📍 Location: Rampur Bushahr Town, Shimla District
📅 Season: Early to mid-November (dates vary annually)
A celebration born of barter and brotherhood, still echoing across Sutlej’s riverbanks
📜 A Fair Born of Treaty and Trust
The Lavi Fair dates back to the 17th century when Raja Kehri Singh of Bushahr signed a trade treaty with Tibet—granting safe passage and mutual commercial privileges. As a result, Rampur became a hub for traders from Kinnaur, Spiti, Ladakh, and Tibet, especially those journeying with wool, salt, and dry fruits.
🐫 The name “Lavi” derives from “Loe”—meaning sheep—signifying the importance of wool and livestock trade in the fair’s origins.
Held on the open grounds of Rampur near the Sutlej River, the fair remains one of Himachal’s largest trade gatherings:
- Wool & Pashmina Markets: Traders display yak wool, Tibetan shawls, carpets, and stoles
- Dry Fruit Exchanges: Apricots, walnuts, dried apples, and sea buckthorn from tribal belts sold in bulk
- Equestrian Trading: Traditionally, horses from Lahaul and Kinnaur were bartered—echoed today in symbolic stalls and displays
It’s a heritage bazaar where each item tells a story of terrain and tradition.
🎶 Cultural Resonance and Riverfront Revelry
Over four days, the fair unfolds as a cross-cultural carnival:
- Folk Performances: Himachali Nati, Tibetan Chhams, and Kinnauri dances grace open stages
- Musical Evenings: Bands and bhajan mandalis enliven nights along the riverbank
- Artisan Exhibitions: Wood carvings, tribal jewelry, traditional tools, and thangka paintings proudly showcased
🕊️ Elders narrate tales of Tibetan caravans camping by the river, sharing butter tea and barter with Bushahri villagers.
🍛 Food, Feasts, and Familiarity
Fair stalls offer a culinary tapestry:
🍲 Local Delights | 🫖 Beverages & Treats |
---|---|
Siddu, babru, chana madra | Butter tea, barley brews, fruit wines |
Seera, meethe chawal, kachori | Herbal tonics, milk sweets |
Villagers invite passersby to warm meals—hospitality remains the heart of trade.
✨ Why Lavi Still Matters
The Lavi Fair reflects:
- Himachal’s historic openness to cross-border commerce
- Tribal diplomacy expressed through goods, not words
- A living tapestry of heritage, barter, and celebration
It reminds us that even in high-altitude isolation, connections flourished—through trade, trust, and turmeric.
🧭 Plan Your Visit
- Best Time: First or second week of November
- How to Reach: Rampur lies ~130 km from Shimla; buses, shared taxis via NH-5
- Stay Options: Guesthouses near town square, HPTDC accommodations, or local homestays
- Travel Tip: Carry cash for market purchases and spend time conversing with elder traders—they’re oral historians of Himalayan exchange