Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh : 42-day silence begins in Kullu villages to honour Gautam Rishi
An age-old tradition of near-complete silence will be observed for 42 days in nine villages of the Ujhi valley in Kullu district from Makar Sankranti on January 14, as devotees pay reverence to their local deity, Gautam Rishi.
An age-old tradition of near-complete silence will be observed for 42 days in nine villages of the Ujhi valley in Kullu district from Makar Sankranti on January 14, as devotees pay reverence to their local deity, Gautam Rishi.
The centuries-old ritual is based on the belief that Gautam Rishi departs from Goshal village on Makar Sankranti to attend a celestial assembly of gods and goddesses and returns after 42 days. During this period, residents strictly follow customs meant to maintain silence and spiritual discipline, fearing that any disturbance could anger the deity and invite misfortune.
The villages observing the tradition are Goshal, Solang, Shanag, Kothi, Palchan, Ruar, Kulang, Majhach and Burua.
According to local belief, Gautam Rishi’s journey to heaven marks a sensitive phase for the region, during which people refrain from creating noise and significantly alter their daily routines. Ved Ram Thakur, a resident of Goshal, said mobile phones are kept on silent mode, televisions remain switched off and music is avoided altogether.
“Agricultural activities are suspended. Tools such as spades for digging fields and scissors used for pruning apple orchards are not touched, and even routine household work is kept to a bare minimum,” he said.
The temple of Gautam Rishi at Goshal remains closed throughout the observance, with its floor covered in mud. Devotees believe that symbols appearing on the mud when the temple reopens offer divine संकेत (omens) for the year ahead.
Mehar Chand Thakur, another local resident, said a flower symbol is interpreted as a sign of happiness and prosperity, grain signifies a good harvest, while charcoal is viewed as a warning of possible fire-related incidents in the village.
Normal life resumes only after the deity’s return and the reopening of the temple, reaffirming the deep-rooted faith and cultural continuity that still shape life in the Himalayan villages of Kullu.
