Despite the Himachal Pradesh High Court taking strict cognisance of illegal rave parties in the forests of Parbati Valley, another three-day "Psychedelic Forest Gathering" has been advertised at Fairy Forest in Pulga, Parbati Valley, from September 4 to 6.
The proposed event is being promoted on social media platforms, including Facebook and X, but Kullu Police said it has no information about such a gathering.
The online invitation reads: "This September, Karahana Project transforms the enchanting Fairy Forest of Pulga in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh into a three-day celebration of music, nature and connection. Dance between towering deodar trees, immerse yourself in hypnotic psychedelic beats and experience one of India's most magical forest gatherings." The post also carries a contact mobile number.
Kullu-Manali, particularly Kasol and Parbati Valley, have long been associated with rave parties, fuelled by the availability of hashish and synthetic drugs. Such gatherings, often held in remote forest areas during full moon nights, attract participants from across India and abroad.
Last month, the Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered the registration of an FIR and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following a rave party held in a forest area.
The court observed that the case reflected "abject surrender" by the authorities and said the conduct of officials "smacks of collusion" with the organisers.
The court took cognisance of music events held at Green Forest-I and Green Forest-II near Grahan, close to Kasol, from June 7 to 11, 2026. The events reportedly attracted thousands of participants, with entry tickets priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 16,000. The High Court also directed the state government to transfer the Kullu Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police and the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate within a week. The order is yet to be implemented.
Kullu Superintendent of Police Madan Lal Kaushal said the police had no information about any rave party planned for September and that no permission had been granted for such an event.
"DSPs, SHOs and other officers in plain clothes have been deployed across the valley to prevent and disrupt any unauthorised parties or activities," he said.
Kaushal added that the police had expanded surveillance beyond physical patrolling and was monitoring hoardings and social media platforms.
According to OP Sharma, former Convener of the Nasha Nivaran Board, rave parties have existed in Manali and Parbati Valley since the 1990s. He said LSD and MDMA had entered the region years ago, while the valley became internationally known for "Malana Cream", a high-potency cannabis resin. Over time, synthetic drugs also gained a foothold in the area.
Sharma said what began as small underground gatherings had evolved into large-scale commercial events. Venues had shifted from secluded open spaces to dense forests and private resorts. The difficult terrain of Parbati Valley often gave organisers enough time to destroy evidence, making enforcement difficult. He added that organisers generally avoid using the term "rave" while seeking official permission, instead describing such events as "cultural events".
The role of the police and administration has remained under scrutiny following the ticketed event at Grahan near Kasol in June. The venue reportedly had around 50 camping tents, private security personnel and infrastructure capable of accommodating thousands of people. The controversy deepened after a Russian DJ died of a suspected drug overdose during the Grahan event.