Polyandry is the phenomenon in which a female cohabits in the company of two or more males. In other words, polyandry custom was that in which two or more persons had a single wife. This social custom was widely practised in Keonthal, Bushahr, Jubbal, the trans-Giri tract of Sirmaur among the Shimla Hill States, and… Read More »
Begar System in Himachal Pradesh Begar system was prevalent in the erstwhile Shimla and Punjab Hill States of Himachal Pradesh since time immemorial. Begar means forced labour or employing anyone without remuneration. Describing begar or forced labour in the hills, Satyanand Stokes wrote, “Begar was the system by which the transportation of each state was… Read More »
In the Shimla Hill States and many adjoining countries such as Mandi, Kullu and Kangra, an obnoxious custom namely Reet was prevalent since time immemorial. Definition of Reet Marriage: It is difficult to give any precise definition of Reet. To some it was a form of marriage but to others, it was the payment usually… Read More »
Beth was an obligation to render personal service in return for certain cultivating rights. Those, who rendered this service for rulers and zamindars were known as bethu (service tenant). The bethu occupied and tilled land which in fact belonged to the Raja or Zamindars. He cultivated a portion for his subsistence and the remaining portion… Read More »
Ladarch Festival: It is an annual fair held near the village of Kibbar. It is celebrated in the month of July. Sissu fair: This fair is a common fair celebrated all over the Buddhist Himalaya. Phagli or Kun fair: This fair is celebrated in the month of August in Pattan valley at Trilokinath Temple. Like… Read More »
Marriage Types in Lahaul There are mainly three types of marriages prevalent in Lahaul. ‘Tebagston or Mothe biah’ that is an arranged marriage. ‘Kowanchi Biah’ that is arranged but performed very briefly. ‘Kunmaibagstan or Kuchi Biah’ that is a marriage by elopement. Marriage Type in Spiti There are mainly two types of marriages. Arranged marriage… Read More »
Rang Mahal is one of the largest monuments located in Surara Mohalla of Chamba town. It has streets on three sides from east, west, and north, while on the fourth is the residence of wazirs of the former ruling family of Chamba. The literal meaning of the Rang Mahal is ‘The Luxury Palace’. The architecture… Read More »
Chaitra festival: It is celebrated in the month of Chaitra at village Chhagaon. Beeshu: It is celebrated where Chaitra is not celebrated. Dakreni or Dakrain: It is celebrated in July-August in Pangi. The fair starts with the singing vulgar songs. Ukhyang or Phulaich: It is commenced in Rupi in month of Bhadra (August) and in… Read More »