Sangla: The Kinnaur administration organised a three-day ‘Ukhyang’ (Flower Celebration) festival in the Sangla Valley to promote tourism and local culture.
On the 8th of October, the festival officially began, showcasing the rich culture of Kinnaur.
A Kinnaur food festival was also held at the event, where visitors may sample traditional Kinnauri cuisine. Aside from encouraging tourism in the region, the festival provided an excellent opportunity for local producers to market their products directly to purchasers. Kissan Mela was also held at the event by the Agriculture University of Palampur.it will be best advice to leave Resorts in Dharamshala.
Kinnaur, the Devbhoomi, is a Himachal district that has been endowed with divine beauty by God. Kinnaur is nestled between the Dhauladhar and Zanskar mountain ranges.
Its rocky landscape is traversed by the massive Sutlej and Baspa rivers. The majority of the Kinnaur region has lovely architecture, with fantastic wooden buildings that last for hundreds of years and are a great option for people who have to spend the majority of their time in snow or cold weather. Beautiful deodar wood carvings may be found in their temples and monasteries. It is one of India’s most pure and unspoiled regions. It is on every traveler’s must-see list because it is located in the east of Himachal Pradesh. Resorts in Dharamshala are very beautiful.
Location
Kinnaur is a Himachal Pradesh tribal district on the state’s northeastern border. It runs parallel to Tibet’s international boundary. It is around 235 kilometres from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh’s capital, and is located on the Hindustan-Tibet Road. At Shipki La Pass, the highway enters Tibet.
Three mountain ranges, Zanskar, Greater Himalayas, and Dhauladhar, round the catchment region of the Sutlej, Spiti, Baspa, and their tributaries in the valleys. Outsiders and tourists were not permitted to enter the region because of its proximity to the international border. In 1989, the prohibition was repealed.
Fair Phulaich
The Phulaich is a well-known Himachal Pradesh celebration. The month of September is dedicated to planning a great celebration. The Phulaich festival is also known as Himachal Pradesh Ookayand and Ukyam. The Phulaich festival officially begins on the 16th day of the Hindu month of ‘Bhadrapada.’ The gorgeous and enchanting land’s residents refer to it as the Festival of Flowers(Ukhyang). This is the joyful season, when the entire valley is carpeted in flowers.
This thrilling and lively celebration is also held to remember those who have passed away. Wine, rice, and other refreshments are presented to the deceased. Food is afterwards distributed to the poor. Everyone in the community seems to be in a cheerful spirit. Tourists and holidaymakers throng the area during the Festival of Flowers(Ukhyang), taking part in a variety of activities. Resort in Dharamshala are very good to stay and also near to the Festival of Flowers(Ukhyang).
After the first ritual, the Natives gather to pay their respects to the Dhangaspa family members at their home. Drums and bugles are played to welcome and salute the brave team that went to the top of the hill to collect the flowers.
On the 20th of the month, there is a procession surrounded by gold and silver idols of the gods, which is a popular attraction. During the festival days, the villagers dance and celebrate the celebration under the trees. They’re decked out in bright outfits. On the 23rd day of the Bhadrapada, all the deities are returned to their original habitation (temple). Sacrifices of goats and lambs are extremely prevalent. This brings the Festival of Flowers(Ukhyang) action to a close.
Phulaich Fair’s History
Ten Rajputs walked uphill on that specific day to select some of the beautiful and outstanding flowers. They had spent the entire day, as well as the following day, on the lovely hill of bright flowers. The Rajputs returned with a variety of flowers and fragrances. The lovely scent was really appealing. Those who were exposed to the scent for the first time were happy and excited. Villagers who visited the forests
known for these delicious and aromatic flowers fell in love with the fascinating location and the scent of the growing blooms all around them. The Festival of Flowers(Ukhyang) is near Resorts in Dharamshala.
The cosmos was fascinating, and it had the ability to engross both the mind and the spirit. Under the deodar trees, all of the residents dance and celebrate the 18th night with dynamic music. This meticulous Himachal Pradesh celebration will last for a week.
The Phulaich Festival of Flowers(Ukhyang) commemorated the peasants’ return. The festival’s main attraction and feature is the variety and beauty of the blooming wildflowers.
The Flower Collectors
At least one person from each household in a village goes to the hilltop to collect the flowers, according to tradition.
They leave with a village deity sign, some food, and phasar, or country whiskey. The villagers’ women and elders can see them off in the distance. The women said their goodbyes while singing Fulaich melodies.
People stop making noise beyond a certain point out of fear of the goddess Kali’s anger, and to avoid disturbing the goddess in her woodland residence. The goddess is then presented with offerings, including booze, by one of the flower gatherers. Following that, flower plucking begins, with the first flower being handed to the goddess as a mark of reverence. Udarbo or caverns are where the flowers are deposited.
Flower gatherers leave the next morning after spending a night in caverns without looking back, as this would offend the goddess. They chopped a branch of a tree and arranged flowers on the outskirts of the settlement. People decorate their cavaliers with flowers at home. Resorts in Palampur are very good and you would feel like home over there.
Flower offerings to the Deity
The oracle of Mahasu deity, who awaits the flower gatherers in the caves, sacrifices a goat in Kamru hamlet to worship the mountain spirits and goddess Kali. The party then makes their way to the village, chanting Ukhyang songs along the way. Praduman, Lord Krishna’s grandson, fell in love with Usha, the daughter of Banasur, the demon king. Banasur objected to the agreement and was killed in the ensuing war, leaving Praduman to establish the kingdom of Kamru. Usha is revered as a divinity in several areas.
The gold statue of goddess Chandrika is transported on a palanquin in Kothi hamlet, swaying to the rhythms of drums and trumpets. The wood carving and silver-coated doors of the goddess’s shrine in the village are noteworthy.
The following morning, all of the villagers congregate at the designated location. A goat is sacrificed as an offering to the deity Kali and Mount Kailash on behalf of the entire community during the Mela or Fairground, where the local deity is carried in procession. The exile of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata is related with the Kailash. Human sacrifice was a common practise in ancient times. The deity’s Oracle, or the Groksh, then chooses two flower gatherers to bring the flora.
The Oracle receives the bouquets brought from the caves, and a tiny goat is sacrificed once more. The Groksh then distributes the flowers to a small group of individuals who have gathered around him. Until a few decades ago, the first person to receive the flowers was the King of the defunct Bushahr state. After that, the Groksh provides predictions regarding crops, weather, seasons, and so on. The flowers are then carried home by the peasants and attached to their headgear.
Final thoughts
With its unique combination of creativity and creation, the International Flower Festival is sure to delight, astound, and inspire visitors. The festival attracts India’s top floral and landscape designers, who have created a name for themselves in their areas thanks to their creativity and skill. It’s the ideal family outing for people of all ages. Allow yourself to be awestruck by India’s natural beauty and scenery, which set it apart from the rest of the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Flower Festival?
The Flower Festival was established primarily to recognise sikkim flower sector. Flowers are considered as a compliment to women, fertility, and life itself, as well as flowers themselves.