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Introduction to Chaitrual Festival
Chaitraul also well known as the festival of pictures is one of the celebrated festivals of the Sirmaur area in Himachal Pradesh. It is performed on a certain day in the bright fortnight of the moon in the month of Chaitra. As a mark of richness and prosperity, the houses are painted and decorated with figures of male animals and crops on this day symbolizing abundance and wealth.
Time of Celebrating Chaitrual
On this Chaitraul day the family deities are taken out into the fields, and a particular dish known as Poltu is cooked. In some instances, the deity is positioned in middle of the field and an extraordinary savory gruel is prepared as offering to the Lord. Food is distributed to the poor people. It is a ritual on this occasion to break clay pots to get rid of the evil spirits. Another famous feature involved is Khone, a custom of compromise between the gods and the demons. Chaitraul festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra that is in between March and April.
Description of Chaitrual Festival
Some other features of this festival are suggestive of prehistoric customs. One such custom is 'Khore' or Khone. It is said to symbolize the compromise between the gods and the demons (the Aryans and the non-Aryans). In this a man from a definite family dresses up in special robes and wears a demon mask (Khor). Cloth phallus is hung near his neck and a cloth vagina (chhunchhuni) below his waist. The young men in the village bring a phallus-shaped stick from their homes known as Chaitral-Shid and tickle the 'khone' pronouncing obscene comments. These continue throughout the night obscene and over friendly jokes are also cracked with women. At the end of the night the khone returns to the temple, having first gone around the village with drummers. As they are driven back, the wheels of the chariots of the gods are brushed with thorny twigs. As the procession begins their journey to home clay pots are broken to chase away evil spirits.
A visit to Himachal Pradesh is lifetime experience. Fairs and Festivals in Himachal Pradesh are as colorful as the State. Himachal Pradesh is varied in its riches. It has been suggestive through its Saints, philosophers, music, handicrafts and its festivals with all their colorful rituals and traditions, all of which mingle together to give a true reflection of Himachal Pradesh. Chaitrual Festival in Himachal Pradesh is a reflection of the colorful and vibrant culture and customs.
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