Himachal: Ancient Fair Anokhi Dali to be held on Dec 4 & 5

Shimla, Dec 1 (UNI) Ancient Fair Anokhi Dali to be held on December 4  and 5, with great fervor and gaiety at Halti near Airport Jubbarhatti, by cultural groups of Himachal Pradesh.

The fair is associated with a  tree grown by King Hrinyakshyap, father of Prahlad, who was a  devotee of Vishnu Bhagwan, despite his father’s warnings, as our ancient epics reveal. It was an  old tree ‘Anokhi Dali’ in Halti village long back at the place where the airport exists today. The tree was the abode for Narsingh avatar or the fourth Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu. In this avatar, Lord Vishnu had appeared in the form of half lion and half man and killed Hiranyakashyap, father of Prahlaad. There was a pujari, who used to propitiate the idol of Narsingh there, under the tree over 116 years ago, as the folktales narrate. One day, a thunderstorm struck the area and the tree fell down at noon.

Organizers of the fair Mr Om Prakesh Sharma and his friends,  add attractive, sports events and competitions like Kabaddi and Taur-Kaman. Agricultural and flower exhibitions are also being specially organized.
He said that artists of Lok Sampark department singing and drama troupes would also entertain the people with their melodious music and dance.
Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur is likely to grace the occasion as he would be chief guest on Dec 5
In order to encourage the talented participants, the Mela Committee has kept the following attractive prizes for the participants in the games and exhibition.
This fair is celebrated in mark of respect to Hindu God Narsingh Dev (Man-Lion) who saved his  Devotee Prahlad from the wrath of his father Hirnayakashyap. The fair is known after a rare tree Species Anokhi Dali which is precious, its  branches are  used for the making sticks and handle of agriculture appliance for its rare strength.  The fair was shifted from the its old ground after acquisition of this land for Jubberhati Airport (also known), now famous as Shimla Airport.