Festivals of Uttarakhand :

Like other parts of India, the people of Uttarakhand too celebrate a number of festivals all the year round. Since most of the population resides in rural areas, many festivals are related to the land and soil. These festivals promote bonding between the residents of the hills and preserve the local folk art and culture. When transport facilities were not available in the past, these festivals played an important role in family gatherings. Some of the festivals of Uttarakhand are :

Kandli Festivals :

Festivals like Kandali have a special significance. It is celebrated by the Bhotiya tribe of the Pithoragarh, which coincides with the blooming of the Kandali plant, which flowers once every twelve years between August and October. Kandali last blossomed in 1999 and next celebration will be held in 2011. Chhipla Jaat on the other hand, has people undertaking a five day barefoot journey every three years to Chhipla Kedar as a means to express different aspects of human faith.

 Basant Panchami :

A festival not only gives a welcome break but also adds colors to our life. Basant Panchami is the festival celebrating spring season which comes accompanied by a huge variety of flowers presenting a riot of colors to the environment.
 

Ganga Dussehra :

Ganga Dusshera is celebrated in Uttarakhand with lot of enthusiasm. This festival starts on the tenth day of Jaishtha (May-June) according to the Hindu calendar. It begins on the Amavasya night (dark moon night) and continues till Dashami tithi or the tenth phase of the moon.

Makar Sankranti :

Sankranti or Sankrant is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘to move’ and usually symbolizes a harvest festival not only in India but in many South-East Asian countries as well. Makar Sankranti is one of the major festivals of the Indian subcontinent.

Phool Dei :

The land of Uttarakhand is known for numerous fairs and festivals. All the festivals celebrated here have an immense deal of ceremonial grace and magnificence. Both the festivals of Phool Dei and Olgia/ Ghee Sankranti have a relation with nature.

Bhaitauli and also Harela :

Harela is a festival that marks the beginning of the rainy season or monsoon. People belonging to the Kumaon community celebrate this festival during the month of Shravana, i.e., July-August. Mythological, this event celebrates the wedding celebration of Lord Shiva and Parvati. People make small idols or dikars of gods like Maheshwar, Ganesh. This festival is adhered to by another, Bhaitauli which is celebrated in the month of Chaitra, i.e., March- April. It focuses on farming where ladies plant seeds in the soil and also by the end of the festival they reap the harvest which is called harela. This gives them the possibility to test the quality of their seeds. During this festival, brothers also provide gifts for their sisters.
 
Ramman :

Ramman, a religious festival in the form of the theater is featured on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is renowned exclusively in the Garhwal Area of Uttarakhand at the twin towns of Saloor-Dungra in Chamoli area. The unique festivities are a significant form of heritage of only 196 families, 1800 peoples of the charming villages without worrying about caste and creed.
 
The state has a varied and vibrant culture as it is home to people of different ethnic groups, tribal communities, and even immigrants.Right here, people speak numerous languages like Hindi, Bhotia, Garhwali, Kumaoni, wear different traditional dresses as well as likewise celebrate various festivals in Uttarakhand. The ideas and practices of the Garhwali as well as Kumaoni people are a significant for their life and also ascertain their identity.
 In Uttarakhand, people welcome each season with a grateful heart and organize several large scale festivals around the state. Fairs and festivals in Uttarakhand are a way of life, the people of the state equally rejoice for small and big accomplishment, always paying respect to nature's abundance and nurturing the bond of unconditional love amongst each other.