This Makar Sakranti if you plan to go for a short vacation in this chilling cold then enjoy then Alaya resorts @ Uttarakhand, is the place for you to experience the vibrant ‘Uttarayani’ festival of Devbhoomi with your family.
The famous harvest festival in India has deep cultural variations with different names and reasons. The festival is associated with the idea of the sun moving towards the north. In Devbhoomi, the festival has different names in different regions like: ‘Ghughutiya’ in Kumaon, ‘Khichdi Sankrant’ or ‘Gholdiya’ in the Garhwal, but commonly known as ‘Uttarayani’ all over Uttarakhand.
Common Practice in Uttrakhand
The locals of Uttarakhand, begin their celebration by taking a ceremonial dip in the holy river of Saryu and Gomti Sangam, in Bageshwar, Ranibagh, and Hanseswar, and offer Khichadi in charity.
The super attraction of‘Ghughutiya festival is the sweetmeats which are prepared in Kumaoni and Garhwali households, using sweetened wheat flour. This sweetmeat is transformed to various interesting shapes such as little drums, knives, swords, pomegranates, diamonds, circles, knots, betel leaves, betel nuts, and even cloves. These sweets are called ‘ghughuts’ which are deep-fried into sweets. Then these ghughutees of different shapes are weaved in an edible necklace keeping a small orange in the center.
Next day, the young children of the family after sunrise go to the terrace wearing the edible necklace. They call the kale kauva, by singing the song “Kale kauva kale, ghughuti mala kale”. The kale kauva, are believed to be the ancestors (especially the black crows) and the delicious ghughute mala is offered to them.
Makar Sankrant with Alaya Resort
This is the time for the migratory birds to begin their return journey towards the hills as a sign of season change. So in our village walks you can enjoy the mesmerizing landscape and also celebrate the festival in the famous ‘Uttarayani Melas’ together. The fair which has the weavers and local sellers from all over the state selling handmade blankets, shawls, carpets, bamboo products, and more. Not to miss the celebration meals of aromatic season special khichri with lots of ghee.
Your evenings of Alaya Resort will be often decorated with vibrant ‘Chholiya’ dance which is commonly known as the sword dance. The dance is performed by professional native musicians known as dhollies with instruments like dhol, damau. Earlier the dance was a part of marriage procession however now performed on many auspicious occasions
Alaya Resort’s special Makar Sanskrant package is designed for you to experience the fun and frolick of Uttarayani festival.
