Hamirpur was formerly known as Trigarta, according to historians. The Mahabharata is where we first encounter it. The Trigarta king, who sided with Duryodhana during the Kurukshetra war, is thought to have been the ruler of Hamirpur. Long before the Mahabharata, this area was home to a rich culture. It’s only natural for an old civilization’s culture to be based on legends and myths. Indeed, folk literature has been passed down from generation to generation for a large part of Hamirpur’s customs and traditions.
Various clans have visited this rich and beautiful land over the years, some to stay, others to loot and plunder. Nonetheless, each of them has left an imprint on its culture.
As the majority of people in Hamirpur are Hindus, Hinduism has a strong influence on the culture of the city.
Folk Songs
Hamirpur’s culture, like its people, is explicit but dynamic. Their intrinsic enthusiasm for life is expressed via dances and music at important occasions like weddings, fairs, and festivals. Gidha is a popular folk dance for ladies, whereas Chanderwali is a dance genre that is only performed by men. Similarly, jetras are female-sung folk songs, whilst Jheras are male-sung folk songs.
Traditional Musical Instruments
Tabla, flute, shehnai, dholak, damroo, nagara, thali, dhafli, and other musical instruments are commonly used to accompany such songs and dances. Weddings and other momentous occasions are also celebrated with the use of these musical instruments.
Famous Fairs Of Hamirpur
Hamirpur is also known for its vibrant festivals. Some of these are run by the government, while others are run by private organisations. Hamir Utsav and Tira Sujanur’s Hoil Fair are two of the most popular state-organized fairs. Hamir Utsav is usually held in the months of October and November. The recital of jatras and jheras adds to the excitement of these occasions. This programme also includes dances.
Holy, on the other hand, is celebrated on the Phalgun Purnima, which falls in the months of February and March. Different legendary tales, songs, and dances add to the festival’s cultural splendour. Indeed, the festival commemorates not just Radha and Krishna’s eternal love, but also the triumph of good over evil.
Baba Deotsidh, Gasota Mahadev, Ghasian Fair, Chaniary Fair, Awaha Devi Fair, Tauni Devi Mela, Sair Fair, Piplu-ra-Mela, Baggi Mela, and others are some of the other well-known fairs held in Hamirpur. All of these fairs are the result of the people’s great faith in God. They are, nevertheless, commercially significant to the people of Hamirpur. The state-organized cattle fairs in locations like Dhirara, Jahu, and Chakmoh, on the other hand, are important from an economic standpoint but have no religious significance.
Hamirpur is surrounded by a vast expanse of greenery punctuated by villages. Even though the area is slowly becoming more industrialised, the locals still live a simple life. The majority of individuals in the rural region make their living from farming or animal husbandry. These are simple, God-fearing individuals. Hamirpur’s culture reflects both this rural simplicity and this appreciation for the natural world.
