On the day of festival, people in Himachal Pradesh generally keep themselves free from routine work. They cook special food, must bath, wear neat and clean clothes and worship at the temple with traditional identity. Songs and dance are common features on such occasion. For them, even a small event is big enough to be celebrated. Some of the important festivals of Himachal Pradesh are given one by one.

Important Festivals in Himachal Pradesh :

Chet:- (Dholru) is the first month of the lunar year and the first day of the month is cellebrated with a belief to bring hapiness and prosperity. This festival is known as Chatrali in Kullu and Dholru in Bharmaur area of Chamba district. In district Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur, first day of Chet month hold special importance.

Haryali :-It is also known as Shegtsum in Lahaul, Dhakhrain in Jubbal and Kinnaur. This festival is celebrated on the Ist Sawan - 16th July. Few days before the festival, seeds of five to seven kinds of grains are sown together in small basket full of earth by any member of the family near the place of the household deities. Stems are offered to household deities and are also placed on the upper frame of the door. Farmers do not yoke oxen on this day. Blood sucking insects like Lice, Bugs, Flees etc. are burnt with cowdung balls. People in Kinnaur district garland village deity with wild flowers. Dancing and singing is a common practice during the festival.

Chrewal:- It is also known as Prithvi pooja in some places. It is celebrated on the Ist of Bhadon - middle of August. This continues for full one month. The farmers do not yoke oxen during this month. In Kullu, this festival is known as Badranjo. In Chamba, it is called Pathroru. It is a festival of flowers here. This is an occasion of great celebration, particularly for girls who dance on this day.

Jagra:- It is a rite offered to any village deitiy. This is commemorated each year on the fourth day of the month of September. Mahasu Devta (deity) is worshipped in upper Shimla hills, Kinnaur and Sirmaur regions of the state. Singing and dancing is the common feature of the festival.

Phulech:- Celebrated only in Kinnaur region in the month of Bhadon or in the beginning of Asauj. People from each household proceed towards hilltops to collect flowers, which are offered to village deity and afterwards these flower garlands are distributed among the people. Priest makes forecasts about crops and changes in seasons etc. Priest's words are taken for granted by local people.