and engage themselves in various agricultural activities. Chained up by their own Vedic values & beliefs and traditions & customs the natives of Mcleodganj have particularly kept themselves aloof from the modern trends and western culture. The ethnic population of Mcleodganj comprises of Gaddis, Gujjars, Pangawals, Lahaulis and Kinnars and their life revolves around the valleys and the mountains of the Himachal Pradesh. A tribal tour of Mcleodganj will offer you an exceptional opportunity to observe their actual life from close quarters. The major tongues spoken at Mcleodganj are; Pahari, Tibetan, Hindi and English. The most important festivals celebrated here include Losar, Lohri or Maghi, Halda, Buddha Purnima, Drukpa Tesh, Butoh Dance Festival, Himachal Winter Carnival, International Himalayan Festival, and so on.
Losar, celebrated for three consequent days in the month of February or March is the Tibetan New Year when a beverage similar to beer which is known here as ‘changkol’ is prepared and the ancient ‘Vajrakilaya’ tradition is practiced.
Lohri, also known as the Maghi Festival and celebrated in mid-January is the agricultural festival of this region observed for attaining the fertility of land and the abundance of crop. Folk songs and folk dances are performed at the time of Lohri Festival. Watching the ethnic tribes of Mcleodganj dancing to the tunes of their folk songs wearing their traditional costumes is truly an impressive spectacle.
Halda festival that is celebrated for two days commemorates the arrival of the Tibetan New Year. At the time of the Halda Festival family gatherings are organized and traditional cedar wood bonfire is lit. This bonfire symbolizes the communal unity. Halda is a fiesta of dancing, drinking and merrymaking with family and friends.
Buddha Purnima is the biggest and the most important religious festival of Mcleodganj that is celebrated in the month of March or April with
