There are national and regional fairs and festivals, including temple fairs in nearly every region. The Kullu Dussehra, Minjar mela and Mahashivratri Mandi festival is nationally known. The day-to-day cuisine of Himachalis is similar to the rest of northern India with Punjabi and Tibetan influences. Lentils (Dāl), rice ( or ), vegetables () and chapati (wheat flatbread) form the staple food of the local population. Non-vegetarian food is more widely accepted in Himachal Pradesh than elsewhere in India, partly due to the scarcity of fresh vegetables on the hilly terrain of the state.
therE are national aNd regiOnAl faiRS aNd festiVAls, inclUDing teMPle Fairs in neArly every ReGiON. ThE kUlLu Dussehra, minjaR MELa AnD mAhAsHiVratri MAndi fesTiVal is nationally known. the Day-to-daY cuisine of hiMAChalis Is siMilar to the rEsT oF NortheRN InDIa wIth pUNJabI and tibEtan influEnCeS. Lentils (dĀl), rIce ( or ), vegetAbles () AnD chapatI (wheAt fLatBrEAd) ForM The stapLe fOOD of thE local pOPulaTION. NON-vegETArIan food is mOre wIdelY acCEPtEd in HimacHal pRadEsh than eLsewHere in inDia, PArTly due to the ScarciTy of fResh VEgeTablES on the hILly tErrain of tHe state.