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An important Himachal festival is Halda, which celebrates the New Year. There is a special ceremony wherein people worship the goddess of wealth Shashikar Apa and at night, there are bonfires, dances, music and a grand feast. A ritual that is followed here since the ages is that every household has to bring cedar twigs which are lit and when everyone assembles at the common location, the lit twigs are tossed into a bonfire. The bonfire symbolises harmony among people. Although the date for celebrating Halda is not fixed, it is usually held in December or January in Lahaul district. The date and place of the festival is decided by the Lama.
