Credit: instahimachal.com
A festival of light, diwali is a major festival that is known to everyone but have you heard about Halda festival. A similar festival of light in the deep mountains of Lahaul valley in Himachal pradesh. It almost looks like Diwali is known by the name of Halda or Khogal.
Mountains do not hold beauty but a treasure of such folk festivals that are very old. The different tradition going back centuries speak about the history and culture of the region.
As the onset of winter begins, three major valleys Chandra, Gahar and Pattan, lightup in the festivity of the Halda. People from both Hinduism and Buddhism celebrate on the date declared by the Lama according to the buddhist calendar.
During the festival, a thick blanket of snow covered the Lahaul region. It’s believed by the locals that during such a time, the influence of evil forces increases in the valley and also returns to heaven. During the Halda festival , locals come out of their houses holding torches made of cedar wood. The festival increases the participation of locals when it is difficult to even come out in temperature of less than 20 °C