Fair and Festivals in Shimla

Fair and Festivals in Shimla

Though having British lineages from the past the city of Shimla looks traditional when it comes to the celebration of fairs and festivals. The Pahadi people celebrate most of the Hindu festivals along with their own tribal festivals. Apart from all these traditional festivals the city of Shimla celebrates the onset of snow fall by holding snow sports. 

For the people of Shimla Diwali, Navratri and Christmas are the major events related to religious festivities. Like elsewhere in India these festivals are celebrated with much fun. They also celebrate harvest festivals lie Baisakhi, and Lohri. Baisakhi is called as Bissu here. Lohri marks the beginning of Rabi (crop) sowing. Rhyali festival is celebrated before the rains begin to please the rain God. 

Bhoj fair, Lavi fair and the Sipi fair are the fairs of Shimla. Bhoj fair is a tribal fair of Devata Bansor (the deity) held in November for three days. ‘Natti’ dance will be performed before the deity. Lavi fair is a business fair commemorating the trade between Tibet and the ancient Bushar rule. It is held usually in November and is called the fair of Rampur. Sipi festival is celebrated during May to please the Sip deity. This fair is celebrated with a variety of acrobats and Pahadi dance shows. 

Shimla celebrates two festivals related to seasonal changes: Summer festival and winter festival. The summer festival would be held in May and the winter festival will be organized in the winter months (December, January and February). Ice skating and skiing on snow clad slopes are the highlights of this festival.