Kinnaur/New Delhi
Against the snow-washed backdrop of the Kinnaur Kailash range, the annual Kinnaur Mahotsav 2025 has begun with colour, rhythm and an unmistakable sense of cultural pride.
Inaugurated by Jagat Singh Negi, the Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister of Himachal Pradesh, on Thursday, the four-day state-level festival, being held at Reckong Peo, is expected to draw hundreds of visitors and artisans to celebrate the district’s tribal identity, art and sustainable livelihoods.
At the inauguration he emphasised the importance of tribal handicrafts and culture, noting that the festival would feature exhibitions of tribal art, film-documentation, literature, forest-based products and traditional cuisine.
“This festival is our window to the world — a chance to show how our traditions continue to thrive amid the high Himalayas,” said a local artist who inaugurated his wood-carving stall at the venue.
Cultural Curtain-Raiser
The opening day saw a ceremonial inauguration at the Mini Sports Stadium, attended by state and district officials, artists and community elders. Folk troupes from villages across Kinnaur presented traditional Nati and Chhanak dances, while a parade of schoolchildren in tribal attire added youthful zest.
Visitors explored stalls displaying handmade silver jewellery, woollens, bamboo crafts, forest-based products and horticultural produce. A dedicated corner screened documentaries on tribal lifestyles, and an interactive session introduced the district’s indigenous healing practices and oral literature.
Line-up for 2025: Four Days of Culture, Sports and Dialogue
The Mahotsav’s 2025 edition packs an ambitious calendar of events:
- National Tribal Festival (Oct 30–31): A two-day exhibition featuring handicrafts, tribal art, documentary films, folk literature and herbal medicine traditions.
- Adventure and Sports: A community marathon on October 31 and mountain-sport demonstrations in collaboration with local youth groups.
- Cultural Evenings: Nightly stage programmes presenting Kinnauri and Himachali folk music, dance troupes, a “Miss Kinnaur” showcase and performances by invited artists from across the state.
- Trade & Livelihood Pavilion: Sale counters for Kinnauri apples, dry fruits, hand-woven shawls and metalcrafts, offering artisans a direct market.
- Workshops & Discussions: Expert-led sessions on heritage tourism, sustainable horticulture and revival of traditional crafts.
A Festival Rooted in Tradition
Though the Kinnaur Mahotsav has evolved with time, its essence remains rooted in the region’s harvest traditions. Locals recall early versions of the celebration dating back to the 1980s, when post-harvest community fairs gradually grew into a full-scale state-level cultural event by the mid-1990s.
Held after the apple harvest and before winter’s first snowfall, the festival is both thanksgiving and showcase — a moment when communities gather to share their craft, cuisine and music with the world.
“The Mahotsav strengthens the link between our economy and our identity,” observed a Kinnauri elder from Kalpa village. “Our apples feed the markets, but our culture feeds our soul.”
Why Kinnaur Mahotsav Matters?
- Preserving Identity: Kinnaur’s tribal languages, rituals and festivals remain distinct from the plains. The Mahotsav keeps these living traditions visible to younger generations.
- Boosting Livelihoods: Artisans, horticulturists and forest-product gatherers find a state-level platform for income and recognition.
- Tourism & Connectivity: The festival positions Kinnaur as a key Himalayan destination, attracting cultural tourists and helping improve local infrastructure.
- Policy Dialogue: Government departments use the event to connect welfare schemes and entrepreneurship programmes directly with tribal communities.
Himachal’s Scheduled Tribes
Himachal Pradesh is home to several Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities — including Bhot/Bodh, Gaddi, Gujjar, Jad, Kanaura (Kinnara), Lahaula, Pangwala and Swangla — together accounting for about 5.7 percent of the state’s population (3.9 lakh people, Census 2011).
Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti are fully notified Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, reflecting their high tribal concentration and challenging geography. The Kinnaur Mahotsav thus functions not only as a cultural showcase but also as a symbol of empowerment, linking heritage with modern aspirations.
