India is a land of vast diversity, where each state and city proudly displays its unique traditions and customs. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, the country is home to many cultural backgrounds, some of which do not even include the national language, Hindi.
Amidst the traditions found across the nation, one from a remote village in Himachal Pradesh stands out for its unusual nature.
In the village of Pini, nestled in the Kullu district, there is an ancient tradition where women abstain from wearing clothes for five days during a festival in the final days of the month of Sawan.
During this period, women remain indoors, avoid contact with their husbands, and refrain from laughing or speaking much. Meanwhile, the men follow strict rules, abstaining from alcohol and meat.
The villagers believe that this tradition, upheld for centuries, is essential to ward off evil. According to local legend, centuries ago, Pini was attacked by ‘Rakshas’—mythical demons—who caused great harm to the women.
The god ‘Lahu Ghond’ is said to have appeared and saved the village by defeating these demons on the first day of Bhadrapad. Since then, the festival has been observed annually, with the belief that wearing clothes during this time might invite another demonic attack.
Over time, the rigidity of this tradition has eased, with some women opting to wear thin clothing or sleep during the five days.
However, the core belief endures, and many villagers continue to observe the festival. Outsiders are not allowed to enter Pini during this period, preserving the sanctity and privacy of the tradition.
This unique practice, while surprising to many, is deeply rooted in the village’s history and reflects the rich tapestry of customs that make up India’s diverse cultural landscape.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
