Chatrari Jaatar Showcases Chamba’s Rich Gaddi Heritage and Folk Traditions

Chamba, September 22, 2026: Himachal Pradesh Assembly Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania participated in the state-level Chatrari Jaatar Mela at the historic Maa Shiv-Shakti Temple in Chatrari on Tuesday.

Dressed in traditional Gaddi attire, Pathania offered prayers at the temple and wished for the happiness and prosperity of the people of Himachal Pradesh. He also joined local residents in the traditional Dandaras folk dance to the accompaniment of shehnai, drums and nagadas.

Pathania said Himachal Pradesh has a distinctive identity rooted in its rich folk art, culture and traditions. He said traditional attire, folk music and indigenous customs passed down through generations continue to keep the state’s cultural heritage alive.

Expressing his special affection for Chamba’s cultural heritage and traditional way of life, he said the district’s sacred land and people were deeply blessed by Maa Shiv-Shakti.

Thanking Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for granting state-level status to the Chatrari Jaatar Mela, Pathania said the decision had given wider recognition to the fair’s historical, religious and cultural significance.

During the event, he distributed cello glassware to members of folk theatre groups participating in the fair. He also appealed to people to become Nikshay Mitras and contribute towards the eradication of tuberculosis from the district.

The Chatrari Jaatar is held annually as a four-day festival beginning on the second day of Radhashtami. Located around 48 km from the Chamba district headquarters, the historic Maa Shiv-Shakti Temple is an important centre of faith in the region. According to local belief, the temple dates back to around 780 AD and is known for its distinctive architectural feature of a pillar that can be rotated, along with several traditions and mysteries associated with it.

As part of the traditional celebrations, sacred water brought from the Manimahesh Dal Lake is used to bathe the deity, followed by ceremonial prayers. The fair reflects the region’s rich folk-cultural heritage and social harmony, with Khappar Budha, a traditional masked dance, and Dandaras among its major attractions.

Hundreds of visitors gather to witness performers in traditional chola-dora attire, long caps and kalgis, making the Chatrari Jaatar a vibrant celebration of Chamba’s enduring cultural traditions.

Several public representatives and officials, including Surjit Bharmauri, Dildar Ali Watt, Amit Bharmauri, Chatrari Gram Panchayat Pradhan Rinku Bhardwaj, SDM Chirag Sharma and officers from various departments, were present on the occasion.