Halda festival

Lahaul-Spiti residents celebrate Halda festival for luck, abundant harvest.

• Halda Festival is celebrated in January in the Lahaul-Spiti district, Himachal Pradesh.
• It is dedicated to Shiskar Apa, the Goddess of Wealth, for blessings of prosperity and a good harvest.
• Celebrations are prominent in the Pattan, Gahar, and Chandra valleys.
• Villagers craft torches called Halda from pencil cedar branches, symbolizing male family members.
• Torches are lit and gathered at a central place as part of the rituals.
• The Asur Dance is performed on the last day in Khangsar village, Chandra valley.
• The festival ends with rituals at the temple of Deity Nag Raj.