Peukar village celebrates birth of girls during utsav

Himachal Pradesh Social Aspects of state

07-Feb-21

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Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Rai attended the Gochi ‘utsav’ at Peukar village as part of a series of events being organised during the snow festival in Lahaul.
The ‘utsav’ is generally held in the Gahar valley to celebrate the birth of boys but in Peukar village, it is held to rejoice the birth of girls.
It gave a very strong message on the model of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ for the whole country.
The government had introduced several schemes for daughters but this village is a role model in itself for the entire country as it stands up to convey the message of gender equality.
The ‘utsav’ began with the worship of local village deity Tangzar Mahadev and only a few people offered prayers at the holy spot amidst the snow above the village. Then people went to Gochi Grih (the house where Gochi was organised) and danced to the tunes of folk instruments. The local people served traditional dishes on the occasion.
Locals said these stones and earthen pots were used to make traditional dishes like ‘marchu’. An exhibition of these ancient heritage items would also be organised on the conclusion of the snow festival.
From next year, arrangements would be made to run 4X4 vehicles to connect all valleys of Lahaul so that tourists could witness and participate in the festivities. DC encouraged people to start hospitality units for tourists through the ‘Home Stay’ scheme. He said tourism potential of the valley would be harnessed in a planned manner.