Festivals of Uttarakhand

1. Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is the biggest and one of the most uttarakhand's famous festival. It is a fair and significant occasion for the people of the state.

Kumbh Mela is a huge congregation of pilgrims that requires dipping in the Ganga river to get rid of sins. Kumbh Mela is a three-month festival that takes place once every twelve years among Nasik, Ujjain, Haridwar and Allahabad.

The festival's exact date is taken from the Vikrant calendar, based on which the ritual elaborates. The Last Kumbh Mela happened between 1 April 2021 to 17 April 2021.

It was shorter than usual last year following the CoViD-19 pandemic situation.

• Significance: As per the Hindu Mythology, it is believed that people get rid of their past sins if they take dip in the Ganga River at Haridwar as the nectar fell here during the churning of the ocean by the gods and the demons. 

• Key attraction:  Sadhus, saints, onlookers or followers, regardless of their gender, caste or creed, emerge from throughout the country to bathe themselves in the Ganga river, eliminating the birth and death cycle. 

• When: The next Kumbh Mela is in 2025 in Allahabad, as the fair happens in a three-year difference in the cities.

2. Basant Panchami

Basant Panchami celebrates the coming of the Spring season or Basant. It is a very important festival in Uttarakhand state. Basant Panchami makes the season of death and decay, the end of winter and is celebrated in January/February or Magh.

People of the locals of Uttarakhand state dress themselves in yellow clothing, perform Jhumelia and Chounphula dances and fly kites.

They honour and worship the goddess of knowledge, prosperity and land, i.e., goddess Saraswati. The goddess has four hands that symbolize intellect =, ego, mind and alertness.

She is often drawn, sitting on a peacock or lotus and wearing a white dress. To celebrate the festival, men and women from all over parts of the nation cook sweet rice.

Undoubtedly, Basant Panchami is very significant; some celebrate to honour goddess Saraswati, while others celebrate to harvest the onset of Spring.

• Significance: To pay honour to Goddess Saraswati. In some parts of India, people celebrate it as a harvest festival.
• When: January/February
• Basant Panchami 2022: 5th February
• Basant Panchami 2023: 26th January

3. Holi

Holi- the festival of colours, is another main festival of Uttarakhand state celebrated with more warmth in the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand district. The Holi celebration is a five-day festival that begins as early as Basant Panchami.

Unlike the plains, where the burning of a pyre or Holika Dahan is an essential part of Holi celebrations in the state of Uttarakhand, ears of grains are not offered to the holy fire until the crops are not harvested.

It is also called the festival of love or the festival of Spring.

• Significance: According to Hindu Mythology, Holi streaks the victory of good over evil.
  
  
• Key attraction: Folk music is also an integral part of the Holi festival in the state. Baithiki Holi requires the singing of different classical ragas.
  
  Khadi Holi involves the people donning traditional clothes generally seen in rural areas. Mahila Holi includes women singing to all their might.
  
  Locals celebrating the holi festival make aloo gutuk- a fried potato, traditional gujiya and serve it with Himalayan spice known as Jamboo.
• When: In the month of March.
• Holi 2022: The Holi celebrations took place on 19 March 2022
• Holi 2023: It will be on 8 March 2023 next year. 

4. Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is a popular festival celebrated in several states of India, often referred to as solar day in the Hindu calendar. In Uttarakhand state, Makar Sankranti streaks the change of season.

According to Hindu religious texts, the festival marks the day of Uttarayani. It shows that the sun has set foot in the Capricorn, i.e., the zodiac sign of 'makar' from cancer or Kark and has begun moving north.

It has religious and seasonal significance and is one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu Calendar dedicated to Lord Sun.

• Significance:  People on this day worship the sun at sunrise and bathe in rivers. Makar Sankranti also streaks the beginning of a new harvest season and the end of the winter season.
  
  
• Key attraction: Til ke laddoo and khichdi are the famous food items of Makar Sankranti celebrated on 14TH January each year. The Uttarayani fair also takes place during this time.
  
  
• When: On 14th January every year.

5. Phool Dei

Phool Dei/ Fuldei is a famous harvest festival of Uttarakhand state that commemorates the coming of the spring season and the year's harvest. The festival is celebrated on the first of the Chaitra season, either in March or April.

Phool Dei, also known as the Harvest festival, is when the flowers blossom and is followed by the ceremonial pudding known as dei made using flour, curd, gud or jaggery. The dei is an essential part of the festival.

• Key attraction: The young girls are also an essential part of the Phool Dei festival of the state. They go door to door, singing the folk song of the festival along with coconut, rice and jaggery offering.
  
  There is the belief that the young girls bless the homes by placing rice and flowers on the doorsteps. Although, in return, the girls are offered blessings and sweets for their sweet acts.
  
  
• When: In March/April.
  
  
• Phool Dei 2022: It was celebrated on 15 March 2022.

6.  Ganga Dussehra

Ganga Dusshera or Dasar festival is a very significant festival celebrated in Uttarakhand in the month of May-June. Ganga Dussehra is held for ten days and starts on Amavasya night (waxing moon) and ends on Dashmi tithi.

According to Hindu Mythology, the holy river Ganga descended from heaven to earth, for which the Aarti takes place, is held in the popular pilgrimage destination of Rishikesh and Haridwar.

As per the legend, Bhagiratha- one of the descendants of King Sagara, performed austerity to please Lord Brahma to request him to send Ganga on the earth.

After the request of Bhagiratha, Goddess Ganga came on earth and washed down the ashes of Bhagiratha's ancestors to mark the significance of the date; the devotees celebrate Ganga Dussehra.

• Significance: The Ganga Dusshera festival is about cleansing the soul in the sacred river.
  
  
• Key attraction: The earthen lamps are floated in the river in the evening and sing devotional songs.
  
  
• When: May/June
  
  
• Ganga Dussehra 2022: 9th June 2022.

7. Purnagiri Mela

Talking about festivities enjoyed in the Uttarakhand state, the Purnagiri Mela is another much more talked about festival celebrated in the region.

Shri Purnagiri temple organizes the event on the Annapurna Peak above sea level. It is a pleasure to enjoy the Mela with the sparkling view of the ranges.

Purnagiri Mela takes place during the revered and auspicious festival time of Navratri. The sacred and colourful festival commemorates Sati in the state.

The temple where the fair takes place is close to Tanakpur and Tunya. The Purnagiri temple is one of the 108 Siddha Peethas, and thus the pilgrims flock around at the time of Navratri to take blessings from God.

• Significance: The area where Shri Purnagiri temple is settled is now believed to be the place where Vishnu Chakra cut down Savant Prajapati and the navel of Sati.
  
  
• When: during Navaratri
  
  
• Purnagiri Mela 2022: the two-month-long Purnagiri Mela will be celebrated on 18 October 2022.

8. Ghee Sankranti

Ghee Sankranti is celebrated on the first day of Bhadra (the month of August) in the state of Uttarakhand. It is also known as the Olga festival and is the most significant festival celebrated with joy and enthusiasm from time immemorial.

The ancient festival is celebrated when the crops grow well, and the milk-giving animals are healthy. People of Uttarakhand celebrate Ghee Sankranti to mark the harvesting season and show gratitude for prosperity.

The atmosphere is happy and joyous among the people. In ancient times, the nephew and son-in-law of a family give gifts to their maternal uncles and father-in-law, respectively, on Ghee Sankranti. 

• Significance: The Ghee Sankranti festival denotes the gratitude of the families indulged in farming.
  
  
• Key attraction: It is a one-day festival on which the common gifts are exchanged, including metal calliper, datkhocha, Binai, axes, and ghee by the agriculturalist.
  
  Pouring and eating ghee and stuffing chapatis with urad dal is an important festival ritual.
  
  
• When: August/September

9. Hill Jatra

Celebrated in the state of Uttarakhand, Hill Jatra is amongst the traditional festivals especially enjoyed in the Kumaon region of Pithoragarh district.

People associated with farming in Uttarakhand mainly celebrate the festival. Later on, Askot and Kanalichhina regions also accepted the festival with some modifications.

Another belief of the Hill Jatra festival is that Chand Dynasty King Kuru went to Solar to participate in the festival and sacrificed a buffalo in the process.

It is an eight days festival celebrated in the month of Bhadra. The festival also signified the victory of Champawat Rulers.

• Significance: The festival is celebrated in the memory of the victory of Champawat Rulers.
  
  
• Key attraction: A white-clothed deer is worshipped as a regional god during the Hill Jatra. The celebrations of Hill Jatra take place in three-phase.
  
  The first phase involves the sacrifice of a goat, the second phase involves performing dramas, and in the third phase, the dance is performed, and songs are sung.
  
  
• When: In September

10. Kanwar Yatra

The Kanwar Yatra in Uttarakhand state commences in the mid-July period in the Hindu month of Shravan.

Millions of devotees of Lord Shiva called Kanwariya to make a journey to Gaumukh, Gangotri and Haridwar from all parts of the nation.

The devotees chant Bol Bam to collect the water from the Ganga river and then carry it to distribute it to the local temples. It includes the Kashi Vishwanath temple, Pura Mahadev, Augharnath temple, Deoghar and Vaidynath temple.

They also carry the Kanwar on their shoulder and head to Gaumukh, Gangotri and Haridwar and take holy baths in the Ganga river in these sacred places.

Large gatherings and camps can be seen in Gangotri and Haridwar during the yatra, a one-month journey. This year, the Kanwar yatra will begin in the mid-July period.

• Significance: To worship Lord Shiva.
  
  
• Key attraction: The devotees of Lord Shiva carry Kanwar on their shoulders to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The Lord Shiva devotees even observe a fast on Mondays during the Kanwar Yatra in the monsoon month.
  
  
• When: Middle of July/Shravan

11. Uttarayani Mela

The Uttarayani Mela is usually held in the second week of January on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. The fair is held at several places in the Kumaon region.

It includes Hanseswari, Ranibagh and Bageshwar. The Uttarayani Mela in Bageshwar has been the biggest fair in history among these places.

• Significance: It is believed that it is auspicious to take a dip in the river when the sun shifts from the Southern Hemisphere to Northern Hemisphere.
  
  
• Key attraction: People sing and dance to enjoy the Uttarayani Mela, including impressive performances by folk artists as they sing Bairas, Chancharis and Jhoras during the celebration.
  
  Various local products, such as baskets, copper vessels, iron, mats, bamboo, and carpets can be purchased at the Uttarayani Mela.
  
  
• When: 2nd week of January
  
  
• Uttarayani Mela 2022: 14th January 2022

12. Nanda Devi Fair

The Nanda Devi Fair is one of the major festivals celebrated in uttarakhand especially in the Kumaon region. The mela is organized in places like Kot, Bhowali, Bageshwar, Nainital and Almora in September.

Among these places, Almora is where the Mela is mainly held and is often popular as Nanda Devi Mahotsav in the state. It is a seven-day festival that generally happens during the festival of Nandashtmi in September.

According to the legends, Nanda Devi was the family goddess of the Chand Kings. The temple of the Goddess Nanda was built in the 17th century by King Dyot Chand in Almora.

Since that time, the Nanda Devi Mela has been organized every year.

• Significance: To show honour to Goddess Nanda Devi, the family deity of the Chand Kings.
  
  
• Key attraction: People who participate in the fair carry the palanquin of the goddess at her temple. Along with the dance and folk songs, a huge market where locally village crafts are sold can be seen near the Nanda Devi temple.
  
  
• Where: Kumaon Region in Uttarakhand.
  
  
• When: September
  
  
• The Nanda Devi Fair 2022: September 2022

13. Ramman

Raman is a religious festival in the form of theatre in the Garhwal area of Uttarakhand.

It is a unique festival celebrated by 196 families and 1800 people of the Saloon-Dungra in the Chamoli area, regardless of their caste or creed.

On 2 October 2009, the festival was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is celebrated every 13 April a year to honour Lord Ram.

• Significance: To give honour to Lord Rama.
  
  
• Key attraction: The festival is a 500-year-old culture of the village in which the Ramayana is performed in the masked style on the rhythm of dhol and songs, excluding the single dialogues.
  
  
• Where: Saloon-Dungra in Chamoli District in Uttrakhand
  
  
• When: 13 April

14. Harela and Bhitauli Festival

Every season has some festivals among the people of Uttarakhand that are well known properly. The festival streaks the beginning of the monsoon or rainy season.

People of the Kumaon community enjoy the Harel festival in the Shravana month, i.e., July-August. Also, the event celebrates the wedding celebration of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.

At the same time, the Bhitauli festival is celebrated in Chaitra month, i.e., March-April. The festival focuses on planting seeds in the soil, and by the end of the year, the ladies of the village reap the harvest known as Harel.

• Significance: Harel Festival is celebrated to commemorate the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Bhitauli Festival is a sowing festival.
  
  
• Key attraction: During the Harel festival, brothers give gifts to their sisters.
  
  
• Where: Kumaon region in Uttarakhand
  
  
• When: Harel Festival in July/August, Bhitauli Festival in March/April.

15. Syalde Bikhauti Mela

Syalde Bikhauti is an annual fair held in April/ May or in Vaisakh. It is a very significant festival celebrated in the Almora district of Uttrakhand in two different phases.

The first phase includes the Syalde Bikhauti in Vimandeshwar Temple and the second phase in the Dwarahat market. As per the legend, people used to worship in the Sheetla Devi Temple during ancient times.

The Oda is a stone in the temple which has been fixed nearby, and since then, it has been compulsory to strike the stone before going into the fair.

• Significance: In the ancient time, people used to worship the goddess Sheetla Devi during this festival.
  
  
• Where: Almora District in Uttarakhand
  
  
• When: Every year in the month of April/May.
  
  
• Syalde Bikhauti 2022: It is a four-day fair held from 13 April to 16 April 2022.

Frequently-Asked Questions(FAQs)

Q1. What is the main festival of Uttarakhand ?

Kumbh Mela is one of the most popular and biggest festivals of Uttarakhand state, as it has very great importance in getting rid of one's sins by taking dips in the river Ganga.

Q2. What are the seven cultures of Uttarakhand?

The state of Uttarakhand is home to various ethnic groups consisting of their own culture. These groups involve the Raji, Tharu, Buxa, Bhatia and Jaunsari. Often the people of Uttarakhand are known as Paharis.

Q3. What is the popular dance of Uttarakhand?

Choliya is the most popular dance form in Uttarakhand state, a sword dance. It is a thousand-year-old dance form that represents the martial art tradition of the Kumaoni community, usually performed at the local Rajput weddings.

Q4. What is the folk music of the Uttarakhand state?

The folk music used in the state of Uttarakhand includes the mashakbaja, bhankora, thali, Daur, dholki, Ranasinghe, Turri, and dhol damau. Sometimes the harmonium and Tabla are also used from ancient times.

In the recent period, the folk songs of the state have transformed, and global musical and generic Indian instruments have been incorporated.