Himachal: the land of Art and Culture
The harmonious blend of inter-religious fervours make Himachal Pradesh reverbrate with an aura of spiritualism.
In Himachal Pradesh, both the Hindu and Buddhist community stay in harmony. Area wise religion speaks in a different tone. In Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti valley are highly influenced by the Buddhism. In fact, Spiti is called the ‘little Tibet’ because of the lifestyle and culture it inherits. Dharamsala has become a sacred place because of the presence of the spiritual guru-Dalai Lama. Likewise Kinnaur has its own Hindu mythological background. A large number of temples show the religious aspect of the state. The state boasts as many as 6,000 temples where the Himachali people maintain a number of rituals and ceremonies. Such rituals find an expression when on every occasion the state shares the colourful folk dances in their traditional attire.
There are numerous occasions when people in Himachal Pradesh wear a festive mood and celebrate a number of festivals in a traditional manner. Every temple in the valley celebrates a festival during the year. Every year the Kulu Dussehra is held with a great spirit on the onset of winter. It is a gathering of as many as 200 idols from across the valley. All of them descend in their chariots to pay homage to the presiding deity Raghunathji.
In the month of May, the celebration of Hadimba Devi Temple in Manali is a great affair for the pilgrims who come across the country. Winter also comes with colour and enjoyment when the age-old Lavi fair fills Rampur in Shimla with a burst of activity. During the occasion, by the churning waters of the river Sutlej, a variety of goods including wool, dry fruits and horses are bartered and sold. The legendary Renuka lake in Sirmour too celebrates a fair on its banks where people from all class come for trade, recreation and amusement. Here the idols of Lord Parshurama and Goddess Renuka are ceremoniously dipped in the sacred water of the lake. On this occasion the local people take initiatives in fair matchmaking. Apart from the religious fairs and festivals there are some general sports too that Himachal Pradesh takes part in. Here the water sports competitions held at the Maharana Pratap sagar and Gobind sagar.
The Himachali spirit works not only in celebrating the festivals but also in producing artwork at its best. Warm Kulu shawls, the handloomed pashmina, embroidered scarves and the footwear are well-known artwork of Himachal Pradesh. Besides, miniature paintings, wood-carving and the beautiful carpets are remarkable that tempt the tourists.
