Kandali Festival is celebrated by the Rung tribe in the Chaundans valley of Pithoragarh district in the Kumaon division. This Uttarakhandi festival marks the flowering of the flower Kandali which blosoms only once in 12 years.
This festival honours the defeat of Zorawar Singh ‘s army, a general of the Sikh Empire who tried to conquer the area in 1841. According to local storeys, it was the women who protected the area against the soldiers who tried to plunder the villages and hide in the Kandali shrub.
Another legend has it that a young boy died after adding the Kandali plant to his wounds, and then his mother cursed the plant and ordered the women to dig it out of the ground when it reached its full bloom.
It’s a week-long festival in which the people of the valley worship the idol of Lord Shiva made of barley and buckwheat and pray for victories over their enemies. This is completed by the puja, the festive feast, and the raising of the flag. Victorious cries are made, and the scene of resistance is recreated. The locals also show as if attacking the Kandali shrub. Local liquor is also an important part of the festival. Festivities and parties take place all night long.