Phulaich festival - Festival Of Flowers
Posted on June 20, 2008 in Festivals by Chris
Phulaich-The Festival Of Flowers, locally known, as “Ookayand” is an important festival celebrated in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. ”Oo” when translated stands for flowers and “ Kayang” stands for festival. Celebrated from 16th September-23rd September this festival holds a lot of relevance to the natives.
This festival is celebrated grandly on four important days.It is led out with great pomp and gaiety. Each day of the festival is significant and holds lot of relevance.
On the 16th the Rajputs of the village set out on a journey towards a particular mountain to pluck flowers. This mountain is said to contain flowers, whose fragrance is said to intoxicate one greatly. These flowers bloom fully in the month of September and are very beautiful to look at. The heady fragrance keeps the Rajputs awake the whole night and they spend their time singing and dancing and return only the next day.They are back in the district on the 18th.
On the 20th of September the village Deity “Narayan” (Local God) is decorated and taken around in a procession. The deity is beautifully decorated with the fragrant flowers and magnificent robes. Joyful singing and dancing mark the procession. Women, men and children are at their best ,dressed in beautiful colored clothes.
The procession continues till the 23rd of September, and the sacrifice of an animal marks the end of the celebration. The deity is then placed back in the temple.
These are the simple ways in which men and women of the Kinnaur District experience their joy. Remote and far away from the urban land, this is a festival one must witness during their visit or holiday in Himachal Pradesh during the month of September.
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