Turmeric Man of Himachal Pradesh

Do you get excited at the thought of an upcoming celebration? For a Himachali, the answer is a resounding yes. Himachal Pradesh, known for its divine beauty and vibrant culture, celebrates every festival with immense joy and enthusiasm. To truly experience Himachali customs and culture, you must attend some of the state's major festivals. One such celebration is the Sair Festival. This festival marks the end of the harvest season, an ancient tradition that still flourishes in the heart of Himachal Pradesh.

Significance of Sair Festival

Sair is typically celebrated in mid-September, coinciding with the Hindu month of Ashwin is a vibrant display of cultural and religious significance.. While the exact date may vary across regions, the spirit remains the same.

• Harvest Completion: Sair is a thanksgiving ceremony where farmers express gratitude for a bountiful harvest, sharing their blessings with the community.
• Farewell to Gods: The festival marks the departure of deities to their heavenly abode after spending the monsoon season on Earth.  Offerings of harvested crops are made to the gods to ensure a successful next season, accompanied by the sound of drums and trumpets as a warm farewell to the deities.
•  Welcoming Winter: As Sair marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter, it is a crucial time for the people of Himachal Pradesh. Families start stocking up on food grains and firewood, essential for the colder months. The elderly perform rituals to ward off evil and protect their families and homes from misfortune. The local legends and tales of demigods add a mystical element to the festival, enriching the cultural tapestry of the region.

Traditions and Rituals

Despite evolving over the years, the essence of Sair remains intact among the local communities. People prepare special meals, wear new clothes, and purchase new utensils and kitchen appliances.

• Decorations: Homes and villages are adorned with colorful decorations, reflecting the festive mood.
• Puja and Offerings: Special prayers and offerings are made to the deities, seeking their blessings for prosperity and well-being.
• Feasts: Sair is a time for culinary delights. Traditional dishes are prepared and shared among family and friends.
• Cultural Programs: The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region through folk dances, music, and other performances.
• Fairs and Markets: Many places host fairs and markets offering a variety of goods, entertainment, and amusement.

Diverse Celebrations Across Regions

The ways of celebrating Sair vary across different regions. In Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, and Bilaspur, the festival is a more intimate affair celebrated among family and friends. In contrast, Shimla and Solan see grander celebrations, often resembling a fair, filled with enthusiasm and a spirit of enjoyment.

Sair in Kangra, Hamirpur, and Bilaspur

The preparations for the morning puja start the night before. People gather their harvests, which typically include maize, guava, lemon, and wheat. Wheat is spread on a plate, and each fruit is placed on top. The next morning, a village barber visits each house carrying the symbol of Sair Devi and is given some of the season's harvest along with money. This offering, known as ‘chadawa,’ often includes 'Rakhi' and 'Suhaagi.' 

A typical Sair celebration platter includes dishes like Dahi Bhalla, Aloo Ki Sabji, Meethi Roti, Gulgule (fried sweet balls), Bhutoru (fried yeasted bread), Kabuli Channe, and Pakodu. Kheer is also made in many households. These dishes are shared among relatives, who reciprocate with their own preparations. The following day, lemons are thrown into rice fields in hopes of a better harvest the next year.

Sair in Mandi

In Mandi, people celebrate by buying and giving walnuts to their loved ones. Streets are lined with vendors selling walnuts in large sacks. A traditional walnut game is played in rural areas, where players aim at scattered walnuts, and if they hit the target, they keep the nuts. Traditional dishes like Siddu, Kachori, Childu, and Gulgule are prepared. There's also a custom called ‘Drub dena,’ where younger family members seek blessings from elders by offering walnuts and touching their feet. The elders then bless them by placing the walnuts behind their ears.

Sajja in Kullu

In Kullu, the festival is called ‘Sairi-Sajja.’ The night before, a feast of lamb and rice is prepared, and the next day begins with special cleaning and pooja of the ‘Kul’ deity, followed by the preparation of halwa, which is shared among family members. The festival marks the beginning of the Shravan month, and people exchange ‘Joob’—a green plant, similar to grass—while seeking blessings from elders. It's believed that on this day, deities descend to earth, and people welcome them by beating drums. Each village has its own deity, which they worship and honor during this time.

Sair Fair in Solan and Shimla

Fairs are held in various places on this day, and people participate enthusiastically. Drums are played, and folk dances are performed. In Solan’s Arki and Shimla’s Mashobra, a notable event was the bullfighting spectacle (now banned). About 50 bulls would be gathered for the event, and they were given alcohol before the fight. Unlike in Athens, the bullfights were accessible to everyone, with minimal entry fees. This spectacle is reminiscent of similar traditions in Spain and Portugal, making it a unique cultural experience in India.

Besides the bullfights, the fairs feature stalls and temporary shops selling handicrafts, pottery, clothes, accessories, and utensils.

Modernization and Traditions

Sair Festival is more than just a celebration; it is a reflection of the deep-rooted traditions and cultural heritage of Himachal Pradesh. However, modernization has led to a gradual decline in some traditional practices. The barber culture mentioned in the Sair celebration in Kangra is fading, with fewer barbers visiting houses to collect coins, grains, and walnuts. Despite this, the core traditions of gathering after the monsoon, meeting family and relatives, especially married sisters, and preparing for winter and the Shravan month continue with enthusiasm in less modernized areas. Fairs provide an opportunity for people to come together, buy gifts, and experience cultural and traditional art forms.

This festival, with its vibrant customs and community spirit, continues to be a significant event in the lives of the Himachali people, connecting them to their past and preparing them for the future.