Mahasu (region)
Mahasu also known as Mahasudesh or Mahadesh, is a term used to refer to the historical and cultural homeland of the Mahasui people primarily covering the upper part of the Northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, western parts of the state of Uttarakhand and hilly parts of the state of Haryana. In Himachal Pradesh it covers the districts of Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Kullu, upper parts of Mandi, some south-western parts of Kinnaur and Bara Bhangal area of Kangra, in Uttarakhand it covers Jaunsar-Bawar of Dehradun district and Bangan, Parvat, Rawain, etc. parts of Uttarkashi district and in Haryana it covers Kalka, Pinjore and Morni hills of Panchkula district and Kalesar of Yamunanagar district.
Etymology
Mahasu region got its name from [Mahasu Devata|Devta Temple|Mahasu Devta] '. As the cultural region as well as the language of half of the region ' have got its name from Mahasu Devta, but in whole of the region, many other sub-groups also worship other deities and their own family deities apart from Mahasu Devta. As many sources said that Mahasu Devta had born in different places of the region like in Hanol in Jaunsar, another legend says Mahasu Peak in Kufri in Shimla, one legend says in Sirmaur district. As Mahasu Devta and many forms of different other Devis and Devtas such as Naag Devta and Shirgul Maharaj, etc. are worshipped in the region that is why the region is also known as "Devbhoomi".History
Early and ancient period
The Mahasu region forms a part of Western Himalayan cultural belt which is inhabited since prehistoric times by agrarian communities which were adapted to cold and mountainous terrain. Archaeological and folkloric evidences tells the continuity of settlements were based on terrace farming, seasonal migration and social organisation. Since early historic times the region laid on the Shaivite traditions, local deities traditions and Hindu belief. The area did not had a single kingdom but consisted of various small hill chiefdoms.Early medieval period (7th-13th centuries)
During this era the Mahasu region remained politically fragmented. The local rulers used to govern small territories which often has forts, temples or river valleys. The region from the early times till even today governed by the local deities for justice delivery, even king's order at that time was not supreme but the Devta's orders were. It is believed that during this era Mahasu Devta cult gained prominence perhaps. The deity emerged as one of the supreme Lords of the region across multiple valleys and rivers.Late medieval period and hill states
These states were politically divided and independent but culturally they were interconnected. They shared language, religious practices and Devtas' authority even above kings and rulers of these states.British colonial period
After the Anglo-Gurkha War, many parts of the region came under the control of Britishers. They overtook many kingdoms. They did not abolished the hill states but reorganised through indirect rule, they made the Punjab Hill States and Simla Hill States which also included areas of Mahasu region. Britishers gave the idea of Mahasu district at that time which they named after the primary deity and language of the region.Post-independence reorganisation
After Indian independence in 1947, princely states of the region were merged into the Indian Union like other states of India. In 1948 Mahasu district was officially formed after the 1948 integration of various Simla Hill States. On 1 May 1960, Kinnaur district was carved out from Mahasu's Chini tehsil and parts of Rampur. On 1 September 1972, Mahasu district was reorganised and dissolved, with its areas forming the new Shimla and Solan districts as today.Geography
Expansion
The Mahasu region today is divided into three states, its main region lies in Himachal Pradesh, western parts of Uttarakhand and some parts of Northern Haryana. In Himachal Pradesh the region lies in the following districts: Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Kullu, southern and south-eastern parts of Mandi, Bara Bhangal area of Kangra and some parts of south-western Kinnaur district. In Uttarakhand's three districts have the region's parts, these are Uttarkashi's western region of Bangan, Parvat, Ravain, etc. areas and Dehradun district's Jaunsar-Bawar area. In Tehri Garhwal district's Jaunpur block, adjoining Jaunsar is culturally part of Greater Mahasu region which also includes upper parts of Mussoorie and Landour. In Haryana, Mahasu region includes Panchkula district's Kalka, Pinjore and Morni Hills, and in Yamunanagar district it includes Kalesar hill regions which also is home to Kalesar National Park.Rivers
The Mahasu region has four major rivers which flows through it, these are Yamuna, Satluj, Beas and Ravi, and these are very important to the people of the region culturally and religiously as well as for their livelihood. Major tributaries of Yamuna which also play important role in the lives of the people of the region. Notable tributaries of Yamuna river in the region are, Pabbar which divides Himachal's Rohru and Uttarakhand's Jaunsar, Giri river which divides the Sirmaur district into two parts Giriwaar and Giripaar, Tons river which separates Sirmaur district and Jaunsar-Bawar. Other major tributaries are also there of Satluj and Beas which are also very important to the people of the region.Peaks
Mahasu region has Himachal Pradesh's many of the highest mountain peaks, highest peak of the region is Parvati Parvat others are Dibibokri Pyramid, Indrasan, Deo Tibba, Solang peak, Maiwa Kadinu, Umashila, Shintidhar, Shrikhand Mahadev, Inder Killa, Patalsu, Shacha Peak all lies in Kullu district. Hanuman Tibba at the border of Kullu and Bara Banghal area of Kangra district. Pishu, Gushu both lies at the border of Kinnaur and Shimla districts, Chanshal Peak, Hatu Peak, Kuppar Peak, Kamlodi Mata Top, Shali Tibba, Chhichad Tibba Dlondar Peak, Nag Tikkar all lies in Shimla district. Nagru 4,020 metres, Shikari Devi 3,359 metres Kamrunag 3,065 metres, Tunga Mata Top 3,000 metres, Shetadhar 2,990 metres, Propt Dhar 2,900 metres, Devidarh 2,872 metres, Prashar 2,730 metres, Winch Camp 2,700 metres all lies in Mandi district.The highest peak of whole Shivalik Range, Churdhar 3,647 metres at the border of Shimla and Sirmaur district.Culture
The culture of Mahasu region is deeply rooted in the folk Hindu traditions. The Mahasu region culturally and linguistically distincts from its mountainous cultural neighbour regions that of Garhwal region and Lower Himachal region. Mahasu region primarily follows Dev Parampara. The region has many temples dedicated to particular Devta or Devi. People of the region has their own Kuldevta and Kuldevi. Mahasu Devta is one of the primary deity of the region represented by four brothers and known as Mahasu Devta collectively. Shri Raghunath Mandir in Kullu dedicated to Shri Rama is also one of the most worshipped and prominent deity of the region especially in Kullu and adjoining areas, as Shri Raghunath is another form of Shri Rama and worshipped as God not as Devta. The people of the region mainly believes in the authority of Devtas of the region or their Kul Devta and Kul Devi or Gram Devta.Temples
The building structures especially temples and some of the housings of the region mainly follows Kath Kuni and Nagara architectural styles in which the structures are made up with woods and stone materials, which is beneficial in winters as in snowfall and in heavy monsoons which is required in such mountainous terrain. Temples in the region are usually located on the hilltop.[Mahasu Devta Temple]
The primary temple of the region is Mahasu Devta Temple located in Hanol, Jaunsar. The temple is dedicated to the primary Devta of the region, Mahasu Devta. There are many temples dedicated to Mahasu Devta in whole of the region, as one is in Renuka Ji Tehsil in Sirmaur district. Mahasu Devta Jatar is orgainsed in Shimla's Kotkhai area every year in the third Tuesday of Baisakh. Mahasu Devta is one of the primary deities of the region.[Shirgul Maharaj Temple]
Shirgul Maharaj Devta is also one of the primary deities of the region. His main temple is located on Churdhar peak Sirmaur district. There are various temples dedicated to Shirgul Maharaj in whole of the Mahasu region as in Chaupal in Shimla district and in many other places of the region.Naag Devta Temples
The region has many temples dedicated to Naag Devta. Naag Devta is also one the primary Devtas of the region. People believe that he saves them from all evils and problems. In maximum villages of the region there is at least one temple dedicated to Naag Devta. Major Naag Devta temples in the region are Mul Mahunag in Karsog in Mandi district, Mahunag Mandir Shagin in Shoghi, Shimla, Kamrunag in Mandi district, etc.Ancestoral spirits
The people of the region also worship their spirits of their ancestors in the form of Devta or Kuldevta. There are temples dedicated to them and these Devtas connect and communicate to the people in the form of Gur also known as Deenva, Maali, etc. in various dialects of Mahasu Pahari and other languages of the region of the larger Mahasuic group.Clothing and attire
The region's traditional attire reflects the cold mountainous environment. People wear Himachali cap as the main headwear worn by both men and women, Dhatu is also a headwear worn by wone of the region. Pattu mainly worn by men and Shawls and Chola by women. Rejta is also a long frock styled attire worn by women of the region. People also wear many handcrafted ornaments and handwoven attires.Music and dance
The people of the Mahasu region has their traditional dance and music form [Nati (dance)|Nati (dance)|Nati]. Nati has different styles in the region in many areas such as Kulluvi Nati, Baradi Nati in Jaunsar, Jaunpur and Mussoorie in Uttarakhand. Many other dance forms apart from Nati are also followed by people such as, in Sirmaur and Jaunsar areas, Hathi, Harul and Thandi dance forms are performed by people on festivals and celebratory occasions. In Keonthal area of Shimla and in Solan Pahari Giddha is also performed in marriages and festivities, as well as Gangi are performed by the women of the families.Jhoori is another type of music form which celebrates romance, the word Jhoori means lover and is accompanied by female dance called Jhoomar. Laman form of music is from Kullu are another type music form that celebrates romance.