KALA MAHINA " The Halloween month of Himachal Pradesh"

Hello guys.... Happy monsoons.. so in Himachal Pradesh we are celebrating 'Kala Mahina' i.e. actually like Halloween festival of Himachal Pradesh. It is usually celebrated every year during the rainy season, after the end of the month of Saavan, when the month of Bhadrapad begins i.e. August to September. These are thirty to forty days of black nights. There is complete darkness and mostly dominance of green grass is seen with no signs of crops. We Himachali's don't assume this month as auspicious.

As our state is very rich in cultures,  traditions and folklores so there are many unique stories and legends related to celebration of this month. 

Now I will explain you various folklores and customs related to Kala mahina

1. According to the customs, before starting of this month newly married brides return to their parents' home and reside there for two months. People believe that in this month, the newly married daughter-in-law and mother-in-law should not see each other face. Doing so can harm both mother-in-law or daughter-in-law. 

2. Gods and Goddesses leave the earth for heavenly sojourn, temple doors closed and no auspicious occasion is celebrated till devtas return back.

3. It is also said that the influence of evil powers increases these days. It is said that the tantriks and witches who practice tantra kriyas worship their evil powers these days because demonic powers are believed to be at their peak. 

4. According to local folklore that during this month, there is a fierce war between evil powers, witches and the gods and goddesses which is called Haar Paasa, Dagyali or Dagali in the regional language. During these days, people stay in their homes and do not leave the house at night. 

5. This folklore is told to me by my father and his ancestors. According to them during this month, witches pick up everything or anything they get from brooms to utensils and fly high in the sky to fight with god's and goddesses in open spaces called as Dhaar's. This battle is actually a series of battles which take place at different mountain tops or dhaar's and in the end the result is announced. If the witches win then there will be lots of rains along with greenery every where but if devta win then there will be drought. ( I was also sceptical when I heard this but folklore is folklore!!) 

According to them, this fight occurs in seven phases. The one who wins the maximum phases is usually declared as winner. 

If Devta's win then monsoons will end and winters will begin, there will be happiness and prosperity, people will be more protected from affects of various diseases. Death rate become very less and life of people gets really smooth, but intensity of rainfall increases and crops get more destroyed.

If witches win then intensity of rains is less but monsoons last longer and crops production increases but it has negative effect on human lives as they are not safe from diseases and spread of deadly infections is more. Whole year something bad keeps on happening in form of natural calamities, diseases or accidents and lots and lots of losses happens. 

6. Mostly in Kangra,  people lights lamps outside gates of their homes as tradition to illuminate the black nights for the salvation of ancestors. It is beleived that this time our ancestors roam freely on earth so to show them path in dark nights lamps are always lightened outside our homes during complete month.

7. Gaddi community not only lights lamps but also burns patches of sage leaves in their homes throughout the month. 

8.Marriages and other auspicious ceremonies are prohibited during month.

9. Only Lord Shiva (भोलेनाथ) is worshipped at this time. There are many such customs, practices, and pilgrimages that have a direct connection with Lord Bhole Nath or his devotees. 

These traditions are quite old and local elderly when asked the reason for celebrating such customs they mostly told that in ancient times, when people were not so resourceful, there was a scarcity of food during these difficult rainy days and even labor work was hard to find. In such times, it was convenient for the newlyweds to not face the difficulties of their in-laws' home in the first year of marriage, so they were sent to their parents' home. This custom became a tradition that continues even today.

Regarding folklore of devta and demons fight, weather predictions are based on who win the maximum fights. But as you all know that recently weather is already strange and devastating due  to real demon named global warming which is winning every battle. Still I believe in all these and respect our culture..If you don't want to believe these folklore's wholeheartedly, just appreciate the way these old cultures are being still preserved.

It is said that after Kala mahina good time will come and nights will become more illuminating due to celebration of different festivals such as Sair festival, Shraddh, Sharad Navratri, Dussehra, karwa chauth  and then Diwali.

I myself being newly married bride haven't gone to my sasural for the whole month,  even when I wanted to pluck apples from orchards during this apple picking season because I told you I love to follow customs and traditions of our beautiful state....I know season of apple will come again next year but celebration of Kala mahina as newly bride will never come again. 

I hope you must have loved this blog...

I had written all this in context to Kangra and surrounding areas...I know you all most know something more about these festivals from your respective areas and I would love to know more about them..

Feel free to comment down your thoughts and queries...

Till then 

Happy Kala mahina or halloween of Himachal Pradesh 

Yours friendly Vet

Dreamingvet 

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