Uttarakhand
 Uttaranchal becomes uttarakhand. The present congress Govt has changed the name of the state. The movement for creating a new hill state was launched and run under the banner of uttarakhand but then BJP lead NDA Govt named it uttaranchal at the time of granting it statehood now the congress Govt. trumming the table has renamed it as uttarakhand.
The mood and the rhythm of the country side changes from one region to another, and from season to season. It is a land of surprises, it is a land of amazing natural beauty that can fascinate even the most seasoned traveller.
A magical sojourn reverberating with age old culture and traditions, the state enfolds in its lap a diverse kaleidoscope of breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating art-de-facts. The range is unparalleled even while it is sophisticated in its simplicity.
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Festivals of Uttarakhand
The festivals of Uttarakhand are very colorful and distinctive and are the blend of various social and cultural factors. The love for color and joyous celebrations of the people of Uttarakhand is well reflected by the elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which they surrender themselves to the numerous festivals of the region. The people of Uttarakhand with much enthusiasm and ebullience celebrate all the major festivals of the nation. The colorful festivals celebrated in the state therefore curb the culture of Uttarakhand out. The festivals of Uttarakhand have contributed to the enrichment of the state.
:: Basant Panchami -This is one of the most important religious festivals of Uttarakhand and celebrates the coming of the spring season. The festive season marks the end of the winters which symbolizes death and decay. It usually falls in the Hindu month of Magh or English months of January/February. During this auspicious occasion the people worship Goddess Saraswati with much veneration. The locals adorn themselves in yellow outfits and some even put yellow `tikas` on their foreheads. This grand festival in some places marks the beginning of Holi baithaks.
:: Bhitauli
Bhitauli -This festival of Uttarakhand is feted in the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar. it falls on the very first day of Shravan and is celebrated with much pomp and show all over the state. It is a grand festival of sharing gifts from the brothers to their sisters. The religious rites and rituals during this festival are celebrated with much veneration.
:: Phool Dei- This is one of the most special festivals of Uttarakhand and is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra in mid March. This special day belongs to the young girls as they are seen conducting most of the ceremonies. The festive celebrations in some regions are observed for the whole month with the advent of the spring. The young girls during this festival goes to the all the houses in the locality with plates consisting of rice, coconut, jaggery, flowers and green leaves and offer their good wishes for the prosperity of the household. They are also given blessings and presents and return. A pudding made of curd, flour and jaggery is a special delicacy of this festival. Spring songs sung during this festival enhance the festive spirit.
:: Ganga Dussehra/Dasar- Ganga Dussehra This festival is celebrated on the Shukla Dasami of the Jyestha month according to the Hindu calendar or the months of May/June according to the English calendar. On this special day the sacred River Ganga is worshipped and Dussehra posters adorn the doors of houses and temples. The hands of the much-honored Brahmins once wrote these posters but now with the progress of time they are available in an assortment of printed designs. On this auspicious day the people of Uttarakhand also bathe in the holy rivers.
:: Hill Yatra-
This is one of the most popular festivals of Uttarakhand and is celebrated with much fervor in some parts of the Pithoragarh district. It can be regarded as a festival of pastoralists and agriculturalists. This festival came from the Sorar region of West Nepal to the Sor valley and was first introduced in the Kumaour village. It is regarded by the locals of Uttarakhand as a living tradition and care should be taken to preserve its style in a rapidly changing society. Animal sacrifices also form an important aspect of this much-awaited festival. Recitation of religious hymns and performance of circle dance also known as `Chanchari` are added attractions.
:: Kumaon Holi- Kumaon Holi This is one of the most unique festivals of Uttarakhand and its uniqueness lies in the fact of it being a musical affair. The festive celebrations begin in the premises of the temples where the professional singers gather to sing traditional lyrics to the accompaniment of the classical music. This festival is known by two different names, Baithki Holi and the Khari Holi. The former one is celebrated with much vigor in the temple premises while the later one is celebrated in the rural areas of Kumaon.
:: Janopunya- This is one of the most important religious festivals of Uttarakhand and the people of Kumaon celebrate the Raksha Bandhan and the Janopunya on the same day. On this special day the people of the state exchange their local threads. The famous Bagwal fair is organized in the region of Devidhura in the district of Champavat. People from all the remotest corners of the state participate in this festival and fair with much fun and excitement.
:: Kandali- Kandali This is one of the most unique festivals of Uttarakhand and the people of the state celebrate this festival when the Kandali flower blooms once in every twelve years, in the months of August and October. The festive celebration spreads over a week and the Shaukas or the Rangs participate in it with much vigor and enthusiasm. This auspicious ceremony commences with the worship of the linga of Lord Shiva made of barley and buckwheat flour mixture. The courtyard of every house is beautifully adorned and the locals perform the puja with much veneration for prosperity and well-being. A procession is also taken out where the woman who leads it is armed with a ril. The cultural performance of the people echoes in the valley thus enhancing the atmosphere of joy. |
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