3-day Suhi fair starting on April 11 in Chamba
Starting on April 11, the Chamba region will host a three-day Suhi fair. For three days, only women and kids are allowed to attend the fair. A magnificent procession is led from Pink Palace in Chamba to Suhi Mata Temple on the opening day of the festival. A procession is planned from Suhi Mata Temple to Maluna (Queen Sunayana’s memorial place) on the second day. The fair comes to an end on the third day with a procession to the temple location.
Folklore holds that in the sixth century, Queen Sunayana of Chamba made the decision to be buried alive in order to satisfy her followers’ hunger. There was reportedly a significant water issue when Chamba City was founded. The monarch of Chamba ordered water to be delivered by kuhal (a canal) from the Sarotha stream, which is located around two miles outside of the city, in order to resolve the problem.
The workmen did not succeed in getting water through the canal. The story goes that one night the king dreamed of a holy voice telling him that water would only flow through the canal if the king’s son or the queen were buried alive near the source of the stream. This dream caused the king much grief.
In the meanwhile, the monarch told Queen Sunayana the whole story of the dream when she inquired about his concerns. As a result, the queen made the decision to give her life in order to ensure the wellbeing of the populace, even in the face of resistance from the king and the people. It is reported that the queen gave the order to set up a trough, and that as she stepped into it to offer the ultimate sacrifice, tears flooded the whole valley.
Water flooded the canal as the trough was filled with dirt. This canal in Chamba town still has water flowing through it. Later, at the top of the hill overlooking the town where the canal runs, King Sahil Varman erected a monument. There is a stone idol dedicated to the queen’s remembrance. The inhabitants of Chamba continue to reverently adore this idol, particularly the ladies. A three-day fair is held annually to honor the queen’s sacrifice and in her memory.
