Phooldeyi or Phooldeli (Approx.14th March),

It is celebrated in the months of March/April. On the occasion of Phooldei, young girls put the first flowers of the season on the entrance or threshold of every house in the village, for good luck throughout the year. This is a big example of how communities are closely bonded and linked in the hills of Kumaon as no one puts these flowers in front of their own houses alone.


Bikhauti (Approx 14 April),

On the first of the navaratris (nine day fasting period) in the month of Chaitra, women sow seven types of grains. The germination of these grains symbolizes the future harvest. On the tenth day, the yellow leaves, called Harela, are cut people put them on their heads and tuck them behind their ears. During this very month of Chaitra (March-April) brothers send gifts for their sisters. These presents are called ‘Bikhauti’

Hariyala (Approx 16th July),

Celebrated in the month of Shravan (July- august), the month of festivals, to commemorate the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the festival is also associated with the arrival of the rainy season and the new harvest. On this day people make clay statues (Dikaras) of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh etc. and worship them. The overworked bullocks find a rare a rest on the occasion of Harela.


Gheeya Sankranti or Olgia (Approx 16th Aug),

Olgia is celebrated on the first day of Bhado (middle of August), when the harvest is lush and green, vegetables are in abundance and the milch animals very productive. In ancient times sons-in-law and nephews would give presents to fathers-in-law and maternal uncles, respectively, in order to celebrate Olgia. Today agriculturists and artisans give presents to the owners of their land and purchasers of their tools and receive gifts and money in return. Binai (oral harp), datkhocha (metallic tooth pick), metal calipers, axes, ghee, vegetables and firewood are some of the presents exchanged on this day. People put ghee on their foreheads and eat ghee and chapatis stuffed with 'urad' dal. It is believed that walnuts sweeten after this festival. This festival, which is a celebration of the produce of the land, is now seldom celebrated.


Uttarani or Kale Kaua (Approx 14 January),

Held on gigantic scales, the fair is held simultaneously at a number of places like Nainital, Bageshwar, Rameshwar, Salt Mahadev, Chitrashila (Ranibagh), Pancheshwar among others on the auspicious day of Uttarayani. The Dola of Chaumu is brought down to the temple at Pancheshwar. The festival of Uttarayani holds a special place in the culture of Uttarakhand, in general, and Kumaon, in particular.

Basant Panchami, Samvastar Pareva

Celebrated to commemorate the coming of the spring season and, also, the end of winter, Basant Panchmi is generally celebrated during the traditional month of Magh (January - February). People worship Goddess Saraswati, use yellow clothes or handkerchiefs and, in a few places, people put a yellow tilak on their foreheads. With this festival, the extremely popular holi baithaks also begin.