In honour of ancestors, Pangi valley comes alive with grand Padid fest

The remote and culturally rich Pangi valley in Himachal Pradesh celebrated the traditional Padid festival on Thursday, a deeply revered occasion dedicated to honouring ancestors. Observed on the first lunar day following Amavasya, Padid has been an integral part of the region’s heritage for centuries, bringing families together in a spirit of devotion and gratitude.

The festival begins with an offering to the Sun God, followed by younger family members seeking blessings from their elders by touching their feet. A key tradition involves the exchange of Jevra flowers, which hold deep symbolic significance. These flowers are prepared 15 days in advance during a ritual known as Khahul, where wheat or maize grains are mixed with soil and livestock manure. The sprouting of delicate buds within 10 to 12 days is believed to foretell the prosperity of the upcoming harvest.

Jukaru festival sets the stage for Padid

The night before Padid, the valley comes alive with the Jukaru festival, also called Sill, a grand celebration dedicated to Rajawali Devta. As dawn breaks, the head of the household offers prayers, seeking protection from evil forces and invoking peace and prosperity for the family. Offerings are made to ancestors and the Sun God and livestock are fed as part of the rituals, integrating all aspects of life into the spiritual observance.

The festival fosters an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness, with families embracing and sharing blessings. Traditional delicacies like ghee mande are prepared and enjoyed. A special custom sees villagers honouring the eldest members of their community by visiting their homes, presenting Jevra flowers, and seeking their blessings. The head of the household also prepares festive meals, including meat and local liquor, reinforcing long-standing cultural traditions.

“Padid is deeply rooted in ancestral reverence. Offering food and prayers on this day is believed to bring spiritual merit equivalent to performing a Shraddha ceremony,” said local resident Prem Singh. Many believe that these offerings ensure the goodwill and protection of their forefathers for the family’s well-being.

Historic celebrations in Killar’s Shiva Temple

In Killar, the administrative centre of Pangi, celebrations begin as early as 2 am, with devotees from Mahaliyat village gathering at the ancient Shiva Temple to make Jukaru offerings, seeking the blessings of Lord Shiva and Nag Devta. According to local traditions, people from Dharwas and Kirayuni villages also participated in these rituals in the past, but a historic heavy snowfall once prevented them from reaching Killar, leading to the custom being upheld solely by Killar residents ever since.

Beyond its religious significance, Padid also marks an agricultural celebration, symbolising fertility and abundance. Offerings of wheat, barley and maize highlight the deep-rooted connection between spiritual beliefs and farming traditions in Pangi valley.

“Padid is not just a festival of faith but also a celebration of community unity and cultural heritage,” said Ashok Kumar, a resident of Pangi. “It reflects our traditions, respect for ancestors and the importance of nature in our lives.”

With its unique blend of spiritual devotion, agricultural symbolism and communal harmony, Padid remains one of the most vibrant and cherished traditions of the Pangi valley, keeping alive the rich cultural and spiritual legacy of the region.