12 Festivals Of Uttarakhand(2024 updated)
Let’s unfold some important festivals and fairs of Uttarakhand. As we know Uttarakhand is known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture. The state is a treasure trove of traditions, with festivals and fairs that reflect its rich heritage. Among them are the spiritual Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, the colourful Phool Dei celebrating the arrival of spring, and the unique Ramman Mela are the most famous festivals of uttarakhand. These events offer a glimpse into Uttarakhand’s customs, values, and connection to nature. From religious gatherings to seasonal festivities, each celebration brings communities together and highlights the region’s enduring cultural legacy. After reading this article you will able understand rich cultural legacy of Uttarakhand.
1. Egaas- Most Famous Festival Of Uttarakhand
Egaas, also known as Igas, is first of our 12-Festivals-Of-Uttarakhand. It is a traditional festival celebrated in Uttarakhand to mark the conclusion of the harvest season. The festival usually takes place 11 days after Diwali, aligning with the Hindu lunar calendar. It is a significant occasion for the hill communities of Uttarakhand, where people gather to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
Egaas holds cultural importance as it is a time for communities to come together and perform traditional rituals. People participate in ceremonies to honour their cattle, as these animals play a vital role in agricultural practices. The cattle are decorated with garlands and offered special treats, acknowledging their contribution to the farming process.
The festival also involves folk songs and dances that celebrate the rich culture of the region. Communities share traditional meals, and elders tell stories and legends, passing down the region’s heritage to younger generations. Egaas is a time of joy and gratitude, reflecting the harmonious relationship between the people of Uttarakhand and their land.
2. Kanwar Yatra- Festival that relate Uttarakhand to spare India
The Kanwar Yatra, also known as the Kavad Yatra, is a significant pilgrimage for Lord Shiva devotees. It is one of the most well-known festivals of Uttarakhand and is celebrated with great fervour, particularly in the holy town of Haridwar.
This festival takes place during the Hindu month of Shravan, which usually falls in July or August. Devotees, known as Kanwariyas, undertake a journey on foot from various parts of North India, particularly Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, to collect sacred water from the Ganges River in Haridwar.
The Kanwariyas then carry the holy water in special pots back to their hometowns and pour it over Shiva lingams in local temples. This act is believed to bring good fortune and cleanse the soul. The Kanwar Yatra symbolises the devotion of Lord Shiva’s followers and their commitment to the religious and spiritual significance of the festival. The vibrant processions and colourful rituals make it a unique experience for participants and spectators alike.
3. Ramman Mela- Traditional fair of Uttarakhand
Ramman Mela is a vibrant cultural festival celebrated in the Saloor-Dungra village of the Painkhanda region in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The festival takes place in April and is an important event for the local Garhwali community. It is dedicated to Bhumiyal Devta, the village deity who is believed to protect the land and its people.
The festival features a theatrical performance based on mythological stories, primarily focusing on the epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Local artists, known as “choliya dancers,” don traditional costumes and perform folk dances and skits that depict these stories.
Ramman Mela also involves traditional music, chants, and prayers to honour the deities. The festival is recognized for its unique rituals, such as the worship of the village deity and sacred sites within the village. It is a time for the community to come together, celebrate their cultural heritage, and seek blessings for prosperity and protection. The festival has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in 2009, emphasising its significance and uniqueness.
4. Phool Dei- Importent Festival of Uttarakhand
Phool Dei is a traditional festival celebrated of Uttarakhand, particularly in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. This festival marks the arrival of spring and the blooming of flowers. It usually takes place in the month of March and is considered an auspicious occasion.
The festival involves young girls going from house to house, carrying baskets filled with fresh flowers and leaves. They place the flowers on the thresholds of homes while singing traditional songs that bless the house and its inhabitants with prosperity and good health. The songs also welcome the new season and celebrate the natural beauty of the region.
Phool Dei holds cultural importance as it is a way for communities to bond and share in the joy of spring. The festival also emphasizes the connection between people and nature, as the fresh flowers symbolize new beginnings and the cycle of life. It is a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the bounty of the land and the coming of a new agricultural season.
Their is 7 more festival out of 12-Festivals-Of-Uttarakhand. Please continue your reading for understand this cultural journey.
5. Bhitauli- Festival of Kimaon
Bhitauli is a traditional festival celebrated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is a time when married daughters return to their parents’ homes to visit their families and receive gifts from their brothers. This festival typically takes place in the spring, around the time of Navratri.
The festival is a time for family reunions and strengthens the bond between siblings. Brothers give their sisters gifts such as money, clothes, or other items as a token of their love and affection. In return, the sisters bless their brothers and express gratitude for the gifts.
Bhitauli holds cultural importance as it reinforces family ties and the values of love and respect within the family. It is a cherished tradition that promotes harmony and unity among relatives.
6. Kumbh- 12 year pride
Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, and it holds immense significance for Hindus. It is celebrated in four sacred cities in India—Haridwar in Uttarakhand, Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, and Nashik in Maharashtra. The Kumbh Mela in Haridwar is particularly famous, drawing millions of pilgrims from around the country and the world.
The festival occurs every 12 years in each of the four locations, and every six years, an Ardh Kumbh is held at Haridwar and Prayagraj. The timing of the Kumbh Mela is determined by astrological positions, making it an event deeply rooted in Hindu cosmology. The last Kumbh Mela in Haridwar was held in 2021.
During the Kumbh Mela, devotees gather to bathe in the holy Ganges River at Haridwar to cleanse themselves of sins and attain salvation. The event is marked by grand processions of sadhus and saints, religious discourses, and rituals.
Kumbh Mela is an occasion for people to seek spiritual enlightenment, connect with their faith, and witness the rich cultural heritage of Hinduism. It is a time of deep reflection and devotion, with the gathering symbolizing the collective pursuit of purity and spiritual growth.
7. Makar Sankranti- Ghughutiya Festival of Uttarakhand
Makar Sankranti is a significant festival celebrated across India, including Uttarakhand. It usually falls on January 14th each year and marks the transition of the sun from the zodiac sign Sagittarius to Capricorn (Makar). This festival is associated with the harvest season and is celebrated with enthusiasm in both the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand.
In Uttarakhand, the festival is known as “Ghughutiya” and involves various customs and traditions. One such custom includes preparing a sweet delicacy called “ghughuti,” made from jaggery and sesame seeds. These treats are strung together and hung outside homes for birds to eat, symbolising good fortune and the arrival of spring.
Makar Sankranti holds cultural importance as it signifies the sun’s northward journey (Uttarayan), bringing longer days and warmer weather. The festival is marked by rituals such as taking a dip in holy rivers like the Ganges and offering prayers.
People also celebrate by flying colorful kites, singing folk songs, and engaging in traditional dances. Makar Sankranti brings communities together to share the joy of the season and express gratitude for the harvest and nature’s bounty.
8. Kale Kauva – messengers of the gods
Kale Kauva, also known as Ghughutiya, is a traditional festival celebrated in Uttarakhand, particularly in the Kumaon region. It is observed on Makar Sankranti which falls on January 14th each year. The festival is unique to the region and is centred around feeding birds, especially crows, which are considered messengers of the gods.
In preparation for the festival, people make a sweet treat called “ghughuti” from jaggery and sesame seeds. These treats are shaped into different figures such as stars, birds, or other shapes and strung together to form a garland. The garlands are then worn by children around their necks, and they go outside calling out to the crows with songs, inviting them to eat the treats.
The festival symbolizes the strong connection between humans and nature, as it promotes the idea of living in harmony with wildlife. Feeding the crows is believed to bring good luck and blessings from the gods. The festival is also an occasion for family gatherings and storytelling, reinforcing cultural heritage and traditions.
Kale Kauva or Ghughutiya is a beautiful celebration that fosters appreciation for nature and strengthens community bonds through shared customs and rituals.
9. Kandali
Kandali, also known as Kandali festival, is a unique and traditional festival celebrated in the Pindar Valley of the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. The festival takes place approximately once every 12 years, depending on the blooming cycle of the Kandali (Urtica dioica) plant. The Kandali plant is known for its stinging nettles and blooms with bright yellow flowers, indicating the time for the festival.
The festival holds significant cultural importance for the local communities, as it commemorates a legendary victory over an invading enemy. According to local folklore, during the invasion of the Katyuris, the women of the village bravely defended their land while the men were away. The Kandali festival honors this triumph and the valor of the women.
During the festival, local residents gather to perform rituals and offer prayers to deities for prosperity and protection. Traditional music, dances, and songs accompany the celebration, bringing the community together. Participants engage in mock battles using the stems of the Kandali plant as symbolic weapons.
Kandali is a rare and special festival that showcases the cultural heritage and history of the Pindar Valley. It fosters a sense of unity among the people while paying homage to their ancestors and the land’s natural resources.
10. Basant Panchami
Basant Panchami is a vibrant festival celebrated across India, including Uttarakhand. It usually takes place on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Hindu lunar month of Magh, which typically falls in January or February. The festival marks the onset of spring and is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, learning, music, and art.
In Uttarakhand, Basant Panchami is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Schools and educational institutions often hold special events and pujas (prayer ceremonies) to seek the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. People wear yellow or white clothes, representing the colors of spring and the goddess. Traditional dishes, especially those made with yellow ingredients like saffron rice, are prepared and shared with family and friends.
The festival holds cultural importance as it signifies the end of winter and the beginning of the agricultural season. It is a time for sowing seeds and celebrating the new growth of crops. Basant Panchami also highlights the importance of education and learning in society.
Communities gather to perform traditional rituals and enjoy cultural programs, including music and dance. Basant Panchami is a joyful occasion that brings people together to welcome the new season and honor the goddess of wisdom and creativity.
11. Uttarayani Festival
Uttarayani Festival is a significant cultural and religious event celebrated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The festival usually takes place in January, around the time of Makar Sankranti. It marks the northward movement of the sun, known as Uttarayan, and the transition to longer, warmer days.
The festival is an important gathering for the local community and has both cultural and economic aspects. Traditionally, Uttarayani was known as a trading fair where people from different regions would come to exchange goods and services. It was a key event for economic transactions and networking.
Today, the festival is a vibrant celebration of Kumaon’s rich cultural heritage. It features traditional music and dance performances, including the popular Chholiya dance. Cultural programs, fairs, and exhibitions showcase local arts, crafts, and cuisine.
Uttarayani Festival also has historical significance due to its role in the Indian freedom struggle. The festival was a platform for social and political gatherings, where freedom fighters and social reformers would address the public.
Overall, Uttarayani Festival is a lively occasion that brings communities together to celebrate their traditions, foster economic connections, and reflect on the region’s historical and cultural legacy.
12. Bissu
Bissu is a traditional festival celebrated in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of Uttarakhand. It is an important event for the local communities, particularly the Jaunsari tribe. The festival marks the beginning of the spring season and the end of winter, usually taking place in April.
Bissu holds significant cultural importance as it is a time to celebrate the harvest and express gratitude for the land’s bounty. The festival is centered around rituals and ceremonies dedicated to the local deities, including Mahasu Devta, the chief deity of the region.
During Bissu, people come together to participate in traditional songs, dances, and performances. These cultural events often showcase the region’s unique folklore and heritage. The festival also includes animal sacrifices as offerings to the deities, seeking their blessings for prosperity and protection.
Bissu is an occasion for families and communities to bond and share in the joy of the new season. It emphasises the strong connection between the people of Jaunsar-Bawar and their natural environment. Through its various customs and traditions, Bissu preserves and promotes the rich cultural legacy of the region.
Closing Word
Uttarakhand’s fairs and festivals celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted traditions. From spiritual gatherings like Kumbh Mela to most famous local festivals like Egaas and Bissu, each event showcases the state’s unique blend of customs, folklore, and rituals. These festivals strengthen community bonds, honour the land’s bounty, and foster appreciation for nature. Uttarakhand’s festivals provide a glimpse into the state’s diverse and captivating cultural tapestry.
25/04/2024
Mohit Bangari
