Naggar (Kullu), Jan. 2 : A number of villagers in Himachal Pradesh's Naggar Village participate in a unique procession in which the participants give choicest of expletives as part of an age-old ritual to keep any probable evil spirit at bay from the vicinity of the area.

About two thousand villagers took part in this annual procession earlier this week, which went around the village following the age-old practice here.

"We take out a procession hurling obscenities, to ward off the evil spirits," said Joginder Acharya, the priest.

A five wicket haul by out-of-form Ajit Agarkar, helped Mumbai to win its Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Himachal Pradesh by nine wickets at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera on Monday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 200 for the loss of 5 wickets, Himachal Pradesh team could add only 87 runs to its score tally before getting all out for 287, thus, giving Mumbai a target of 43 runs to win the match.

A crushing six-wicket haul by paceman Abhishek Nayar helped Mumbai restrict Himachal Pradesh to 250 in their first innings in their Ranji Trophy quarter-final match.

Nayar’s six for 45 in three spells helped Mumbai restrict Himachal to 250 after winning the toss.

Himachal's opening pair of Bhavin Thakkar and Sangram Singh — began cautiously and added 20 runs for the first wicket partnership.

However, Himachal batsman failed to maintain the momentum and in a quick succession of time, they lost three quick wickets to be reduced to 50 for three by the 25th over.

Dharamshala, Dec. 25 : Kangra Art Museum in Himachal Pradesh is making an endeavour to save the miniature paintings showcasing Kangra art form in a special way.

The single art school of its own kind is being run in the museum for children and youth aged between 14 to 30 years. It is training many youngsters in Kangra Art form and also enabling them for self-employment.

These art students are learning basic techniques of Kangra Art and getting familiar with this extra ordinary centuries old art form and its beautiful color combination and representation techniques.

Shimla, Dec. 23 : Christmas festivities have brought a refreshing enthusiasm to the local industry of Himachal Pradesh that had been facing a dull time for a while at many places.

Tourists in the hill resorts of Shimla and Manali that received a heavy snowfall this year, are awaiting the advent of Christmas with high hopes of celebrating it with loved ones amidst fun, frolic and more snow.

To make the HIV/AIDS tests compulsory for a couple before marriage, the Himachal Pradesh government is considering a proposal. It would help to build a foundation for a healthy society, said the State Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. He has made the announcement without giving any further details of the time frame for the implementation of the proposal.