Even after the Himachal Pradesh High Court took a strict stand against illegal rave parties in Parbati Valley, another three-day event has been advertised online. The "Psychedelic Forest Gathering" is scheduled to be held at Fairy Forest in Pulga from September 4 to 6.
The event is being promoted through social media platforms, including Facebook and X. However, Kullu Police said they have no information about the proposed gathering.
The promotional post invites people to attend a three-day music event in Pulga's Fairy Forest. It promises a mix of music, nature and community, encouraging visitors to enjoy psychedelic music amid the deodar forests. A contact mobile number has also been shared in the post.
Kasol and the Parbati Valley have long been known for rave parties because of the easy availability of hashish and synthetic drugs. Such events are usually organised in remote forest areas and attract visitors from across India as well as foreign countries.
Last month, the Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered the registration of an FIR and directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after an alleged rave party was held in a forest area.
The court came down heavily on the authorities, saying they had failed to discharge their responsibilities. It also observed that the conduct of some officials appeared to suggest collusion with the organisers.
The case relates to music events held at Green Forest-I and Green Forest-II near Grahan, close to Kasol, between June 7 and 11. The gatherings allegedly attracted thousands of people, with tickets priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 16,000. The High Court also ordered the transfer of the Kullu Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate within a week. The transfers are yet to be carried out.
Kullu Superintendent of Police Madan Lal Kaushal said the police have not received any information about a rave party planned for September. He also said no permission has been granted for such party.
Kaushal said DSPs, SHOs and police personnel in plain clothes have been deployed across the valley to stop any unauthorised parties or similar activities. He added that the police are not only conducting field patrols but are also keeping a close watch on social media platforms and public advertisements to identify such events.
Former Nasha Nivaran Board convener OP Sharma said rave parties have been taking place in Manali and Parbati Valley since the 1990s. He said the region later became famous for "Malana Cream", a high-quality cannabis resin, while synthetic drugs such as LSD and MDMA gradually became more common.
Sharma said these gatherings have grown from small underground parties into large commercial events. Organisers now use forests and private resorts instead of isolated open spaces. He said the difficult terrain often allows organisers enough time to remove evidence before authorities arrive. According to him, organisers usually describe such programmes as "cultural events" while seeking official permission instead of calling them rave parties.
The June event near Grahan has also raised questions over the role of the police and district administration. The venue reportedly had around 50 camping tents, private security and facilities for thousands of participants. The controversy intensified after a Russian DJ allegedly died due to a suspected drug overdose during the event.
Also read: HC orders transfer of Kullu DC, SP over rave parties
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