Churdhar is a beautiful place in the Sirmaur district which is basically famous for the temple of Lord Shiva’s. Churdhar or Chur-Chandni is a solitary peak that literally means ‘moonlight gleaming on the snow’. Here in this place there is a Shiv Ling, which is believed to be the religious Ling. The name of the place is derived from… Read More »
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 »
Bharara fair: Bharara fair in Bharara village near Kumharsain, held in May. Devta Koteshwar is brought in the fair and goats are sacrificed. But now high court has banned in 2014. The fair is cultural and recreational and ‘Natti’ dances are performed. People also enjoy ‘Hindola’ ride. Bhoj Fair: This fair is held in… Read More »
1. The Annadale: The first fun fair was held in Anna dale in September 1833 to raise funds for girl’s school at “Subathu”. The viceregal dance was held in Annadale in honor of the queen’s “birthday” on 24th May 1839. Durand football tournament, inaugurated by Sir Mortimer Durand in 1888 was held here. Presently, Annadale… Read More »
Smt. Gauran Devi w/o late Dr. L.C. Dutt, born in 1895, in Rawalpindi (Pakistan). She was an active national volunteer in Freedom Movement from 1921-47. Smt. Gauran Devi now a resident of Kishore Cottage, Shimla. Smt. Gauran Devi did commendable work in the ‘Swaraj Movement‘ and was a close aide of Gandhiji. She used to… Read More »