Holi in the Himalayas: Mythology, Traditions & the Unique Celebration of Sangla Valley

Holi, the festival of colours, holds an important place in Indian culture, with every region adding its own stories, rituals, and emotions to the celebration. Among all the unique versions of Holi observed across India, Sangla Valley’s Holi in Himachal Pradesh stands out as one of the most ancient, vibrant, and culturally significant.

Nestled deep within the Himalayas, Sangla (also known as Baspa or Tukpa Valley) lies in Kinnaur district, sharing boundaries with Shimla and Lahaul Spiti. Located at an elevation of 8,900 ft, the valley is known for its untouched landscapes, alpine charm, and centuries-old tribal traditions. Unlike the typical colour-play seen in plains, Sangla Holi mixes snow, masks, folk dramas, and ancestral customs, forming a rare and beautiful combination that has survived for nearly 800 years.

In this transformed version of Holi, villagers come together in large numbers, celebrating unity, spirituality, and the arrival of spring. Let’s dive deep into its rich heritage and vibrant rituals.

Sangla Holi Celebration – A Festival Like No Other

Sangla Holi is not just a festival; it is a living heritage. Known locally as Fagli or Faguli, it is believed to be one of the oldest traditional celebrations of the Western Himalayas. Blending Hindu beliefs, Buddhist influence, local folklore, and tribal rituals, Sangla Holi showcases the cultural soul of Kinnaur.

Here’s what makes the Sangla Holi Celebration truly special:

1. Festival of Masks & Mythology

• The celebration is famously known as the “Festival of Masks.”

• Villagers dress up in vibrant traditional masks and costumes, reenacting characters from:

• The Ramayana

• Local Kinnauri legends

• Nature spirits and ancestral deities

• These portrayals turn the entire valley into a cultural theatre.

2. Snow Holi – A Rare Experience

• Being a high-altitude region, Sangla often receives snowfall during Holi.

• Locals and travellers enjoy a unique snow-and-gulaal Holi, making it one of the few places in India where Holi is played amidst snow.

3. Community Celebrations at Nag Temple

• Before the festivities, villagers gather at the Nag (Serpent) Temple to offer prayers.

• This marks:

• The end of winter

• The beginning of spring

• Blessings for new agricultural cycles

• It reinforces unity and spiritual connection within the community.

4. Homes Decorated Like Diwali

• Unlike mainstream Holi, Sangla Holi also includes lighting diyas, lamps and colourful decorations, blending the spirit of Diwali with the joy of Holi, a tradition unique to this valley.

5. Music, Dance & Phagli Performance

• The festival is incomplete without the traditional Phagli Dance, performed by men and women.

• This dance celebrates harmony between:

• Humans

• Nature

• The valley’s spiritual protectors

• Traditional instruments like karnal, dhol, and shehnai fill the air with music.

6. Local Delicacies & Ritual Drinks

• Locals exchange regional snacks, traditional dishes, and homemade alcoholic brews, an important part of their festive rituals and hospitality.

  
  

Day-Wise Sangla Holi Rituals and Ceremonies

Day 1 – Preparation & “Totu” Prasad

• Villagers prepare Totu, a sacred dish of barley flour and buttermilk, offered at the Nag Temple. Elders lead ceremonies representing unity and gratitude.

  
  

Day 2 – Spiritual Gatherings

• People assemble at sacred sites throughout the valley to worship local deities.

• Village processions with traditional music mark this spiritual day.

  
  

Day 3 – The Grand Sangla Holi Celebration

• The most awaited day! Locals and tourists gather at Sangla Chowk, dressed in white, to celebrate with:

• Gulaal

• Snow play

• Traditional songs

• Phagli dance

• Mask performances

• This day reflects pure joy, culture, and togetherness.

  
  

Day 4 – Lights, Drama & Community Feast

• Diyas illuminate the valley, symbolising the victory of light over darkness.

• Dramatic reenactments of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana take place in the streets.

• The festival ends with a grand feast where families share local cuisine and wine.

  
  

Key Features of Sangla Holi (Quick Glance)

• Ancient rituals blending Hindu & Buddhist culture

• Colour play combined with fresh snow

• Phagli folk dance showcases harmony with nature

• Traditional masks & mythological characters

• Diyas and lights like Diwali

• Special prasad, feasts, and ritual drinks

• 800-year-old celebration preserved across generations

  
  

How to Reach Sangla Valley

By Air:

• Chandigarh Airport (350 km)

• Shimla Jubbarhatti Airport (194 km)

• Bhuntar Airport near Kullu

  
  

By Train:

• Kalka Railway Station (nearest major station)

• Chandigarh Railway Station (best connectivity)

  
  

By Road:

• HRTC buses from Delhi/Chandigarh to Shimla → Sangla

• Taxis are available from Shimla and Kalpa

  
  

Best Places to Visit in Sangla Valley

1. Chitkul

India’s last village before the Tibet border, known for breathtaking scenery, the 500-year-old Mathi Temple, and immaculate natural beauty.

2. Bering Nag Temple

A significant Shiva temple with stunning wooden architecture and the famous Fulaich Fair held between August–September.

3. Rakcham

A serene hamlet ideal for nature walks, apple orchards, and riverside camping.

4. Brelengi Gompa

A beautiful Buddhist monastery with a 10-meter Buddha statue, constructed for the Dalai Lama’s Kalachakra ceremony.

5. Kamru Fort

A historic Kathkuni-style fort from the Bushahr dynasty, housing the sacred Kamakhya Devi idol.

6. Baspa River

A peaceful riverside spot perfect for photography, meditation, and enjoying nature’s calmness.

7. Tibetan Wood Carving Centre

A place to explore and purchase handmade wooden crafts reflecting Kinnauri artistic traditions.

8. Sangla Meadows (Sangla Kanda)

A scenic meadow offering 180° views of Kinnaur Kailash, perfect for trekking and camping.

Places to visit during the Sangla Holi

• Key monastery: It is the largest monastery of the Spiti Valley Expedition and a religious training centre for lamas. Kye monastery has a collection of ancient murals and books, including Buddha images. The ground floor has a beautifully decorated Assembly Hall and cells for many monks. Key Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa sect located on top of a hill at an altitude of 4,166 meters above sea level, close to the Spiti River, in the Spiti Valley Expedition of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district, India.

• Pin Valley National Park: A National park of India located in the Spiti Valley Expedition in the Lahaul and Spiti district, in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is part of a cold desert. Pin Valley National Park is located in the desert natural element of the Sangla Holi. India's highest cold valley National Park, this place was built to preserve the unique natural flora and fauna of Himachal Pradesh and is named after the gorgeous Pin River, and acts as an interface between the Lahaul and Spiti Valley Expedition.

• Dhankar Monastery: Dhankar Gompa, also Dhangkhar, Dhankhar, or Dhangkar Gompa, is a village and also a Gompa, a Buddhist temple in the district of Lahaul and Spiti valley Expedition in India. Spiti Valley Expedition above Dhankar Village,  located between the towns of Kaza and Tabo.

• Tabo Monastery: Tabo Monastery is located in the Tabo village of the Spiti Valley Expedition. Tabo Monastery is noted for being the oldest continuously operating Buddhist monastery in both India and the Himalayas. The Tabo Monastery has been built like a fort with strong walls. Daily worship starts in this temple with chantings at 6 A, M and it is performed by the lamas who live in the new temple complex. Many festivals are held in the area of the Tabo Monastery. It would be the best place to visit in the Spiti Valley Expedition.

• Dhankar Lake: Dhankar Lake is located in the Spiti. This lake is a beautiful, blissful and breathtaking retreat. The sparkling blue water reflects the bright sun. What else can you ask for if you visit here, you won't forget your experiences for life long. This region is blessed by nature.

• Kibber: Kibber is also known as Kibber Khas and Khyipur. This is a village high in the Spiti Valley Expedition in the Himalayas. It contains a monastery and is a base for visiting the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Kibber is the last village in the Spiti valley on the traditional trade route through Ladakh and Tibet. The Traders would come from Tibet, Ladakh, Chamba, and Kullu to barter their wares for the commodities. The Farmers of Kibber can grow crops during the summer because it is the best season for them to grow their agricultural sector in Kibber:

• City Shopping: The market area in the town of Kaza is the best place to shop in the entire valley. The shops sell typical Tibetan and Buddhist handicrafts, which include prayer flags, bowls, and wheels, as well as Buddha statues. A couple of shops also sell Spiti t-shirts, which make ideal souvenirs. Spiti valley expedition, items like Tibetan artefacts, woollens, clothing, woodwork, paintings, jewellery, and food items will take precedence, but these are only the tip of the iceberg.  Prepare to be astonished at the sheer range of items you can shop for in the Spiti Valley expedition.

• Gue: Gue is a village in the Lahul & Spiti Valley expedition district of the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. In this little village lies the perfectly well-preserved 500-year-old mummy of Sangha Tenzing. It was a Buddhist monk from Tibet. It was found in a sitting position, with its skin and hair intact. The village is about 40 km from the Tabo Monastery. Latitude 31.11 and longitude 77.16 are the geocoordinates of the Gue. Current Gue is controlled by India but claimed by Zanda County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, China. High in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul & Spiti Valley expedition district lies a surprising secret. A 500-year-old mummy with its teeth intact. Located in the village of Gue, it is said to be the mummy of a Buddhist monk named Sangha Tenzin and is one of the most astonishing things you will ever see.

• Tibetan Shops: There are a number of Tibetan shops here, where one can shop for gems and jewellery, local ornaments, semi-precious stones, as well as ceramic utensils. Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is famed for its stark, barren landscapes, exquisite natural beauty, and iconic cultural heritage. Travellers from all over the world flock to the Spiti valley expedition to bask in the glorious natural wonders, indulge in delicious cuisine, and partake in glorious adventure sports. It is natural to bring back some souvenirs from such a place so that you can fondly remember your trip. Friends and family, too, will expect gifts, or you can expect to return to a warzone! Fortunately for you, the Spiti Valley expedition and, in fact, the whole of Himachal Pradesh is renowned for its splendid handicrafts industry. When you think about shopping in Spiti Valley, expedition items like Tibetan artefacts, woollens, clothing, woodwork, paintings, jewellery, and food items will take precedence, but these are only the tip of the iceberg. These are the foremost items for shopping in the Spiti Valley expedition. The region’s proximity to Tibet has resulted in centuries of rich cultural transfers, and this influence is pretty obvious today. Buddhism is the predominant religion here, although Hinduism also retains its ancient roots. Here are the Tibetan handicrafts you can obtain in the Spiti Valley expedition.

Activities To Do during Sangla Holi

• Camping: You can plan a camping trip to the Spiti Valley Expedition or the Kinnaur Valley. There are many places in the entire Spiti Valley Expedition and Kinnaur Valley where you can pitch your camps and save some money.

• Stay at a Homestay: Homestays offer all types of travellers an alternative and affordable place to stay. We have homestays all around the world. If you’re looking for a reason to try a homestay yourself, we don’t have one for you; we have ten. When you stay in a homestay, you experience something that you won’t in other forms of accommodation. Not only do you meet the local people…you get to live with them too. It’s a way to live in a destination, not just visit it. Moving to a new destination is both daunting and exciting. On arrival, you’re in unfamiliar surroundings, and it takes time to get used to the place. Stay in a homestay and straight away you’ll have met some local people, in their homes, who will quickly help you to feel more comfortable, secure, and generally at ease in your new destination.

• Trek to Dhankar Lake: Dhankar Lake is located in the Spiti Valley expedition, in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. This lake is a blissful and breathtaking retreat. If you want to rejuvenate your soul and mind, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, this is the place to be. It is a place where you can sit for hours and just soak in the natural beauty. The cold wind gives you goosebumps, and the sparkling blue water reflects the bright sun. What else can you ask for? However, since Shiva was busy with his quest, Lord Indra threw his axe here, and a spring popped up, leading to the formation of the lake. The festival of Mouni Amavasya celebrates the same myth.

• Star Gazing: Mammoth mountains guarding rugged terrains, the turquoise-grey ribbon of the River Spiti Valley expedition, white-washed monasteries that hark back to Tibetan mores, and little villages scattered throughout the serrated valley make the stargazing in Spiti Valley expedition all the more enchanting, especially from up top and with your significant other around. Other than the Komic village, Kibber, Tabo, Dhankar, and Losar are ideal locations, where one can truly witness the ineffable vastness of the cosmos that we share with the stars. Rediscover yourself and the love you both share as you gaze at the star-lit sky for hours.

• Fossil Hunting: Fossil Hunting is one activity unique to the Spiti Valley expedition, which is still not too popular. However, it is a very exciting activity, especially if you are a history or archaeology enthusiast. There is a strong possibility that you will find one because the region around Langza and Hikkim is studded with fossils.

• Yak Safari: Trekking and safari are among the things to do in the Spiti Valley expedition. Yaks are abundantly found in the valley, as rearing yaks is a means of sustenance for the villagers. Many tourists find kicks in a yak safari across the rough terrains of such a beautiful landscape as the Spiti Valley expedition.

• Visit the world`s highest post office: The post office in village Hikkim in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti valley Expedition is at a height of 14,567 feet above sea level. This is said to be a post office located at the highest point in the world. The letterbox-shaped post office aims to draw more tourists, officials said.