The tourist season is slowly coming to an end, but peace and quietness in the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh is still not there! For in October most weddings (determined by a priest astrologically), the seven-day international Dussehra festival and many other important holy holidays take place, such as Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on October 2 and Karva Chauth.
So the people here are busy!
The Dusshera Festival is more like a big fair, with Ferris wheels, ear cleaners (yes, read correctly ;), local products and many treats! People flock from all villages to their district capital to stock up on clothes for winter!
On the other hand, the weddings are not only fun, but above all hard work. Here it is customary for at least one family member from each house to help preparing the wedding. Indian weddings are with 3000 guests quite big and last 5 days long and that means not only dancing, eating and drinking, but also work!
Karva Chauth is a very special ritual that is becoming increasingly popular with women: the wives fast from four in the morning until the moonrise at 10 o’clock at night, for the well-being and long life of their husband. After the moon has risen, it is first looked though a kitchen sieve to the husband’s face. Only after that, can the fast be broken!
