This festival resembles the festival of Shivratri celebrated in other parts of India -- though not in the same period of the year -- and is an evidence of the Hindu influence in the Pattan Valley.

The deity Naga and the goddess Hidimba are also worshipped on this occasion.

Gochi or Gotsi
An important festival of the Chandra and Bhaga valleys, Gochi is celebrated in February in homes where a son was born during the preceding year. On this day, all villagers gather and are served chhang -- the local beer.

A dough of sattu is kept in a big wooden vessel, lifted by four men and taken to the seat of the local god or deity. This procession is accompanied by the mother who has given birth to the male child, two men carrying incense sticks, and young girls dressed in their best attire. After the religious ceremonies are over, the dough is broken to appease the gods.

In some villages these ceremonies are accompanied by the beating of drums and trumpets. Dancing and singing goes on all through the night.