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Another occasion is a Buddhist fair falling in Phalgun (February/March) when many people from the Buddhist Himalayas come on pilgrimage.
Rewalsar is equally important to the Sikhs who have a Gurudwara there. This Sikh shrine was built in commemoration of Guru Govind Singh's visit to that place.*
The sense of faith and religion, the impact of the mythological stories and the temples have given rise to the large number of religious fairs and festivals that are observed in Himachal Pradesh. While discussing the temples and legends of some of the districts in Himachal mention has been made of the religious fairs and festivals. A brief mention may be made here.
The fairs and festivals, religious in outlook, offer a good avenue for the sale and purchase of consumer goods, demonstration of cinema shows and a clearance of locally made articles like clothes, garments, pashmina shawls, leather and furs, hides and skins etc. The local musicians and orchestra parties get a chance to show their skill. Folk artistes and dancers stage folk dramas. Women-folk get a chance to come out in their fineries and do shopping. Every mela ground assumes a festive appearance.
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* The Cultural Heritage of the Himalayas by K. L. Vaidya, (National, New Delhi, 1977) Page, 143-144,
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