Fairs in 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.

Temples in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal is god's own abode. There are too much temples that one cannot even count them all. Alsmost every temple has some kind of fair or festival connected with it. Dotted with temples, the State has literally one every hamlet. Most of the temples have legends dating back to centuries, some as old as mankind itself. Some of the famous temples are described below :

Hatkoti Temple :

( In Shimla district ) 104 km. from Shimla is the beautiful temple valley where the river Pabbar flows and nearby is a temple dedicated to Durga and Shiva. This is where the godsare said to have fought a pirched battle. Hatkoti is en-route to Rohru and is surrounded by lovely picnic spot. 

The other important temple in Shimla district is a temple dedicated to Hanuman, situated at Shimla's highest peak at Jakhu Hill offering paronamic views of the town, the hill and other distant mountain ranges.