Snow continues to play a major part in February's festivals and Himachal's Winter Carnival is also held this month.
Gochi in the Bhaga Valley is an unusual festival when the villages celebrate the birth of male children. Token marriages of children below the age of six are also performed - and a lighter side comes with the snow balling every child participates in.
The Baba Barbahag Singh Mela is held in Una and honours this sage who was renowed for his 'magical powers.'
Basant Panchmi marks the arrival of spring in the lower areas and every town seems to keep a reserve of colour for the occasion and the skies are filled with medley of kites.
Rituals, dances and an unbelievably rich imagery mark Lossar. This is celebrated in Buddhist areas throughout the state, while Lahaul's monasteries have some of the most spectacular performances. On its eve, the stylised 'chhaam' dance and elaborate costumes and masks, commemorate the assassination of the cruel Tibetan king, Langdarma in the 9th century. Often though wrongly- called 'the devil dance', it symbolises the triumph of good overevil.
