Sairi Festival is celebrated on the first day of the month of Ashwin. It is a winter fair and a time for harvesting maize. This festival is celebrated in honor of the nomadic goddess of
Bharmaur before she migrates downwards into the valleys of
Chamba, Bhatiyat,
Kangra and Mandi for the winters.
The people treat it as a festival of farewells. In the night, the people enjoy dancing and singing after getting drunk. Sweet Bhaterus and Pakodus are the main foods cooked during this time. The young women put henna on their palms and soles of their feet.
The village barber arranges a basket with a large yellow lemon decorated with
kumkum and rice along with coconut and flowers. He carries it from door to door. The villagers wait for the arrival of the basket and welcome the basket and the barber, and place flowers, sweets and money in the basket as offerings.
