HP Guv inaugurates four-day Lavi trade fair

Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh today inaugurated the four-day, centuries-old international Lavi fair here.
Describing the fair as a unique example of the glorious, social, cultural, economic and historical legacy of the state, the Governor said this was one of the centuries-old trade and commercial fair in which traders from Tibet also participated.
The Governor said that woollens, dry fruits, traditional handicrafts and other local products on display in the market were unique and the fair provided a good opportunity for their promotion and sale, besides benefitting the traditional craftsmen and farmers.
The Lavi fair is held in Rampur, 132 kms from Shimla, from November 11 to November 14 every year.

The fair started three centuries ago following a trade treaty signed between Rampur and Tibet during the regime of Raja Kehar Singh, the ruler of Rampur.
It attracted traders from Samarkand, Afganistan, Tibet, Kinnaur, who reached Rampur through the old Silk Route.

After the Chinese aggression in 1962, traders from Tibet and other places have stopped coming here but it is still considered a major trading destination as large number of traders from different parts of the country converge here to sell their products.
In the earlier days, traders from Tibet and other places used to bring dry fruits, spices. Pashmina shawls weaved by the locals were a craze.

Lavi fair hosts number of shops to facilitate traders to be a part of the fair and the inauguration is marked with a festive spirit by churning water from River Sutlej.
However, the most interesting trade in the fair is the sale of 'Chaumukhi' horse from Spiti, which fetches Es 40,000 to Rs 45,000.
The fair also trades black cumin, woollen pattoos and various other local products.