Himachal Pradesh have very positive role to play in social life. Himachal is a land of Devi and Devtas - land of gods and most of the fairs are of mythological nature. But to keep on rhythm in various walks of life, fairs have occupied predominant role and aquired varied dimensions, such as trade, agricultural, seasonal and fairs connected with festivals etc. So intensive the fairs hava become, that people of all shades and interests participate in large numbers. There is hardly any village where no fair is held. There is almost continuous succession of fairs.

Baisakhi :

This fair is held at various places in the state. People carry village deity with music procession from one place to another. In upper hills, people perform 'Mala Dance' by joining hands to form a large circle. During day time, some games like archery and wrestling are also played.

Minjar Fair ( Chamba ) :

This festival is held in the month of August on second Sunday. It continues for a week. Minjar ( maize flowers) festival is celebrated in district Chamba at a place 'Chowgan' in Chamba town.Maize flowers, a coconut, a rupee or a smaller coin, a fruit and a few paddy tentacles are offered to Varuna, the god of rain. It is a state fair. It is difficult to say, when the fair first started, but the present form of the fair is attributed to Raja Sahil Verman, who ruled the state in the 10th century A.D.

Naina Devi Fair :

This fair is held in the month of August, at Naina Devi Temple, in district Blaspur, which is 8 km. from the Gangul Power House. This is the most delightful fair in district Bilaspur.

Kullu Dushehra :

Kullu Dushehra mirrors Himachal culture in its entirely.. It clearly shows the lefestyle, love of dance and music of the people in this region. To see the colorful Himachal at one place, Kullu Dushehra is the right place. Although Dushehra is celebrated all over the country, but in Kullu, it has its own distinctive glamour. This is a state fair.People from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh throng to enjoy Kullu Dushehra.