Doongri Fair

Celebrates the birth anniversary of Goddess Hadimba Devi, when troupes gather to perform the traditional Kullu Nati folk dance.

To mark the natal anniversary of Goddess Hadimba, who is worshipped as the supreme ancestral matriarch and environmental protector of the upper Beas river valley.

Villagers from surrounding hill hamlets march toward the temple carrying beautifully adorned wooden palanquins (Raths) representing local deities. Men and women wear traditional wool caps and embroidered drapes, performing the slow, elegant Kullu Nati dance in massive open fields to the live sound of long horns (Shena) and drums.

The central ritual involves the formal gathering and rhythmic dancing face-to-face of the guest deity palanquins before the pagoda-style temple steps. Priests perform elaborate herbal purification ceremonies (Pooja) inside the inner cave sanctum, followed by mass distributions of community prasad.

Goddess Hadimba is believed to wield absolute command over the weather and natural hazards of the valley. Keeping her happy through these annual gathering rituals ensures that the valley is shielded from destructive summer landslides and guarantees safe passage for travelers over high passes.

The current unique temple structure was constructed in 1553 AD by Raja Bahadur Singh of the Kullu royal lineage over a prehistoric rock-cave shrine. The fair has remained an unbroken annual focal point for indigenous forest-worship for centuries.

Under the towering, canopy of centuries-old deodar trees, the ancient wooden pagoda temple stands. The forest air vibrates with the piercing, high-pitched notes of traditional flutes and the deep thud of drums as decorated village palanquins rock and sway like living entities. Dancers wrapped in shawls move in slow, geometric lines, capturing the magical essence of Himalayan folklore.