garhwal's tradition

Bhu-Kanoon is a term translating "land law". It refers to the laws and regulations related to land ownership, use, and transfer in India. These laws govern issues such as land acquisition, land rights, land distribution and land disputes. The Bhu-Kanoon includes various acts and regulations enacted by the government to regulate land-related matters in the country. The Bhoo-Adhikar Abhiyan, also known as the Bhu Kanoon Andolan, was first applied in India in the state of Bihar in 1955. This movement fought for the rights of landless farmers and tenants by demanding land reforms and better land distribution policies. In Uttarakhand, the following measures were taken to ensure the application of the Bhumi Adhikar (Land Rights) Act, also known as the Bhoo Kanoon: 1. Awareness campaigns: Various awareness campaigns were organized to educate people about their rights and responsibilities under the Bhoo Kanoon. 2. Training programs: Training programs were conducted for government off...

Lansdowne is a hill station in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. It was founded as a military garrison under the British Raj, and the Garhwali Museum traces the history of the Garhwal Rifles regiment, which still trains in the town. Close to colonial-era St. Mary’s Church, Tip-n-Top viewpoint is perched up on a ridge overlooking forested hills. Hindu devotees worship Shiva at the centuries-old Kaleshwar Temple. Originally known as Kaludanda after Kalu (Black) and Danda (hills) in Garhwali, Lansdowne was founded and named after then Viceroy of India (1888-1894), Lord Lansdowne in 1887, and by 1901 it had a population of 3943. Lansdowne was developed by the British for catering for the Recruits Training center of the Garhwal Rifles. Lansdowne was a major place of the activities of freedom fighters from British Garhwal during British period. Nowadays, the famous Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army has its regimental center here. This is one of the quietest hill stations of India and is...

 According to the Hindu religious texts, on the day of Uttarayani, the sun enters the Zodiacal sign of 'Makar' (Capricon) from the Zodiacal sign of the Kark (Cancer), i.e. from this day onwards the sun becomes 'Uttarayan' or it starts moving to the north. It is said that from this day, which signals a change of season, the migratory birds start returning to the hills. On Makar Sankranti people give Khichadi (a mixture of pulses and rice) in charity, take ceremonial dips in holy rivers, participate in the Uttarayani fairs and celebrate the festival of Ghughutia or Kale Kauva. During the festival of Kale Kauva (literal translation 'black crow') people make sweetmeats out of sweetened flour (flour and gur) deep fried in ghee, shape them like drums, pomegranates, knives, swords etc. They are strung togather and worn as necklace-in the middle of which an oragne in fixed. Early in the morning children wear these necklaces and sing "Kale Kauva.." to attract c...

 Ramman is a religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal region in India. It is a festival of the Garhwali People in the Saloor Dungra village of the Painkhanda Valley in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, India. The festival and the eponymous art form are conducted as an offering to the village deity, Bhumiyal Devta, in the courtyard of the village temple. The Ramman is unique to the village and is neither replicated nor performed anywhere else in the Himalayan region. The guardian deity of Saloor Dungra is Bhumichetrapal, also known as Bhumiyal Devta. The festival is held in her honour every year after Baisakhi, a harvest festival that also marks the beginning of the Hindu Solar New Year. On the day of Baisakhi, the village priest announces the date for the Ramman festival which falls on the ninth or the eleventh day after Baisakhi. The Bhumiyal Devta comes out in a procession to the temple on the day of Baisakhi. The second day, people offer hariyali (sprouted barley ...

We had a collective 5 days pooja in our village (Nail). Ever since I can remember, it was the first such event. This pooja started on 19 April 2022 and lasted on 23 April 2022. In our village, it was pran pratistha of lord shiva's temple.  We had this great opportunity to see many people of our village. Many married daughters and sisters came and participated actively in this pooja. Lunch and dinner were made by the cook (halwai). The pooja started in the morning around 08:00 am, and it lasted till noon. Around 01:00 pm, we had our lunch on a big lawn, where we all were served by our brothers and uncles. From 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm, it was the resting time for people, where they could go to graze their cattle. From 04:00 pm, musical kirtan started and it lasted till 06:00 pm. Meanwhile, others used to help the cook, and entertain their brother-in-laws.  It was a good time in our village, where magnificence is just like heaven. Around 08:15 pm , we had our dinner. Even without ga...

 Bikhoti is a festival celebrated in Uttarakhand. It is a festival related to the harvesting of the rice crop. In Uttarakhand, this festival is celebrated by having a holy dip in the Ganga River and making some dishes and sweets.  This festival marks the end of the fooldei festival. On this day, the baskets of all the children are worshipped and they are given rice, jaggery, etc., and yes!! money also. From this day onwards the "Baisakh" month starts. So,  Happy Bikhoti to all...  Stay home and stay safe.  Do read, comment and subscribe my blog. 

Chaitra Navratri, also known as Vasant Navratri, is devoted to Goddess Durga. It usually falls in March or April and marks the first day of the Hindu calendar. This year, Chaitra Navratri will begin on April 2, Saturday, and ends on April 11, Monday. Temples and religious places are decorated during the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri for devotees to come and offer their prayers. Additionally, people abstain from drinking alcohol, eating non-veg and consuming onion and garlic during these nine days. Chaitra Navratri, the much-awaited nine days of fasting and worshipping nine avatars of Maa Durga, will be observed from April 2 to April 11 this year. The festival concludes on the ninth day which is called Ram Navami and is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Rama on earth. This year Ram Navami muhurat will begin from 1:32 am, April 10 and will end on 3:15 am, April 11. Navratri is celebrated twice in a year. While Chaitra Navratri falls in the month of March or April, Sharadiya ...

 A colourful festival made more colourful with distinct folk songs and music, Uttarakhand Holi marks the state's rich culture and a specific style to do things differently. This festival is related with Lord krishna and radha, and it is believed that they play holi together.  It is the colourful festival which knits people together, Holi. This traditional festival of colours is celebrated to welcome spring and to value good over evil. When in Uttarakhand around the time of Holi, you should without a doubt be a part of the Kumaoni Holi as the festival celebrates the joy of togetherness, culture, and colours that add more meaning and happiness.This vibrant festival is extravagantly roistered over a period of two months in Kumaon. One can witness the sowing season flourish and make its place in Uttarakhand and that's the reason why the festival is essential for the people residing here especially the ones related to the agriculture sector. The unique traditions of Kumaon can be w...

  Traditional harvest festival Phool Dei was celebrated with much fervour in Uttarakhand on Sunday. The festival is celebrated annually on the first day of the Hindu month Chaitra to mark the onset of spring. According to the tradition of the festival, children, especially young girls, collect flowers from nearby area or forest and go door to door to shower them on doorsteps wishing prosperity to the households. In return, the kids are given presents including sweets and cash.  Phooldei is a joyous occasion and celebrations continue for an entire month. However, the first day is the most significant.  While showering flowers at door steps, kids sing songs LIKE PHOOL DEI, CHAMMA DEI DENO DWAR, BHUR BHAKAR VO DEI SEI NAMASHKAR, PUJE DWAR.  Besides flowers, children also keep green leaves, jaggery, coconut and rice grains in their baskets that are made from RINGAL{hill bamboo}.  So,  Stay home and stay safe.  Do read, comment and subscribe my blog. 

 Spring season has begun across the country. As the weather warms up and the biting cold winters give way to the breezy summers, there are a number of festivals lined up as per the Hindu calendar. The first one, Basant Panchami, marks the onset of spring and brings an end to the winter season. This is closely followed by Mahashivratri or 'the Great Night of Shiva'. Mahashivratri this year falls on 1st March and will be celebrated by devotees with much fervour and aplomb. Here is all you need to know about this festival's customs and significance, along with some vrat-friendly recipes that you can make on this auspicious day. Mahashivratri falls on the 13th or 14th day in the month of Phalgun as per the Hindu calendar. There are many legends associated with why Mahashivratri is celebrated. One suggests that it marks the day when Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati, while another says that it was the night that Shiva performed the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and d...

Basant Panchami is a festival celebrated in Uttarakhand to welcome the season of spring. The winter weary soul cheers the arrival of sweet spring when the flowers bloom, the birds sing, the splendid sun beams and cold no longer stings. Basant Panchami is also referred to as Sripanchami. On the occasion of Basant Panchami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. According to Hindu religion she is the goddesses of learning and music. She is highly revered and respected and people seek her blessings by praying to her. They want her to grant them the wealth of knowledge. Yellow is considered her favorite color. On this day, everyone uses yellow cloth, yellow handkerchiefs and put a yellow tilak on their foreheads. They even clad themselves in yellow. The sight of all the people adorned in clothes of such a bright color is wonderful. On this day, the young particularly rejoice. They participate in unrestrained merry making. Kesar Halva, a sweet dish which is also yellow in color is enjoyed avidly ...

This tomato chutney is made in Garhwal and especially in my home. My grandmother makes delicious tomato chutney. Instructions to make this chutney are in the video itself. Do make this and comment how you feel about this recipe. So,  Stay home and stay safe.  Do read, comment and subscribe my blog. 

 This year in uttrakhand, in some places, snowfall is occurring, and in some places there is clear weather with some clouds. As far as my village is concerned, there is sunshine in the noon and cold weather in the evening. So,  Stay home and stay safe.  Do read, comment and subscribe my blog. 

 Diwali or Deepavali is one of the biggest and auspicious festivals celebrated by Hindus all around the globe. The festival of lights signifies peace and joy, the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness every day. It is one of the most symbolic Hindu festivals, and all the communities in the country celebrate it with much pomp. During this festival, people clean their homes, decorate every corner with lights, lamps, diyas, flowers, rangoli, and candles. Families also perform Lakshmi Puja and pray to the Goddess of wealth to bless them with health, wealth, and prosperity. The Five Days of Diwali Diwali is a five-day festival that straddles the new moon. Though widely celebrated across all of India, the days may have different names and have additional meanings in some parts of India, there is enough commonality to briefly describe each of the days: Dhanteras Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day festivities of Diwali. On this day, it is customary for people to cl...

 Vijayadashami, also known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin, the seventh month of the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. Vijayadashami is observed for different reasons and celebrated differently in various parts of the Indian subcontinent.In the southern, eastern, northeastern, and some northern states of India, Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma. In the northern, central and western states, the festival is synonymously called Dussehra (also spelled Dasara, Dashahara). In these regions, it marks the end of Ramlila and remembers god Rama's victory over Ravana. On the very same occasion, Arjuna alone decimated more than a million soldiers and defeated all Kuru warriors ...

Himalayan Films is a first registered leading musical Company in Uttarakhand. The company is owned by a New Zealand based businessman- Ravindra Lakhera and renowned folk Singer- Narendra Singh Negi. The company aims to work for preservation and conservation of rich hill folk music and dance. Himalayan Films also intends to promote local talent. The focus is to nurture rich cultural heritage, tourism and hospitality of Uttarakhand Himalayas. Purpose: Nurturing rich and varied cultural heritage of Uttarakhand Himalayas. Preserving and promoting traditional folk music and dance. Making films, musical Albums and documentaries reflecting regional issues. Reviving ancient music instruments Dhol-Damau and its players. Promoting popular and nutritious food of Himalayas region. Work : To explore and promote Uttrakhandi folklore. To revive the dying regional languages and traditions. To provide right platform to local talented youth. To produce films in regional languages - Garhwali, Kumauni ...

The Hilljatra, which is being celebrated in some parts of Pithoragarh districts, is essentially the festival of pastoralists and agriculturalists. In the developmental process, the aathon (eight day of bhado) and Gawra Visarjan also became the part of Hilljatra . The festival, which basically came to the valley from the Sorar ( Mahakali ) region of West Nepal, was first introduced in Kumor village, Pithoragarh . The Jatra was also accepted by the people of Bajethi, another village near Pithoragarh town and with some modification it was introduced in Kanalichhina and Askot regions as Hiran chital . The Hilljatra is related to ropai ( the plantation of paddy ) and other agricultural and pastoral labours of the rainy season ( Hill = mud, Jatra = Jaat ). It has also been connected with the victory of the Champawat ruler. So,  Stay home, stay safe and healthy.  Do read, comment and subscribe my blog. 

 Radhashtami is a Hindu holy day commemorating the birth anniversary of the goddess Radha, consort of the god Krishna. It is celebrated mainly by devotees of Krishna, especially with great fervor in her birthplace of Barsana, on the Shukla Paksha Ashtami of the Bhadra (Hindu calendar) month.The festival suggests that Radha is very much an aspect of the cultural-religious faith system governing social life. In the Viṣṇu Khaṇḍa of the Skanda Purana, it is mentioned that God Krishna had 16,000 friends called Gopi and gopikas, out of which Radha was the most prominent one of the revered 108. The Radharani was born on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha ashtami) in the month of Bhadrapada month, Anuradha Nakshatra, 12 noon and As per the Gregorian calendar, 23 September 3221 BC - Wednesday at Barsana (Rawal), Uttar Pradesh, India. Goddess Radha was found on the golden lotus in the pond by king Vrishbhanu and his wife Keerti. As per folktales, Radha did not open ...

Aanand umang bhayo,  Jai ho nand lal ki.  Nand ke aanand bhayo,  Jai kanhaiya lal ki.  Braj main aanand bhayo, Jai yashoda lal ki.  Hathi ghoda paalki,  Jai kanhaiya lal ki.  Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the supreme godhead of all gods including Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. It is observed according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Bhadrapada, which overlaps with August or September of the Gregorian calendar. Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival Nandotsav, which celebrates the occasion when Nanda Baba distributed gifts to the community in honor of the birth. In garhwal, kirtans are done by the women and vrat is done by the people.  So,  Enjoy Janmashtami!!  Stay home, stay safe and healthy.  Do read, comment and subscribe my blog. 

 Raksha bandhan is a pious Indian festival of brother and sister. In this festival all the sisters tie a colorful thread {mainly of yellow and red}. Now there are various types of rakhis available like the one with flower or with cartoon characters. So, HAPPY RAKSHA BANDHAN TO ALL!! So. Stay home,stay safe and enjoy your day.!