Sirmaur District is full of fairs and festivals. Most of these fairs and festivals had their origin in some religious or otherwise holy or sacred concept or commemoration. Dance and music came to be associated with these occasions partly because of the natural fondness of the hilly people for these traits and partly because music and dance have traditionally been the integral features of many forms of religious worship in India. Thus, merry making and worship have long been mixed together in the celebration of fairs and festivals. The following are some of the significant fairs and festivals of Sirmaur District.
Byas Fair: It takes place five days before the festival of Holi, in the month of Chaitra. It is said that Vyas Rishi practiced penance at the site of the mela where now there is a temple dedicated to the renowned Rishi. At a distance of about 4 km from the mela site are remains of a ruined town. Several interesting legends are associated with the destruction of this village. Wrestling matches constitute an important feature of the fair. Near about two thousand people attend the fair coming form far and wide to make their votive offerings to Lord Shiva and Vyas Rishi.
Gandhi Fair: At Amboa Gandhi fair is held on 30th of January each year when a large number of people, from hills and the plains of Bhangani, gather here. This fair is of recent origin, started after Independence, is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and has most of the features of a village fair
Nag Naona Fair: This fair s organised during the festival of Dussehra at an ancient and flood damaged Nag-Naona temple near Purowala village in the Paonta Sahib Tehsil.
Vishu Festival: Vishu festival falls on the last two days of the solar month of Chaitra and the first of Baisakh that is in the month of April. It is more or less similar to the Baisakhi celebrations of the plains. Vishu fair is held in several villages, and the dates of this fair vary. All over the hilly areas of the Paonta Sahib Tehsil it is celebrated from 1st to 12th Baisakh. Archery is the highlight of this fair. Besides thoda (dance with archery), there is much of feasting, drinking and general dancing.
Haryali Festival: As the name signifies this is a festival of luxuriance. The time of its celebration seems to have given rise to its name as it is celebrated during the rainy season on the first of Shravan and last two days of the preceding month of Asadha. Haryali songs are also sung.
Lohri or Maghi Festival: It commences on the 28th of Pausa. Nearly the whole month of Magha is spent in feasting and merry-making. The preparations for this celebration begin at least a month in advance.
Salona Festival: It is celebrated on Puranmashi of Shravan. People offer prayer to their deities and oblation to their forefathers after changing their sacred threads. This festival is also called Raksha Bandhan.
Fairs in Sirmaur District also have commercial values. Temporary shops and stalls thus became the added feature of fairs and festivals in most places. These fairs and festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm in several parts of the district and they contribute heavily to the culture of the region.
