Festivals of Kumaon

 

 

The main festivals which are either peculiar to Kumaon or are observed with lots of festivity and enthusiasm are given in succeeding paragraphs.


Kumaoni Holi (February - March)

 

The uniqueness of the Kumaoni Holi lies in its being a musical affair, whichever may be its form, be it the Baithki Holi, the Khari Holi or the Mahila Holi. The Baithki Holi and Khari Holi are unique in that the songs on which they are based have touch of melody, fun and spiritualism. These songs are essentially based on classical ragas. No wonder then the Baithki Holi is also known as Nirvan Ki Holi.

The Baithki Holi begins from the premises of temples, where Holiyars (the professional singers of Holi songs) as also the people gather to sing songs to the accompaniment of classical music.Kumaonis are very particular about the time when the songs based on ragas should be sung. For instance, at noon the songs based on Peelu, Bhimpalasi and Sarang ragas are sung while evening is reserved for the songs based on the ragas like Kalyan, Shyamkalyan and Yaman etc. The Khari Holi is mostly celebrated in the rural areas of Kumaon. The songs of the Khari Holi are sung by the people, who sporting traditional white churidar payajama and kurta, dance in groups to the tune of ethnic musical instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harela and Bhitauli (July - August)

On the first day of the navaratris (nine day holy period) of the month of Chaitra women fill baskets with soil and sow seven types of grains in them. The grains germinate symbolizing the future harvest. These yellow leaves, called Harela, are cut on the tenth day and people put them on their heads and behind their ears. During the month of Chaitra (March-April) brothers send presents to their sisters and parents to their daughters. These presents are called Bhitauli.
However, the more popular Harela is the one that is celebrated in the month of Shravan to commemorate the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati and to welcome the rainy season and the new harvest. On this day people make Dikaras or clay statues of Gauri, Maheshwar, Ganesh etc. and worship them. Even the overworked bullocks are given a rest on the occasion of Harela. People put the blades of freshly cut Harela on their heads and send them to their relatives and friends as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bat Savitri

This festival is celebrated on the Krishna amavasya (last day of the dark half of the month) of Jyestha and on the day married women worship Savitri and the Bat or banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) and pray for the well being of their spouses. Women observe fast in honour of Savitri and Satyavan and remember how Savitri through her intense devotion saved her husband from the claws of death.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janopunyu ( Rakhee) ( July -August)

The people of Kumaon celebrate Raksha Bandhan and Janopunyu, the day on which people change their janeu (sacred thread). On this day the famous Bagwal fair is held at Devidhura in district Champawat.

 

 

Ganga Dusshera or Dasar

Ganga Dusshera is celebrated on the Shukla dasami of the Jyestha (May - June). The sacred Ganga is worshipped on this day and Dusshera posters (dwarpatras or dasars), which have various geometric designs on them, are put up on the doors of houses and temples. These posters, once hand written by brahmins, are now printed. On this day people bathe in the holy rivers.

Basant Panchami

The festival of Basant Panchami celebrates the coming of the spring season. This festival, which also signals the end of winter, is generally celebrated during Magh (January - February). During this festival people worship the Goddess Saraswati, use yellow handkerchiefs or even yellow cloths and in a few places people put a yellow tilak on their foreheads. This festival also marks the beginning of holi baithaks.

Kojagar Purnima ( Minor Diwali)

This festival is observed as a minor Diwali on the full moon day in September- October month. Worship of Goddess Luxmi takes place at night and diwali lamps are also lit.

Vijaya Dasmi also Called Dasaain

The tenth day of the bright half of September - October is called DASAAIN in Kumaon. It is the main festival of Kumaon and is celebrated all over with lots of gusto and enthusiasm. Harela is offered to Gods and Goddesses and then later applied to other members of the family. A bright red TILAK is applied to the forehead.

Khatarwa

Children celebrate this festival with lots of enthusiasm. They collect fire wood and burn it like on Holi day. They also make a cloth dummy at the end of a stick and beat him. This denotes the Victory of Kumaon over Garwhal and the death of a cruel General from Garwhal called SARDAR KHATAR SINGH

 

Literacy Rate

A key factor going in Uttaranchal’s favour in attracting services and industrial investments is its significantly high level of literacy.The overall rate of literacy in the state is 72.3 per cent. This endows it with large pool of educated labour that industry can draw from. Importantly, the spread of high level of literacy is even across the rural and urban sectors with the respective literacy rate of 68.5 and 81.5 per cent.The total school enrollment ratio for Uttaranchal for the age group of 6-17 was at 87 per cent, significantly higher than the all India ratio of 72 per cent.