Manali (Himachal Pradesh), January 13:
An unusual tradition is set to begin in several villages of the Manali region in Himachal Pradesh from this Makar Sankranti, where villagers will follow strict religious rules for 42 days. During this period, villagers will completely refrain from using TV, DJ, mobile phones, and other entertainment devices. This practice will be observed in villages where people are ready to alter their daily routines in adherence to religious customs.
On Makar Sankranti, the Kartik Swami Temple in Simsa village will be closed, and similarly, the temples of Kanchan Nag, Vyas Rishi, and Gautam Rishi in Gaushal village will also be closed after the rituals. For the next 42 days, people in these villages will live without any noise or modern entertainment.
This practice will be followed in Gaushal village and nine nearby villages, where TV, radio, DJ, and any form of noise-making will be prohibited. During this period, villagers will be completely distanced from all entertainment sources. Moreover, agricultural work and the removal of cow dung from the cow shelters will also be restricted.
This tradition is based on the belief that from January 14, the village’s presiding deity will enter a state of meditation. On Makar Sankranti, a special clay paste will be applied to the deity’s idol, and after the ritual, the temple doors will be closed. During this time, the deity requires peace and rest to focus on their meditation.
Mobile phones will also remain on silent mode during this period, and any noise-making will be prohibited. This tradition will be observed in nine villages, including Gaushal, Kothi, Solang, Palchan, Ruad, Kulang, Shanag, Burua, and Majach. Hari Singh, the deity’s caretaker, confirmed that mobile phones will be on silent, and no noise will be allowed during this period.
Similarly, the Kartik Swami Temple in Simsa village will be closed on Makar Sankranti, and from January 14 to February 12, there will be a ban on any kind of noise, music, DJ, or digging work in the surrounding villages of Simsa, Kanyal, Chhiyal, Madhi, and Rangdi.
On February 12, during the Fagli Festival, the temple doors will open, and the deity will make predictions. On this day, once the temple doors are opened, the deity will foretell the events of the coming year.
Religious Beliefs and Local Significance
This tradition holds great religious and cultural significance for the villagers. It is believed that the deity needs peace and rest in order to focus on their spiritual journey. During this time, villagers adjust their lives according to the deity’s commands, maintaining peace in the community.
For the villagers, these 42 days are a time of strict discipline when they live according to religious principles.
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