Uttrakhnad became the proud 27th state of Indiathat comes out from Uttar Pradesh. The state is famous for its great diversity that is evident in the people, culture and festivals of the state. It is also known as Dev Bhoomi because the state is adorned with some of the highly venerated pilgrimage places. Among the Haridwar, Rishikesh, KedarNath, Badrinath are of great reverence. The state is amazingly beautiful and is blessed with abundance of natural beauty. It has some amazing fair and festivals to its credit.
Some of the festivals of Uttarakhand that are celebrated with great joy and fervor are as given below:
Basant Panchami
Celebrated in the spring season Basant Panchami is one of the major festivals of North India. It is generally celebrated in the months of January/ February. During this occasion people worship goddess Saraswati and wear yellow clothes. The festival marks the end of chilly winters in the state and is celebrated in great passion in Uttarakhand.
Bat Savitri Festival
Bat Savitri festival is another very popular festival of Uttarakhand, celebrated with great splendor and Pomp in Uttarakhand. It’s a festival of married women who did for the well being of their husband.
Harela and Bhaitauli
Harela and Bhaitauli are the popular festivals of Uttarakhand are mostly observed on the first day of the Navaratris in the month of Chaitra. On this occasion women fill baskets with soil and sow seven types of grains in them. The germination of grains symbolizes the future harvest. On this festival brothers send presents to their sisters these presents are called as Bhitauli..
Khatarua
The festival is celebrated in the month of September that marks the starting of the autumn season. On this day people bonfires around which the children dance holding colorful flags. People take special care for their animals and feed them with fresh grass. Cucumbers are offered to the fire of Khatarua which according to a legend will destroy all evils.
Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is an amazing festival of Uttarakhnd marks the beginning of the season of change.
Olgia Festival
Celebrated on the first day in the month of August, when the harvest is lush and green and there is abundance of fruits and vegetable all around. In ancient times son in laws and nephews give presents to their father in laws and maternal uncles respectively to celebrate the festival of Olgia. It is one of the prominent festivals of Uttarakhand.
Phool Dei
Phool Dei festival marks the welcoming of spring season. It is celbrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra in the mid of March. Most of the ceremonies of the festival are conducted by the young girls. The festival begins with the praying for general well being and by preparation of special foods. Many artists perform on this occasion and thus increase the priority of the event.
Ganga Dusshera or Dasar
Ganga Dusshera is celebrated on the Shukla Dasami in the months of May - June. The sacred Ganga is worshipped on this day homes and temples are decorated with Dusshera posters known as Dasara which have various geometric designs on them. Earlier on these posters are hand written by Brahmins but now a day these are printed. On this day people take bath in the holy rivers.
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