Traditional Gaddi attire and folk dance highlight cultural heritage
Subhash Mahajan
Chamba
Deputy Chief Whip of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Kewal Singh Pathania, today joined the state-level Jatra Fair held at the historic Maa Shiv-Shakti temple complex in Chhatrari. Dressed in the traditional Gaddi attire chola-dora, he offered prayers to Maa Shiv-Shakti for the prosperity of the people of Himachal Pradesh.
Amid the melodious sounds of shehnai and traditional drums, Pathania also took part in the Dandaras folk dance with local residents, celebrating the rich cultural traditions of the region. He remarked that Himachal Pradesh’s folk art, costumes, and music form a unique identity, keeping the state’s cultural heritage alive across generations.
Expressing his deep attachment to Chamba’s traditions and people, Pathania said the district is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva and Maa Shakti. He thanked Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for granting the Chhatrari Jatra Fair state-level status, noting that the recognition has enhanced its historical, religious, and cultural significance.
On the occasion, Pathania distributed cello glassware to participating folk troupes and urged people to join the Nikshay Mitra initiative to help eliminate tuberculosis from the district.
The event was attended by Surjeet Bharmauri (Chairman, District Congress Committee), Dildar Ali Watt (Chairman, Haj Committee), Amit Bharmauri (General Secretary, Pradesh Congress Committee), local panchayat representatives, and senior officials from various departments.
About the Fair: Located 48 km from Chamba headquarters, the Maa Shiv-Shakti temple at Chhatrari is a revered center of faith, believed to have been constructed around 780 CE. The temple’s unique rotating pillar and ancient traditions make it a cultural landmark. The four-day Jatra Fair begins on Radhashtami, when holy water from Manimahesh Dal Lake is brought to bathe the idol of Maa Shiv-Shakti. Highlights include the Khappar Budha mask dance and the Dandaras folk dance, performed in traditional chola-dora attire with long caps and crests, drawing hundreds of devotees and visitors each year.
