Gaddi Festivals

Common Festivals celebrated by Gaddis are common with those of other inhabitants of the region.

Baishakhi :

Baisakhi or 'Bisu' is celebrated on the Ist of "Baisakh" month(mid April). On this day cakes of Bhares and wheat flour are taken.

Sair :

"Sair" is celebrated with great enthusiasm on 1st of Asuj (Sept-Oct) month. Meat is eaten on this day. Some take "Sur"(homemade beer, Babrus (fried bread)of wheat flour are eaten with variety of vegetables. People go to their relatives, specially married daughters visit theri parents. This day is considered as the end of rainy season.New clothes are purchased on this occasion.

Patroru Sagrand :

"Patroru Sagrand" is celebrated on 1st of Bhadon (August-September) month. On the eve of the day `Kachalu leaves' roled with `Besan' (gram dal flour) are fried in oil. Babrus are also eaten on this day.

Lohri :

"Lohri" is celebrated in the sarne way as that of plains. On this day `Khichari' of rice and Mash Dal is eaten with Desi Ghee and curd.

Shivratri :

Shivratri is favourite festival of gaddis as it is associated with Lord Shiva. It is celebrated in the month of Phalgun (Feb-March). On this day some keep fast and cereals are not taken by many persons.

In addition to these festivals, Holi, Dussehra and Janamashtmi festivals are also celebrated in the same manner as by other communities.

Gaddi Fairs

Gaddis of Kangra and Bharmour attend almost all the fairs. Some of them even go to Chamba to attend the Minjar fair. Many go to Mani Mahesh also to have dip in the holy waters and perform Puja. In Kangra district Dal fair, Ghanyara fair, Dari fair, Navratra fairs and Holi fairs at different places are held which are equally attended by Gaddis. To the fairs they go well dressed in their traditional attractive clothes. The use of Sur and Jhol is very common in the fairs. Sweets are purchased from the mela. Tamak is also beaten by Gaddis. Very few Gaddis go to attend the `Suhi' fair which is held at Chamba. In this fair "Naina Devi" is worshipped. Six day long fair, which is held at Brahmaur, is also attended by a few Gaddis of Kangra district.