Traditional Thoda Game Draws Thousands at Shaya’s Bishu Celebration

The Bishu Fair, held over the past three days at Shaya Chhabroon—the birthplace of Shri Shirgul Devta—concluded on Wednesday. Thousands of locals enjoyed the traditional Thoda game, a highlight of the event. Two teams participated in the Thoda competition: the Shathad team from the Chhamaral gotra of Shalech village, and the Panshad gotra team from Narkanda.

Sherjang Chauhan, media in-charge of the Shirgul Mandir Samiti and a renowned state litterateur, shared that the Bishu Fair has been celebrated for generations to honor Shri Shirgul Devta and to promote the prosperity and well-being of the region. The fair is held every three years. In one year, a procession of Shri Shirgul Devta travels to Churdhar, where the deity visits his ashram and bathes. The following year, the Bishu Fair is hosted in Shaya.

Chauhan explained that preparations begin about three days before the fair, with the ceremonial bringing of the Nagada (traditional drum) from the Shirgul temple to the fairground at Jubdi, accompanied by traditional musical instruments. A total of five Nagadas are brought to the temple at Jubdi, of which three remain there during the fair and are returned afterward.

The Thoda game, rooted in the Mahabharata era, symbolizes archery and is especially popular in Sirmour and Shimla districts during Bishu and other festivals. In this game, two players shoot arrows at each other, with any shot above the knee considered a foul. Participants wear a special pajama called “Salara” and leather boots. The game requires significant strength to string the bow and shoot arrows, a skill reserved for trained players. While the game once led to heated rivalries and even fights, it is now played with enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

Chauhan also noted that Bishu fairs are widely celebrated across the Giripar region of Sirmaur district in the name of Shri Shirgul Devta or Bijat Devta. These fairs are considered incomplete without the Thoda game. In many villages, the festivities also include cultural programs and other sports for public entertainment.

The successful organization of the fair was made possible with the support of committee head Thugda Nivesh Thakur, Bhag Singh, Deva Prithviraj, former Devkarya chief Ranveer Chauhan, and former Shijasvi Committee president Amar Singh Thakur.