Uttarakhand > Social Practices, Rituals and Festive events

Baranaja

Baranaja (literally meaning twelve grains) is a traditional mixed farming system widespread across wide ranging regions of rainfed Garhwali agriculture, in Uttarakhand.

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Joshimath

Joshimath is a city in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is home to one of the four cardinal pīthas established by Adi Shankara. Joshimath is home to several temples, the most renowed of which is the temple of Narasimha, where Badrinarayan is enshrined along with a pantheon of deities. The presiding deity Lord Narasimha is believed to have been established by Adi Sankara.

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Khatarua

Khatarua is the special festival of pastoral- agricultural Kumaon society in Uttarakhand and is observed annually on the first day of Ashvin, the seventh month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar. The festival honours farm animals and is believed to protect rural livestock from all evil. It heralds the arrival of autumn, the important harvest season for the agriculture dependent community.

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Nanda Devi Raj Jat

Nandadevi Raj Jat is an important religious event of Chamoli district in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. It involves a long trek in order to take the area's reigning deity – Goddess Nanda to her divine destination of Gaungati peak which is believed to be the abode of her consort, Lord Shiva.

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Ramman

Ramman is a form of traditional ritual theatre celebrated every year in the courtyard of the temple of Bhumiyal Devta situated in Saloor Dungra Village in Painkhanda valley of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India.

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