Hariyali Utsav celebrated with traditional flair in Keonthal region

The Shanol festival, also known as the Hariyali festival, was celebrated with traditional enthusiasm in the Keonthal area of Junga on Sunday. Residents prepared sweet and savory Siddu as a special dish, sharing it with family and friends. The celebration included receiving blessings from the deities at the local Kul Isht Mandir. Enjoying Siddu with ghee and curd during the rainy season added a unique joy to the festivities. The Shanol festival symbolizes the rich culture of the Keonthal area, and this year, it was celebrated with great fervor.

Notably, the festival is also considered auspicious as it marks the birth of Dr. YS Parmar, the creator of Himachal Pradesh. Every year, the 20th day of Shravan month is celebrated as Shanol in the border areas of Sirmaur and Solan, in addition to Keonthal. This festival has been observed since ancient times, with special significance given to the worship of deities. In previous years, fairs and wrestling events were organized during the festival in various villages, although these traditions have waned over time due to changing circumstances. After a hiatus of two years due to the pandemic, a fair was held in Nei Neti to mark the occasion.

Senior citizen Pritam Thakur emphasized the importance of traditional dishes on Shanol festival. He highlighted that making sweet and savory Siddu, enjoyed with ghee and curd, is an integral part of the celebration. He also mentioned that the Hariyali festival has been observed since time immemorial, with women traditionally applying henna and seeking blessings from the gods and goddesses in their Kulishta temples.