Ice Skating Carnival

The Ice skating Festival is held annually at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh.

As the name suggests number of Ice skating expeditions are planned and organized by the state administration.

Over the years the carnival has gained immense popularity as thousands of tourists and participants come here durink the carnival not only to participate but even to be part of this mega carnival for the sake of fun and entertainment.

Himachal Pradesh is known fore its serene natural beauty and landscapes. 

It is so popular among the holiday destinations in India that it is also termed as “Abode of God”. he location of the state amidst the snow-clad ranges of the Shivalik, Dhauladar, Pir Pinjal and the Great Himalayas makes Himachal ideally suited for a number of winter sports which are packed with excitement and thrills.

Ice-Skating in Himachal Pradesh is one of the most sought-after winter sports that the state offers. The mountains are fully covered with snow durink winters making it a perfect location for ice-skating.

Durink winters numbers of ice skaters gather here to simply enjoy the sport of ice-skating as very few places in India facilitate the sport. The sports carnival organized in Shimla every year attracts thousands of people. The carnival generally starts in December and continues till February.

This is the best time to enjoy the snow clad mountains of Himachal Pradesh as much of the snow becomes hard and ideal for skating. The ice skating rink at Shimla is supposed to be the largest open-air in India. Not only people from India but even foreigners are seen here participating and enjoying the winter carnival.

Ice skating is a sport similar to skiing, the only difference being that in skating instead of swooshing down snow-covered slopes, you glide along a wide skating arena wearink ice-skates. You can skate with a partner or do it alone. But ice-skating is a sport that requires much better balancing prowess than required in ordinary skating.

Although the Basic equipments like skates, cap, kneepads etc. are available at the rink, yet some of the professional skaters brink their own equipments and necessities with them. At the carnival two sessions are held every day for the competitions, one in the morning and one in the evening.  

Renuka Fair

The Renuka Fair is an extremely popular Fair in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is held on the banks of the famous Renuka Lake situated in the Sirmur district. It is an annual Fair held in the month of November. The fair holds a multidimensional importance. As any fair and festival Renuka fair provides immense opportunities and ways of enjoyment, it also holds religious significance especially for Hindus. 

The fair celebrated and honors the sacrifice of mother Renuka (Mother of Parshuram). Renuka was killed by her own son on the orders of her husband. Thus, the fair actually salutes immortality of Renuka and her son. Thousands of devotees gather here every year to worship their beloved gods and goddesses.

The fair brings in lots of positivity and relaxation to the localites here. Winters spring up by this time and they also get a relief from their daily chores and routines.

Apart from the religious significance, the fair is all packed with numerous activities and events. Dance, Music, Shopping markets, Exhibitions, and many other programs are organized on the banks of Renuka Lake. Processions of twelve local gods visit the Devi's temple during the fair. A number of food kiosks and entertainment pavilions are also set up for visiting pilgrims. Thus, there is a wholesome entertainment and amusement for the tourists and visitors.

There is also an associated and age old ritual followed during the fair, wherein celebrants exchange turbans or caps even handful water to become brother and sisters in the name of deity. On the first day the idol of Parashurama is taken in a decorated silver palanquin from the Jamu village to the banks of the Giri River. The other local deities reach the spot before he does, and then together they go to the site of the fair (with Parashurama leading the jing-bang, of course) and then festivities continue.

Although there are lots of amazing lakes located in Himachal Pradesh, yet, the Renuka Lake is the most beautiful among all of them. On the bank of the lake the temples of Parshuram and Renuka Devi are situated.

Historical Traces:

According to historical evidences, sage Jamadagni the father Parsuram, got really adamant on getting rid of his wife Renuka. He gave orders to his son to chop his mother’s head. Parsuram like an obedient and ideal son blindly followed the orders and killed his mother. Pleased by his son’s diligence, Jamadagni gave him a boon. Parsuram immediately asked for his mother’s life and indeed ensured her immortality.

Time of Celebration:

Renuka Fair is held every year in the month of November in Himachal Pradesh. It is a three day Fair, celebrated on the first fortnight of November. Thousands of devotees and tourists gather here during November to enjoy and participate in this popular Fair.

How to Reach:

By Air

The nearest airheads are Dehra Dun and Chandigarh, which are accessible from Nahan and Renuka by road. Dehra Dun and Chandigarh are served from Delhi by Indian Airlines. Within the state, the capital Shimla is connected by air, from which the region is accessible by road.

By Rail

For Nahan, the nearest railhead is Ambala, 100-km away; Dehra Dun also serves as a railhead, 65-km from Paonta Sahib. Regular train services from Delhi connect both rail terminals.

By Road

Delhi is the entry point for the region. For reaching Renuka, there are two routes from Delhi, both approximately 350-km. The first route from Delhi is via Shahabad, Naraingarh, Kala Amb, and Nahan to Renuka. The second route begins in Delhi and goes via Pipli, Yamunagar to Renuka. The Distance between Nahan and Paonta is 45-km; between Nahan and Renuka is 35-Km; and between Paonta and Renuka is 58-km. Saketi is 22-km from Nahan.

 

Phulaich fair

The Phulaich Fair is held every year in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is held in the month of September in the Kinnaur district. Although the state of Himachal Pradesh is extremely famous for its fairs and festivals, especially for the spirit of its locals. Phulaich Fair is the best of its kind in Himachal Pradesh. 

According to Hindu calendar it is organized in the month of Bhadrapada, which witnesses a sprout of monsoons. The Fair is basically associated with the flower watching festival of Ukhyang in the Kinnaur Valley.

The Phulaich Festival also known as Fulaich Festival is associated with the act of remembering the ones who has passed away. The village comes alive during the festivities of the fair. Colorful stalls and participants from the nearby areas throng the place during the Festival. For tourists or visitors from outside have a proper taste of rural Himachal culture and tradition.

Celebrations:

The Phulaich fair or Fulaich fair is celebrated with great fervor by the locals of the place. The festivities normally start with villagers going on mountain top and collecting Ladra flowers. Villagers also sacrifice animals. The fair is associated with the act of remembering the ones passed away and thus relatives offer wine, rice and food to their dear deceased ones, which are later distributed among the poor. Following this ritual, the village people gather to visit the Dhangaspa family house and show their respect by garlanding the family members. Also, the village people are seen playing drums and blowing bugles to greet the heroic team that climbed the hill top to collect the Ladra flowers.

Throughout the fair number of dances are performed by the village people, carrying war weapons depicting ancient war scenes.

Himachal Pradesh:

Himachal Pradesh is very popular for its culture, traditions, fairs, festivals and natural scenaric beauty. Snow covered mountains, beautiful flora and fauna place the state in hearts of all tourists and visitors. The fairs and festivals of Himachal are celebrated with great zeal and gusto by the localites of the place. Some of these events are of religious importance while others have commercial significance and some are simple a means of entertainment and fun. They serve as healthy recreation, amusement and even as marketing place. These festivals and events of Himachal Pradesh are rich in culture, tradition and heritage.

How to Reach:

Kinnaur is well connected by air, rail and road. The nearest airport is at Shimla, 224 km from Reckong Peo. Nearest railhead is Kalka, 314 km from Kalpa an important place of Kinnaur district. The best way to reach the place is by road on Shimla Kinnaur national highway (NH 22). You can reach the place by bus or by private taxi.

By Train: Nearest railhead is Kalka in Haryana. Then narrow gauge line upto Shimla.

By Air: Nearest Air port is Shimla which is approx. 200 km

By Road: Well connected by road to Shimla the National Highway No. 22 runs through the district. Buses, taxis and jeeps are available from Shimla and Rampurivals

Sair Festival

The Sair Festival

The Sair Festival is celebrated at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is an extremely popular fair of the area and brings lots of liveliness and fun along with it. The Shimla Sair festival of Himachal Pradesh is celebrated with extreme enthusiasm in the month of September. Himachal Pradesh is already very famous in terms of its culture, fairs and festivals. Throughout the year there are number of fairs dedicated to different seasons that are observed in Himachal Pradesh. Sair fair is one such fair that makes Himachal proud.

One of the main attractions at the Sair fair is the traditional bull fight. The bull fight done here reflects too strongly on the Bull Fight in Athens. This event is organized at Arki in Solan. Although both the bull fights in Himachal Pradesh and in Athens are quite similar, one biggest distinguishing feature is the viewership. In Athens, common men are not allowed to view the event at all, while it is just the opposite in Himachal Pradesh.

The bull fight in Sair Fair is easily affordable for any common man as the entry fee is minimal. The credit for this largely goes to the administrative authorities of Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Apart form the famous bull fight, there are a number of interesting and entertaining events held during the Sair fair. Dance programs, Music performances, and many other forms of art are displayed by artists coming form far and wide to participate. A number of stalls and temporary shops are arranged for display and sale of handicrafts, pottery, utensils, garments, accessories etc.

Localites of Shimla celebrate the festival with immense joy and fervor. Women and children can be seen dressed in beautiful jewellary, garments adding a spectrum of colors to the celebrations.

Fairs and festivals are the perfect opportunity for people to come closer, buy gifts for loved ones, enjoy with friends and relatives, participate in activities, and witness cultural and traditional art forms and much more. The festivals and fairs of Himachal Pradesh are especially famous for their uniqueness and tradition specialties. Sair fair is one such fair that brings the festive spirit of Himachal Pradmesh to upfront.