Described as a festival of pastoralists and agriculturalists, the ‘Hill Jatra’ festival was first seen in the village of Kumaour in India. In the ancient times, the ritual is linked to the ‘ropai’ (plantation of paddy) for which a buffalo must be sacrificed in order to appease the gods who will ensure a good yield during the current season of farming.
As far as the actual ceremony is concerned, it can be generally put under three categories: worship and ritualistic services comprising the first collection of activities accompanied by various pastoral activities. To conclude the ceremony, songs are recited and people are seen wearing masks that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand.
Traditional dances such as ‘Chanchari’ are performed, making the entire festival a safe and immersive experience.