Not to be published/broadcast  Before 10th November,2008    

Lavi, the four day bonanza, at Rampur, 130 Km from Shimla on Hindustan-Tibet  road starts on November 11, 2008 and concludes on 14th Nov., every year. Lavi is the lone fair in Himachal Pradesh, which has a long traditional background. Unlike Dussehra at Kullu and Shivaratri at Mandi, there is no congregation of gods on the occasion.

The word Lavi, in fact, connotes sheering of wool. Loi, which stands for a woolen blanket, is also derived from the word ‘Lavi’. ‘Loia’ is yet another word which is used for a sort of loose long wear resembling much with dressing gown. ‘Loia’ is a popular wear with highlanders, especially in Sirmaur district. In olden days the Lavi used to draw a number of traders from Tibet across the Kinnaur borders and the fair offered a fairly big opportunity for a barter system of transaction. In a way it was an international trade fair on either side to do brisk business.

Raja Kehar Singh (1696-1753 A.D.) of Rampur Bushahr State was the first ruler who reorganized the entire show with proper state patronage and entered a historic treaty with the then Tibetan ruler thereby facilitating the traders of either side to market their produce in each other’s territory. The two rulers viewed the treaty as a beginning of an era of lasting friendship between the two states. The treaty laid down that the friendship was to last till the crows change their colour from black to white. The treaty, of course, paved a way for flourishing of trade and improving of economic lot of the mountain dwellers.

To give boost to trade of raw silk and Pushmina, a road was constructed around 1850 from Tibet border to Shimla and later this Hindustan Tibet Road became National highway 22.  The business men do brisk business of semi-furnished wood, woolen, patties, namdas and shawls, dry fruits like chilgoza, almonds, apricots, zeera (cumin seed), shilajeet, kuth (Saussurea lappa) etc.

The time of holding Lavi fair in November suits most of the farmers and animal breeders who are relatively free in early winter. The farmers have their produce in hand to dispose off. The sheep breeders have wool for sale. The carpenters, weavers, blacksmiths, potters, basket-markers and craftsmen find Lavi a ready market for their products. For mela enthusiasts and outside traders, the season is quite congential.

One attraction in Lavi fair is Chamurthi bree d of horse. Chamurthi horse is a sure footed animal and is useful in high mountaionous and snowy areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti and Ladakh.

The fair is also marked by an exhibition. A number of Government departments engaged in development and welfare activities participate in the show.