Culture Of Uttarakhand - Local Festivals

The spirit of the people of Uttarakhand is beautifully captured in the rich customs, traditions, fairs and festivals, enthusiastically celebrated across the state. The Culture Of Uttarakhand, heritage of this mountain State is keenly reflected in the robust flok music , songs and dances which are enjoyed by the hardworking hill people. Uttarakhand's diverse ethnicity has created a rich literary tradition in various languages including Hindi, Jaunsari, Garhwali and Bhootiya.

"Culture and Spritual

Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit"

- Jawaharlal Nehru

The dances of the region are connected to the day to day life of the people and exhibit myriad human emotions. some of the well known dance forms of Uttarakhand are- Langvir Nritya, Barada Nati, Hurka Baul, Jhumailo Chauphula, and Chholiya,

Music is an integral part of the Uttarakhand culture. various forms of folk music like Mangal, Basanti, Khuded and Chhopati enthrall the listeners with its beautiful melody. Jaagar , another important form of music in which Jagariya songs a ballad of the gods , is inspired by epics, like Mahabharat and Ramayana .

Every twelfth year Uttarakhand hosts the biggest religious gathering in the world - Kumbh Mela, in the pilgrimage town of Haridwar. Besides this, some others important festivals celebrated in the hill state are - Baithki Holi, Khari Holi, Mahila Holi, Ganga Dussehra, Makar Sankranti, Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, Vat Savitri , Phul Dei etc. In addition, fairs also hold  Great significance now read more about Culture Of Uttarakhand-Local Festivals.

Kumbh Mela

Considered as the most sacred of all the Hindu pilgrimages, Kumbh Mela carries a majestic aura of its own. Attracting millions of devotees, holy men, Visitors and foreign tourists, the Kumbh Mela is an epitome of Hinduism at its most organized and sacred best . Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nasik and Ujjain- each of these four cities hosts the Kumbh mela every 12 years. As per the scriptures, during the battle between the Gods and the Demons, drops of nectar fell on these four holy cities.

A ritual at a predetermined time and Place is the major event of this festival. It is believed that bathing in the sacred Ganga is equal to circumambulating the earth one million times, besides it washes away sins of several generations.

Nanda Devi Fair

Nanda Devi is the patron goddess of Uttarakhand and various shrines across the state are devoted to the devi. The Nanda Devi Mela is one of the most popular festivals in Uttarakhand and attracts people from all across the country. NANDA means well- being and prosperity and the mela is held in the memory of goddess Nanda and  Sunanda, as a symbol of spiritual and  material prosperity. The fair is held in the month of August/ September at Almora, Nainital, Kot, Ranikhet, Bhowali, Kichha and the far Flung Villages of Johar and Pindar Valley. 

Thousands take part in the procession carrying the Dola of goddess Nanda Devi. The Nanda Devi Fair is rich in folk expressions and witnesses outstanding performances by rural artists and sale of ethnic hand crafted goods .

Read More -  Famous Temples of  ShriVishnu  In Uttarakhand in Hindi

Khari Holi

Holi in Kumaon is an extraordinary affair. It's uniqueness lies in it being a musical affair, be it  the Baithki Holi, the Khari Holi or the Mahila Holi. Also  the festivities of Holi last for almost two months starting with the festival of Basant Panchami, which traditionally signifies the end of the winter season.

The Baithki Holi and Khari Holi are unique in that the songs on which they are based have a touch of melody, fun and spiritualism . These songs are essentially based on classical ragas but have heavy influence of Kumaoni folk music traditions ; Culture Of Uttarakhand

Baithki Holi begins from the premises of temples, where Holiyars (the singers of Holi songs) as also the people gather to sing songs to the accompaniment of classical music instruments like Harmonium and tabla.

Khari Holi usually starts a little later than Baithaki Holi and is mostly celebrated in the rural areas of Kumaon . The songs of the Khari Holi are sung by the people , sporting traditional white Nokdaar Topi, Churidar Payajama and Kurta. Kahari Holi is filled with excitement and frolic as opposed to the more somber nature of the Baithaki Holi.

The Purnagiri Fair

Situated on a hill top, 20 kilometers from Tanakpur, in the district of Champawat, the temple of Purnagiri attracts thousands of devotees throughout the year. Also known as Purnagiri temple which means temple of goods deeds, it organized the famous Purnagiri fair between the months of Poush and Chaitra, when the entire valley reverberates with the enchanting sounds of hymns and devotional songs. 

The annual fair starts from vishuwat sankaranti and continues for forty days.

The Devidhura fair

Devidhura is situated in the champawat district, at the junction of Almora , Pithoragarh and Nainital district. The unusual Devidhura fair held every year in the varahi Devi temple, on the day of Raksha Banddhan attracts visitors from far and wide.

The fair is famous for enchanting folk songs and dances besides being known for its thrilling tradition of Bagwal, where two groups of dancing and singing people throw stones at each other  while they try to protect themselves with the help of wooden shields.

Kandali Mohotsav

One of the most unique festivals of Uttarakhand,Kandali Mohotsav is celebrated in the Chaudans region of Pithoragarh district. Named after the Kandali flowers , which blooms in the region once every 12 years, the festival is celebrated for a week with gaiety and enthusiasm, in the months between August to October.

Kandali Mohotsav is an important festival for the womenfolk as they lead the procession armed with a rill, followed by children and men armed with swords and shields. dressed in their traditional best, the locals gather around a tree on the sacred ground of the village, where they perform the rituals. The festival commences with an auspicious ceremony where the courtyard of every house is beautifully decorated. Shiva Linga made of barley and buckwheat flour mixture is worshiped and the locals pray for the prosperity and well-being of the community. The individual pujas are followed by a community feast and the celebrations continue throughout the nights.

Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra

A globally famous festival, Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra , invokes participation by thousands of people from across the world. A lively and colorful festival, it offers an unparalleled and fulfilling experience to both the religiously inclined as well as the trekking enthusiasts. 

Nanda Devi Rajjat Yatra is a very old traditional pilgrimage continuing since 9th century. Nand Devi , the daughter of King of mountains, and the consort of Lord Shiva, is the supreme goddess of the people of Garhwal and Kumaon region. The Yatra signifies the passage of Nanda Devi , every 12th year , to her maternal place near Nanda Ghungti peak. The pilgrimage is unique to the district of Chamoli and continues for close to three weeks.

A golden image of Nanda Devi is carried in a silver palanquin and thousands of devotees follow in a long long procession . There are 19-20 halting places and great festivities and religious observance mark the Jat at each halt. The procession swells as it advances with various groups joining with their idols and umbrellas.

This 280 kilometers pilgrimage by foot begins at the village , of Chamoli district and reaches Homkund, via the amazingly picturesque Bedini Bugyal, Roopkund and the tough Jyura Gali pass, on Nandashtami. The jat involves a long and arduous journey over treacherous terrains rising to an altitude of 5335 meters.

The jat is accompanied by a mythical four- horned sheep loaded with offerings for the goddess. The pilgrims do not go beyond Homkund, from where the mythical Ram takes the gifts and disappears in the glaciers.

Anduri Utsav

The opportunity to play with butter, milk and 'Chacch' (Butter Milk) on the lush green high altitude Himalayan meadow at an altitude of 3048 meters is a once in a lifetime experience. This unique butter festival, locally known as 'Anduri Utsav' is a traditional Holi of the Himalayan natives.

The festival is associated with the practice of villagers moving to higher altitudes during summer. For four long months, highlanders move cattle to high altitudes for pasture. Villagers celebrate 'Anduri' when winter approaches and its time to leave the grassland. It to thank the mother earth for giving them a safe and comfortable stay on the Bug-yal (meadows). Anduri is also celebrated to thank Lord  Krishna for protecting the cattle from evil forces while they were grazing in the open meadows. The traditional 'Raso' group dances besides the melodious folk songs makes this an unforgettable experience. The butter smeared faces of the people are a real treat to watch. 

Kanwar Yatra

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage of the devotees of lord Shiva, known as Kanwarias , to Hindu pilgrimages sites like Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri, to fetch the holy waters of Ganges- the sacred Gangajal. once the devotees reach their hometown , the Gangajal is offered to bathe the Shiva Lingam on the Amavasya ( New Moon) day in Shravan month. Some offer the sacred water to local Shiva temples where as some devotees prefer to do so in larger and more prestigious Shiva temples.

The yatra used to be a small affair undertaken by a few saints and older devotees until the 1990s, when it started gaining popularity. Nowadays thousands of pilgrims from the neighbouring states of Delhi, UP, Harayana, Punjab and Rajasthan enthusiastically participate in the Kanwar Mela. The devotees mostly walk in groups made of family or friends.

The word Kanwar stands for a bamboo pole with two roughly equal loads fastened  at opposite ends. It is used for carrying the pots full of Gangalal by balancing the pole in one or both the shoulders .

Most devotees make the to and fro journey on foot, though a few travel on bicycles , motor Cycles, scooters, mini tricks or jeeps. The community extends help to Kanwarias by setting up camps enroute and providing food, shelter, medical- aid etc to the devotees.

Jhanda mela

In the second half of the 17th century, the seventh Sikh Guru Ram Rai settled in the city of Dehradun, making this city an important place for the Sikhs. Welcomed by the ruler of Dehradun, Guru Ram Rai built a gurudwara here. Every year, in the month of March, after the festival of Hoil, thousands of devotees visit the gurudwara to celebrate the annual fair called Jhanda Mela. The mela commemorates the arrival of Guru Ram Rai to Dehradun to establish his dera. The Mela begins with the hoisting of the new flag or Nishan Sahib. Attended by thousands of devotees and Sangats belonging to the Udasin sect the Sikhs from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the celebrations of the mela have continued for more than three centuries now. The devotees pay their respects to the Mahant of Guru Ram Rai Durbar and it is believed that the darshani gilaf or the velvet cover put on top of the jhanda or pole has been booked till the year 2075 which shows the immense faith of the believers. Devotees also undertake the Nagar Parikrama (circumambulation of the city) during the Jhanda mela. Apart from its religious importance, the fair attracts huge crowds every year, transforming the Durbar Sahib area into a hub of vibrant activities.

Chholia Dance

Dating back to over a thousand years, the Chholia Dance has its origins in the warring Khasiya Kingdom of Khasdesh, when marriages were performed at the point of the swords .

This dance form is practised in the Kumaon region and is especially popular in the districts of Pithoragarh, Champawat, Bageshwar, and Almora. It is basically a accompanying a marriage procession but now it is performed on many auspicious occasions.

Performed by the Rajputs with swords and shields the dance is marked with jumps and turns of the body. Attired in costumes of ancient warriors the dancers show several sword- fighting feats. The flashing swords and shields, war- like music, and the fiery expression of the enthusiastic dancers give an impression of worriors going for battle. Chholia is traditionally performed by a team of 22 men, eight of them are the sword dancers and the rest 14 are the musicians.

you can follow us to read more about Culture of Uttarakhand.

Read More - Land Of Gods Uttarakhand

FAQ

Q1-What is the traditional festival of Uttarakhand?
Ans- Some traditional festival of uttarakhand Basant Panchami, Bhitauli, Harela, Phooldei, Batsavitri, Ganga Dusshera, Dikar Puja, Olgi or Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, Ghuian Ekadashi and Ghughutia

Q2-What is the dance of Uttarakhand?
Ans- Although there are many dances in Uttarakhand, which are performed on different occasions, some like Mandan and Chholiya are some main dances here.

Q3- What is the language of Uttarakhand?

Ans-  Most of the people of Uttarakhand speak pahari language (Garhwali and Kumaoni). Hindi is the principal spoken language. Other languages used in Uttarakhand include punjabio and