Hidden deep in the scenic folds of Himachal Pradesh, the small village of Rakchham comes alive every June with the celebration of the Marza Festival — a unique and deeply spiritual tradition that connects the community to its deities, ancestors, and natural surroundings.
🌿 The Legend Behind the Festival
The Marza Festival centers around Shri Shamsher Devta Ji, a revered deity in the region. It is believed that when the deity first arrived in Rakchham, Chitkul Devi Ji and Rakchham Sauni Ji welcomed him with flowers from a sacred place called Kande Namak.
Another belief holds that Shri Shamsher Devta Ji continues to offer these sacred flowers every year to Chitkul Mata Devi Ji, symbolizing eternal divine respect and unity between the villages of Rakchham and Chitkul.
🚶♂️ The Sacred Flower Journey Begins
The ritual begins one night before the main festival, when four people from Rakchham and two from Chitkul are chosen to collect the sacred flowers. They are joined by other young men and women from the village, setting out together toward Bardha Namak, where they spend the night.
This journey isn’t just a physical trek — it’s a spiritual experience passed down through generations.
🌄 4 AM Pilgrimage to Kande
At the break of dawn — around 4 AM — the group sets off to Kande, a sacred high-altitude meadow, to collect the flowers. Upon reaching the site, a puja (prayer ceremony) is performed, and prayers are offered for the peace of departed souls, honoring their ancestors before the flowers are gently picked.
🌼 From Flowers to Garlands
After the sacred flowers are collected, the group returns to Bada Chanchoor, where the women of the village craft beautiful garlands. Music and singing accompany the preparations, adding joy and energy to the spiritual task.
💧 The Ritual Water Fight
Next, a playful yet symbolic water fight takes place at the riverbank between the flower collectors and the young women of the village. The competition includes three rounds, and the team that wins two rounds is declared the victor.
The ritual holds deep meaning — it is believed that the water fight washes away any impurity or mistakes made during the flower collection, ensuring the offering is accepted in its purest form.
🪷 Offering the Flowers to the Deities
Once the water fight concludes, the collected flowers are placed beneath a large sacred rock for safekeeping, while the boys head off for a meal and rest.
Meanwhile, at the village temple, the palkis (palanquins) of Shri Shamsher Devta Ji, Bhagwati Devi Ji, and Nag Devta Sahib are ceremoniously brought out. In a moment of great reverence, the flower collectors return and offer the garlands to the deities.
After this sacred offering, flowers are distributed to the entire village, symbolizing blessings, unity, and divine grace.
🎉 Devta Mela and Village Prayers
The celebration continues with a vibrant fair (mela) held in the temple premises alongside the presence of the deities. Villagers gather together, dressed in traditional attire, singing, dancing, and celebrating the divine.
Everyone prays to Shri Shamsher Devta Ji for a prosperous and harmonious year ahead, asking for blessings upon their crops, livestock, families, and village peace.
✨ A Living Tradition of Spirit and Unity
The Marza Festival is more than just a ritual; it’s a living tradition that brings together mythology, spirituality, nature, and human connection. It reflects the unique heritage of Rakchham and Chitkul, celebrating not just the divine but also the beauty of collective devotion and local culture.
If you ever dream of witnessing a celebration that touches the soul and stirs the heart, plan your journey to Rakchham in June — and experience the timeless magic of Marza
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