This fair takes place every year in the months of April-May in the town of Dwarahat (Almora). This Syalde Bikhauti Mela takes place in two phases, the first in the Vimandeshwar Temple and the second in the Dwarahat market. During the mela, you can see folk dances and songs with traditional foliage decorated by people gathered together. An significant practice, ‘Oda Bhetna,’ is the striking of a stone (Oda). According… Read More »Siyalde Bikhauti Mela.
The Purnagiri Mela, bearing the name of the temple in which it is held, is a sacred festival celebrated to commemorate the goddess of Sati. At an altitude of more than 1,650 m above the sea level, not only do vibrant colours give life to the festival, but the picturesque views of the Himalayas on display are a sight to behold. From the point of view of its religious significance,… Read More »Purnagiri Mela
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… Read More »Kandali festival
Ganga Dussehra or Dasar is a festival that celebrates the emergence of the holy river Ganga from heavens. This festival takes place on Dashami (the tenth day) of the month of Jyeshtha and is a ten-day festival. It is seen in the ghats of Ganga in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Allahabad, where devotees plunge into the water of the river hoping to rid themselves of their sins for ten consecutive days.… Read More »Ganga Dussehra
Phool Dei is a festival that celebrates the harvest of the year and the coming spring season. It takes place on the first day of the Chaitra season (March-April) in accordance with the Hindu calendar and is also known as the Harvest Festival. As the name suggests, it is time for flowers to blossom, Young girls go from house to house, singing the folk songs. Phool dei, chhamma dei, Deni… Read More »Phool Dei
The festival of Ghughutia or Kale Kauva is also celebrated during the time of Makar Sankranti. Locals are baking sweets made from deep-fried flour in various shapes, such as knives, spears, etc. By feeding the crows and migratory birds, the locals welcome them and also hope that they will come back next year. Children are also singing songs to attract these migratory birds. What a way to express their love… Read More »Kale Kauva or Ghughutia
Makar Sakranti is a famous festival acknowledging the movement of SUN towards north. This day is also marked as Uttarayaniranti marks the day of Uttarayani, In astrology language, on this day SUN enters the zodiacal sign of ‘makar’ (Capricorn) from ‘kark’ (cancer) Early bathing and SUN worshipping is a must on this day. Special food for this day is Khichdi and til ke laddoo. .
Holi is yet another festival which is played with full spirit in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is famous for three distinct Holi festivities : Mahila Holi, Khadi Holi, Baithak Holi, Folk music and singing is essential part of all Holi celebrations in Uttarakhand. Mahila Holi involves women singing to their heart’s content; Khadi Holi involves the locals donning their traditional clothes, usually observed in rural areas and Baithiki Holi requires singing of… Read More »Holi
First part is called Bhitauli and concluding part as Harela. Bhaituli is celebrated in March – April. House women sow seeds in the soil and by the end of the festival that comes in July – August (also starting of the rainy season), they reap the harvest and this is called Harela. This is just a unique combination of festival – testing of seeds, starting of rainy season. Perhaps… Read More »Bhitauli and Harela
Basant Panchami is a festival that celebrates the coming of the spring season. It’s a big festival in Uttarakhand. It is celebrated in the month of Magh or January / February. Yellow dress is the flavour of this festival, dancing with Chounphula and Jhumelia, and flying kites are other regular routines during the day. Goddess of Knowledge and prosperity, Devi Saraswati is worshipped. New beginning are done, kids are offered new… Read More »Basant Panchami