Bharara Fair, Shimla Overview

Bharara Fair is held every year in the Village of Bharara in Shimla on the 1st of May every year which is also called the 1st of Jaishtha. It is held in the honour of Lord Koteshwar, locally known as Devta and is open for people belonging to all caste and creeds. The fair is an event where everyone comes together to celebrate and seek blessings from the Lord. People attend in large numbers to honour Lord Koteshwar. They come beautifully dressed in colourful traditional clothing and stunning jewellery and accessories. The sight makes it a splendidly vibrant event. Locals and tourists of all age groups attend the fair to witness the authentic spirit of Bharara Village.

Bharara Fair has been celebrated since ancient times in Shimla. A procession of Lord Koteshwar is taken out to the streets with great enthusiasm. The idol is beautifully decorated with colorful clothing and jewelry. Devotees sacrifice goats for the Devta as an offering and perform the traditional Nati Dance. The Nati dance is a traditional folk dance of Himachal Pradesh. It has been titled as the most massive folk dance in the world by Guinness Book of records as it has thousands of dancers participating in the performance. The fair also has fun rides, kiosks selling gifts and souvenirs and some food stalls selling delicious local food. Explorers who are always in search of a new location and wish to experience new customs, rituals, and traditions must not miss attending the Bharara Fair in Shimla.

Legend of Koteshvar Devta

Bharara Fair is held every year to honour Lord Koteshwar who is the Kul Devata or the commanding deity of the region. The Koteshwar Mahadev Temple located in Kumarsain near Bharara Village is often visited by devotees to offer prayers and seek blessings from the goddess. Lord Koteshwar is said to be an avatar of Lord Shiva who meditated for ages here. He is said to be a powerful deity who is also considered a member of the family and worshipped with immense respect and love. It is believed that Lord Koteshwar helps devotees during their troubled phases and gives them the energy and protection they need to live a happy and prosperous life.

Tips

1. The fair could get very crowded. Tourists are responsible for their safety and the safety of their belongings.
2. If travelling with children, always be with them and do not let them go out of sight.

How To Reach Bharara Fair

The Village Panchayat of Bharara is situated at a distance of 10 kilometres from the centre of the city, Shimla. There are regular buses plying to and fro that tourists can take or hire cabs or taxis to reach the village.