CM Sukhu savours pakodas at Chamba's Minjar Mela
Synopsis
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the International Minjar Mela in Chamba on 2 August 2026, tasting pakodas at a local stall and paying tribute to the skill and warmth of Himachal's working vendors and artisans.
Key Takeaways
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attended the International Minjar Mela in Chamba on 2 August 2026 .
He tasted garam-garam pakodiyaan (hot fritters) at a vendor's stall and praised the skill of local workers.
The Minjar Mela is an annual cultural fair held in Chamba district each July–August celebrating monsoon, crafts, and community traditions.
Sukhu described the food as carrying 'a sweetness of belonging,' and extended warm wishes to all hardworking people.
Hill-state leaders routinely attend district melas to engage communities and highlight the informal economy of artisans and vendors.
A steaming plate of pakodas at a roadside stall became the centrepiece of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's visit to the International Minjar Mela in Chamba — and a moment he chose to share with the state.
Posting on 2 August 2026, Sukhu described tasting 'garam-garam pakodiyaan' (piping-hot fritters) at a vendor's stall during the fair, writing that Himachal's working men and women carry remarkable skill, and that the dishes they prepare hold 'a sweetness of belonging.' He signed off with warm wishes for all hardworking companions.
Minjar Mela: Chamba's annual monsoon celebration
The Minjar Mela is one of Himachal Pradesh's most prominent cultural fairs, held annually in Chamba district during July–August to mark the monsoon season and celebrate local traditions, crafts, and community life. The fair draws artisans, food vendors, and visitors from across the hills and beyond, giving small-scale producers a rare platform to reach a wider audience.
Chamba itself is known for its ancient temples and a living tradition of handicrafts — from Chamba rumal embroidery to metalwork — that stretch back centuries. The Minjar Mela sits at the heart of this cultural identity.
A familiar ritual: Hill-state leaders and the district mela circuit
Sukhu's stop at a pakoda stall is part of a well-worn pattern in Himachal politics. State leaders across administrations have made a point of attending district-level melas — not merely for ceremony, but to be seen engaging directly with local vendors, artisans, and ordinary residents. The gesture carries weight in a state where hill-district economies lean heavily on seasonal fairs, tourism, and cottage industry.
By spotlighting a single food vendor in his post, Sukhu directed attention toward the informal economy that underpins these events — the cooks, craftspeople, and traders who make the mela what it is.
Point of View
Eat with vendors, and let the imagery do the political work. In a state where cultural tourism and informal hill-economy livelihoods are genuine electoral concerns, these moments are low-cost but high-visibility. The Congress government in Shimla has an interest in being seen as rooted in grassroots Himachali identity — especially ahead of any electoral cycle — and the Minjar Mela, with its international tag and mass footfall, is a natural stage for that.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Minjar Mela in Chamba?
The Minjar Mela is an annual international cultural fair held in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, every July–August. It celebrates the monsoon season and showcases local traditions, handicrafts, food, and community life.
Why did CM Sukhu visit the Minjar Mela in 2026?
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the International Minjar Mela in Chamba on 2 August 2026 to engage with local vendors and artisans, praising their skills and the cultural significance of the fair.
What did CM Sukhu say about local vendors at the Minjar Mela?
Sukhu said that Himachal's working men and women possess remarkable skill, and that the food they prepare carries 'a sweetness of belonging.' He extended heartfelt wishes to all hardworking people.
Where is Chamba district located?
Chamba is a district in the northern part of Himachal Pradesh, known for its ancient temples, traditional handicrafts such as Chamba rumal embroidery, and annual cultural fairs including the Minjar Mela.
Who is Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu?
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, in office since December 2022, and a leader of the Indian National Congress party.
