Why this village in Uttarakhand celebrates Holi, but with butter! Credit: iStock
For all passionate (and novice) hikers, Dayara Bugyal Walk It’s an easy bucket list destination. One of the most beautiful alpine meadows in India, Dayara Bugyal (bugyal translates as alpine meadow), located in UttarakhandUttarkashi, at an altitude of 10,000 feet, can be reached by a meandering trek from the villages of Barsu or Raithal. But getting exercise and enjoying the panoramic views is not what we are concerned with in this meadow today.
While the trek up Dayara Bugyal makes it relatively popular among travellers, there is another reason why you might consider going here. Every year in August, it celebrates its own version of Holi – with butter! The inhabitants of Raithal, a small hamlet 5 km away from this verdant bugyal, worship the Grassland Goddess, or Bugyal Mata as she is locally revered, and celebrate Makhan Holi (also called the Anduri festival) with pomp and gaiety.
Unlike the vibrancy and bustle of traditional Holi celebrations in North India, the Butter Holi of Dayara Bugyal is a more intimate affair, imbued with a sense of gratitude and community. The villagers of Raithal, who take their cattle to graze on the pristine grasslands of Dayara Bugyal, believe that Lord Krishna and Bugyal Mata watch over their cattle. Thus, this festival is a way of offering their gratitude to nature for the abundant grazing land that sustains their cattle. While earlier played with cow dung, the festival has evolved over the years to include butter, alluding to Lord Krishna’s affinity for butter, which he would also steal from neighbouring houses.
The festival is celebrated every year on Bhadon Sankranti and takes place between 16th and 18th August. This year, the date of the festival was 17th August. Over 500 villagers descend on the bugyal and celebrate the festival by smearing butter and buttermilk on each other. Along with locals from other villages, the festivities are marked by Dhol-Damau, and elaborate skits on the life of Lord Krishna, performed by costumed locals.
There was a time when Andhuri Holi was a low-key affair, restricted to local villagers and shepherds. However, over the years, with the involvement of the local tourism department, it has become a major celebration in the Garhwal Himalayas. A fair is also organised in the area, where the popular Dahi-Handi is also celebrated, along with traditional dance performances.
How to reach Dayara Bugyal
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, which is 225 km away.
The nearest railway station is Dehradun, which is 91 km away.
The nearest major city is Uttarkashi, which is 38 km away.
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