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Phag: Rampur celebrates festival
by Nagendra Ranta

          Rampur (Himachal Pradesh): The people of Rampur in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh celebrated Phag festival. The annual Phag fair is organised to herald the New Year. And, Rampur, which has also been hosting the centuries old Indo- Tibetan trade fair in November, is today also known for its festivities during this six-day affair. "The aim is to celebrate this Phag fair, at the arrival of Hindu New Year, in the last week of Phalgun month of Hindu calendar. Basically it is celebrated to welcome the New Year," said Kamdas Kadda, a resident. Located around 130 kilometres north of Shimla, Rampur remains abuzz during Phag festival, which is participated by a big number of people from far and wide. Phag is derived from the Sanskrit word Phalgun or Fagun. The Phag festivial showcases the cultural heritage of Himachalis, as the residents of Himachal Pradesh are known in common parlance. Fourteen deities from five districts - Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Kinnaur and the Lahaul and Spiti - take part in the fair that is celebrated with much devotion and cultural display. Phag fair dates back to Bushar dynasty centuries ago when the a lot of shepherds used to come to the gates of the palace's along with their herds of sheep. And, the King used to host a fair for them.

         Today, the same tradition has been kept alive in the form of Phag festival. Every year farmers come in large groups to Rampur, carrying local deities on their heads or in religious processions. "All my family members and relatives come here to participate in the fair. We celebrate it with full enthusiasm," said Kamla Devi, a visitor from Mandi District. Apart from being an auspicious fair, Phag festivities are also an occasion for the farmers to congregate and meet each other. Legend has it that Bushahr dynasty was founded by 'Pradhuman', the son of Lord Krishna. In order to marry the daughter of Banasur, the local chief of Shonitpur (Sarahan), Pradhuman is said to have come to that place and after the death of Banasur in an encounter with him, he became the chief of Bushar and Kinnaur regions, since Banasur had no son.
- March 15, 2007

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