Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana Concludes State-Level Ladarcha Fair in Kaza.
Shimla:
Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti, Kiran Bhadana, formally brought the three-day State-Level Ladarcha Fair to a close in Kaza of tribal district Lahaul and Spiti today, marking the conclusion of one of the region’s most significant cultural and traditional events. The closing ceremony was attended by local residents, members of the Ladarcha Fair Committee, government officials, artists, participants and tourists.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana highlighted the important role played by fairs and festivals in preserving and promoting the ancient culture, traditions, customs and heritage of the region. She said that safeguarding age-old traditions and passing them on to future generations is a collective responsibility.
She said Himachal Pradesh is widely known for its rich cultural heritage, and the fairs and festivals celebrated across the state are an important reflection of this diversity and cultural richness. The Ladarcha Fair, she added, holds a special place among the traditional events of Spiti and provides a unique platform for people to celebrate and showcase their cultural heritage.
Congratulating the Ladarcha Fair Committee and local residents for the successful organisation of the event, Bhadana said the fair attracts not only people from Spiti but also visitors from across Lahaul-Spiti, other districts of Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring states. Tourists visiting the remote Spiti Valley also take keen interest in the festivities, making the event an important cultural and tourism attraction for the region.
During the closing ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner honoured members of the Ladarcha Fair Committee and officers from various departments by presenting them with mementoes in recognition of their contribution towards the successful conduct of the fair.
She also distributed prizes to the winners and runners-up of various sports competitions organised as part of the three-day event. The competitions witnessed enthusiastic participation, providing local youth and teams an opportunity to display their sporting talent and competitive spirit.
A raffle draw organised by the Red Cross Society was another major attraction of the closing programme. Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shikha Simtia and children jointly conducted the draw in the presence of ticket buyers and members of the public. Prizes were subsequently presented to the lucky winners.
Earlier, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Spiti, and Chairperson of the Ladarcha Fair Committee, Shikha Simtia, welcomed the chief guest. She honoured Deputy Commissioner Kiran Bhadana with a traditional shawl and cap, along with a memento and a thangka painting. She expressed gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner for presiding over the concluding ceremony and briefed the gathering about the various activities organised during the fair.
The final cultural evening added colour and vibrancy to the celebrations. Local artists and women’s groups from Spiti captivated the audience with traditional dances performed in their customary attire, offering a glimpse into the region’s distinctive cultural traditions.
Well-known folk artists from Himachal Pradesh and other states also entertained the audience with performances featuring Pahari, Hindi, Bollywood and Himachali songs. Their energetic performances received an enthusiastic response from the crowd and brought the three-day celebrations to a memorable conclusion.
The successful conclusion of the State-Level Ladarcha Fair once again highlighted Spiti’s rich cultural heritage while providing a common platform for the community, artists, sportspersons, officials and visitors to come together and celebrate the region’s traditions and cultural identity.
