Butter Festival(Anduri Utsav) – 2025 at Dayara Bugyal | A Celebration of Nature, Culture & Butter!

Why the Butter Festival – 2025 is Celebrated?

The Butter Festival – 2025 is not just about fun. It is a thanksgiving celebration by mountain villagers who depend on livestock and grazing pastures for their living.

During summers, their cows and buffaloes graze in high-altitude meadows like Dayara Bugyal, which are full of herbs and green grass. These pastures give strength to animals, increase milk production, and keep them healthy.

When monsoon ends and cattle return to the villages, the villagers offer makhan, dahi, and ghee to their local deities in Dayara Bugyal, thanking them for protection and blessings.

So, the Butter Festival – 2025 is all about gratitude, purity, and celebration of life in the hills.

When is Butter Festival – 2025 Celebrated?

The Butter Festival – 2025 will be celebrated on 17th August 2025, which falls around Raksha Bandhan and Bhadrapad Sankranti. This period marks the end of the grazing season.

As per local traditions, this date is chosen because the deities, bugyals, and cattle spirits are believed to bless the community during this time.

Where is Butter Festival – 2025 Celebrated?

The festival is celebrated in Dayara Bugyal, a heavenly alpine meadow located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Situated at a height of around 11,000–12,000 feet, this meadow is known for its vast grasslands, Himalayan views, and wildflower carpets.

Dayara Bugyal is also famous as a trekking and camping destination. But during Butter Festival – 2025, it turns into a cultural hotspot filled with colourful locals, butter splashing, and folk dances.

Who Participates in Butter Festival – 2025?

The main villagers who celebrate this festival are from Raithal, the primary base village for the Dayara Bugyal trek. Along with them, people from nearby villages also join the celebration, such as:

• Barsu

• Kyark

• Natin

• Bhatwadi

• Bhatwari

• Banderani

Each village has its own local devtas, and people walk to Dayara Bugyal with dhols, food, butter, and full enthusiasm.

Local Deities Worshipped During Butter Festival – 2025

During the Butter Festival – 2025, several Himalayan deities are worshipped. These gods are carried in decorated palanquins (Dev Dolis) and honoured with offerings of curd, butter, and milk.

Some of the main deities are:

• Someshwar Devta – The chief protector deity of Raithal. His doli leads the rituals.

• Bhagwati Mata – Worshipped for good health, fertility and prosperity.

• Bugyal Mata – Guardian goddess of the meadow.

• Jeetu Bagadwal – A local folk hero known to protect cattle and the village spirit.

• Bhairav Devta, Narsingh Devta, Kshetrapal Devta, and others – Guardian deities of the region.

All these deities are offered pure milk products and are surrounded by villagers performing folk dances, music, and rituals.

What Happens During Butter Festival – 2025?

Once all the devtas reach Dayara Bugyal, and puja is completed, the fun begins.

• Butter Holi: Villagers splash buttermilk, butter and curd on each other.

• Dahi Handi-like games: Youth climb human pyramids to break pots filled with curd and butter.

• Traditional dances like Pandav Nritya, Rasau Tandi, Jhora, Chholiya, Langvir Nritya, and more fill the atmosphere.

• Dhol-damau and folk singing go on from morning till late afternoon.

• Local women dress as Radha and Krishna, adding beauty and joy to the celebration.

This celebration is not just fun but is considered spiritually pure, removing negativity and bringing good luck.

How to Reach Dayara Bugyal – Full Itinerary for 2025

If you’re planning to attend Butter Festival – 2025, here is a full step-by-step travel guide:

DAY 1: Reach Dehradun

• Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.

• Nearest railway station: Dehradun Railway Station

• You can also take buses or shared taxis from Delhi, Haridwar or Rishikesh to Dehradun.

DAY 2: Travel to Uttarkashi

• From Dehradun, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Uttarkashi (approx 150–170 km).

• Travel time: Around 6 to 7 hours

• Roads are scenic but a bit curvy, so plan to start early.

DAY 3: Reach Raithal Village (Base Village)

• From Uttarkashi, take a shared jeep or taxi to Raithal village (approx 35–40 km).

• Travel time: Around 1.5 to 2 hours

• Raithal is a lovely Himalayan village with homestays, local guides, and amazing views.

DAY 4: Trek to Dayara Bugyal

• Trek distance from Raithal to Dayara Bugyal is 8 to 10 km one way.

• Trek time: Around 4 to 6 hours depending on your pace.

• Trail passes through dense oak forests, Barnala Tal (a small lake), and alpine grasslands.

Optional Route: Via Barsu

• Barsu is another route to Dayara Bugyal. However, Raithal is the main and traditional base during Butter Festival – 2025.

• From Barsu also, it’s a 9–10 km trek but without much forest shade.

Important Tip: Reach Raithal 1 day before the festival to rest and start early next morning with locals. You can stay in local homestays or GMVN guest house.

Travel Tips for Butter Festival – 2025

• Wear simple and comfortable trekking clothes.

• Bring a raincoat or poncho – weather is unpredictable in August.

• Carry some curd or ghee as offerings to devtas if you want to join rituals.

• Respect the locals – ask before taking photos of deities or rituals.

• Bring your own water bottle, dry snacks, and basic medicines.

Conclusion

The Butter Festival – 2025 at Dayara Bugyal is not just a village event – it’s a living tradition, a beautiful blend of nature, spirituality, and joy. If you want to see the real culture of Himalayan life, then this is your chance.

There are no fancy lights or loudspeakers. Only dhol beats, happy faces, mountain gods, and flying butter. You’ll go back not just with pictures but with peace in your heart.

So pack your bags, reach Raithal, and trek up to Dayara Bugyal in August 2025. Let the butter bless you this year!

Also Read

• Trekking to Satopanth Tal – A Himalayan Spiritual Trek

• Planning your first Himalayan trek? Read this checklist

You can also explore more on Himalayan treks like Darma Valley, Adi Kailash, and others on my website mohitbangari.com, where I share full guides, routes, permit tips and cultural info.

Do you know about Ramman festival of Salud-Dungra village? It’s one of the intangible world cultural heritage of India in UNESCO. You can read a detailed article on this topic here.