Pathar-Ka-Khel-Halog
: This fair is held in village Halog of tehsil Shimla. Halog was the capital
of erstwhile Dhami state. The fair is held on the second day of Diwali
in the month of Kartik(November). In ancient times human sacrifice,it is
said, used to be offered to goddess Kali every year at the spot where the
fair is now held. It is also said that on this day the widow of a
ruler of the state performed 'Satti' and that before doing so she had ordered
to make human sacrifice henceforth. Human sacrifice was stopped after sometimes.
Stone throwing fight between two parties is the main attraction of the
fair and whatever blood oozes out from the wounds caused by injuries on
the bodies of the participants is collected and offered to the Kali. Apart
from the stone throwing game the 'hindola' ride is also enjoyed.
Sipi Fair : This fair
is held every year in Sihpur below Mashobra on the 1st of Jaistha(may)
in honour of Sip Devta. It is very old fair and the Rana of Koti used to
be the chief visitor. Thousands of people of the surrounding areas participate
in the fair. A goat is slaughtered in honour of the deity. Archery game
is played besides several cultural programmes, variety shows, 'Karyala',
Performance of the jugglers, magicians and acrobats provide additional
entertainment to the spectators.
Summer Festival : It is
held every year in the month of May at Shimla. It is variety cultural function
with performance of local folks, cultural program by school children and
daily performance by some famous personality. It is held on the famous
ridge ground.
Winter sports festival
: Ice-skating in Shimla is a big attraction for the sports-lovers during
winter. Shimla is the only place in Asia which has the privilege of having
a natural Ice-skating rink of the kind and offers a popular pastime to
the participants and on lookers alike. Ice-skating normally begins
in early December and carries on to February. Clear skies and low temperatures
provide series of uninterrupted sessions. There are two sessions every
day, in the morning and in the evening depending upon the frozen ice on
the ground . The hanging baloon on the Municipal Building adjacent to scandal
point works as signal , whether the skating is going to be held on
that day or not.Membership is available for the season as well as for shorter
terms and even for single sessions. Skates are available at the rink.Fancy
dress carnivals, 'gymkhanas' ice-hockey and dances enliven every season.
Rohru Fair : This fair
is held in Rohru on the 9th and 10th of Baiskha (April) on the banks of
river Pabbar in honour of Devta Shikru. People of nearby villages are the
devotees of the Devta. It is very old fair and is held to commemorate the
supremacy of the deity. This fair is also a commercial one and apart from
the performance of 'Natti' dances and cultural activities,brisk trading
is also done. Men and Women costumed in their best attire participate in
the fair. |
