Culture of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is inhabited by majorly Hindus which includes different communities such as Brahmins, Rajputs, Choudhary, Kannets, Rathis, and Kolis. Himachal Pradesh is also the home of many communities of tribal people such as Gaddis, Kinnarms, Gujjars, and Pangawals, etc. 

Hindi is the official state language of Himachal Pradesh but the people of Himachal Pradesh speak a number of different languages. The majority of the population is dependent on the agriculture sector but now the engagement of people is increased in the tertiary sector.

Art and crafts of Himachal Pradesh

 It seems like the people of Himachal Pradesh have not only inherited their traditions but also the art of nurturing their talent in every possible way. Himachal Pradesh is famous for its Handicrafts. The lovers of the Pashmina shawl found in Himachal are all over the world. Himachali Topi is a symbol of the culture of Himachal Pradesh which resembles the simplicity of culture in a very graceful way.

In business, carpentry, and pottery people are actively engaged. Here you can purchase no. of products made up of bamboo such as sofas, chairs, baskets, and metalwork such as utensils, silver jewelry, vessels, etc. which shows the perfection of craftsman of Himachal Pradesh. Nature has provided abundant natural resources to the people of Himachal Pradesh which they have received hand folded and maintained its elegance.

The handicraft that comes out of this state is carpets, leather works, shawls, metalware, woodwork, and paintings. Pashmina shawl is a pretty product that is in high demand not only in Himachal but all over the country. Colorful Himachali caps are also famous artwork of the people. A tribe namely Dom is expert in manufacturing bamboo items like boxes, sofas, chairs, baskets, and racks.

Metalware of the state includes utensils, ritualistic vessels, idols, gold, and silver.

Weaving, carving, painting, and chiseling are considered to be part of the life of Himachalis. Himachal is well known for designing shawls, especially in Kullu. The architecture, objects, shops, museums, galleries, and craftsmen charm with the variety perfected through time.

Music and Dance of Himachal Pradesh

Music and dance of a place resemble the ethnicity and the culture of that place so do the Himachal Pradesh dance and music. Music and dance are also a way for the indigenous people to connect to their god. You cannot bind the art of music and dance to one specific area that’s what the case in Himachal Pradesh. In Himachal Pradesh, no. of dance forms prevail in different areas such as Dangi of Chamba region, Gee, and Burah dance of Sirmour region, Naati, Kharait, Ujagjama, and Chadhgebrikar of  Kullu region which is adored by people all over the country. These dance forms play a vital role in the life of tribal people. The variedness and complexity of dance show the novelty and faith of people toward their culture and tradition.

There is no classical form of music but folk music is mostly preferred by the Himachal people. The music and Dance of Himachal Pradesh have always been the high point of attraction for tourist who wants to know about the culture and tradition of people here.

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Fairs and Festivals of Himachal Pradesh

Although every day in Himachal Pradesh is like attending the festival of nature, there are fairs and festivals which the Himachali people celebrate. In these festivals and fairs, you can witness how much the people of Himachal Pradesh adorn the culture that they have inherited from their ancestors. People who wear colorful dresses and accessories resembling their culture in pristine form actively participate in these fairs and festivals.

Some of the common festivals are KulluDussehra, Rakhiri (rakhi), Shivratri Fair, ShooliniMela, Sazo Festival, Minjar Fair, Mani Mahesh ChhariYatra, Renukafair, Lavi Trade Fair.

Fairs and festivals

Apart from the fairs and festivals that are celebrated all over India, there is a number of other fairs and festivals also that are at the high point of Himachal Pradesh. These festivals are the time for the Himachalis to adorn colorful dresses and accessories and get mixed up with the rest of their kins. Some of these fairs and festivals in the upper regions are the Kullu Dussehra, Shivratri Fair (Mandi), Shoolini Mela (Solan), Minjar Fair (Chamba), Mani Mahesh Chhari Yatra (Chamba), Renuka fair (Sirmaur), Lavi Trade Fair (Rampur), Vrajeshwari fair (Kangra), Jwalamukhi Fair (Jwalamukhi), Holi Fair (Sujanpur Tira), and Naina Devi Fair (Bilaspur), Fulaich {Kinnaur valley}.

In the lower regions of Himachal are temple Fairs in Una District such as the People Fair, the Bharoli Bhagaur Fair, the 'Mairi' Guruduwara Fair, the 'Chintpurni' Temple Fair, the 'Kamakhya temple' Fair, including the annual Himachal Hill Festival in the village Polian Purohitan during the fourth week of October. The centuries-old Sair festival^[5] is celebrated mainly in Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, and Solan districts every year in mid-September. It is celebrated to mark the end of the crop harvest and also the rakhi thread is removed and offered to the mother sairi.