International Lavi Fair, Rampur

International Lavi Fair, RampurA sprawling township on the banks of Sutlej River, Rampur Bushehar is the gateway to Kinnaur and Spiti. The town was founded as a trading outpost and Lavi Fair is the outcome of a treaty signed between Bushehar and Tibet. Lavi fair of Rampur is the most important fair held every year in the district Shimla of the State of Himachal Pradesh. It is a commercial fair held on the 25th of Kartika (November month). The fair is held for four days (11th to 14th November) and has been accorded an international fair status.It is said that the fair was related to the signing of trade treaty between the erstwhile Bushahr State and Tibet. The shepherds of Kinnaur migrate to warmer places before the onset of winter and on their way they halt at Rampur. The woolen goods, dry fruits and medicinal herbs brought by them are purchased by the people and the traders of the plains and food grains, clothes and utensils are sold. It is a very old fair and entirely related to the sale and purchase of goods.Good grade pashmina wool, woollen garments, dry fruits, spices, goods imported from Tibet and the sure footed Chumurthi mountain horses have a ready market at the fair. Before the 1962 Indo-China war, Tibetan gold, rare gemstones and Tibetan artefacts used to be traded for wheat, salt and other Indian merchandise at the fair. Penetration of roads and closing of the Indo-Tibetan border has reduced the fairs traditional wares.In the evenings, cultural nights are held where troupes put up entertaining performances. ‘Natti’ dances and cultural shows are the main attractions.Getting there: Rampur can be reached by road only and is 130 km from Shimla. The nearest airport and railhead is at Shimla.Sarahan (40 km approx), a tourist destination, is easily accessible from Rampur.Far below in the valley tumbles the river Sutlej. Across lie the snow-covered Shrikhand peaks and a host of other mountains that divide the Sutlej and Beas valleys. This is an area closely connected with the epic Mahabharata and the exile of the Pandavas. Sarahan itself is surrounded by fields and orchards, and small villages with remarkable examples of local architecture. Sarahan is revered as one of the fifty-one Shaktipeeths and the temple of Sri Bhimakali is a resplendent example of indigenous building skills. For several centuries this was also the capital of the former princely state of Bushair. Himachal Tourism’s hotel The Srikhand & cottage is available at Sarahan.Places to stay: ‘Hotel Bushehar Regency’, run by Himachal Tourism, offers a comfortable stay at Rampur. Plenty of private hotel and guest house accommodation is available in the area.