The heritage, environment, festivals, language and inhabitants are a few factors on which the culture of a place depends and Uttarakhand has all these in glut. In fact, it is an amalgamation of things, which every traveller would love to explore again and again. Whether you talk about its colourful festivals, vibrant fairs, peaceful music or dazzling dance forms, your eyes will find all. Any trip to this serene place will be savourless unless you explore the incredible culture of this place.
Let’s have a look at different faces of the culture of Uttarakhand:
Music and Dance
If the dancing style and music of any place are copious, it automatically highlights the cultural heritage of that particular place. The same goes beautifully with Uttarakhand wherein music and dance is integrated in every nook and cranny. The folk music is mainly connected to several colourful festivities, folk stories and religious rituals. Thadya, Mandals, Jhoda and Panwaras are some of the well-known folk songs of this place. On the other side, Damoun, Dholki, Thali, Turri and Bhankora are popular musical instruments that are used during the show.
Ethnicity
Uttarakhand is a wonderful fusion of Shauka, Tolcha, Tharu, Marcha, Raji, Bhotia, tribes and so forth. As per Anthropology, Uttarakhand has human beings from prehistoric races like Nordic, Dravidian, Mongoloid and Proto-Australoid. Uttarakhand is divided into five groups of people, which give you a clear idea about the ethnicity of the state. Jaunsari is the first group, which has a distinctive style of dressing and unique cultural celebration. Bhotia usually stay in high elevations of Himalayas and segregated into many small groups.
Languages
Garhwali and Kumaoni are the two main languages of the state. Garhwali dialect is primarily a hilly language, which is derived from Hindi. On the other side, Kumaoni language is mainly used in Northern Nainital, South-east Kumaoni, Almora and Pithoragarh. However, these languages are losing out their base rapidly and becoming ‘out of vogue’.
Fairs and Festivals
People of Uttarakhand commemorate a variety of regional, national and religious festivals. By partaking at these festivals and fairs, you’ll be able to gain a keen insight into the ancient traditions and customs. Even the small parishes of the state proffer something extraordinary in terms of traditional and cultural richness. During your trip to Devbhoomi, you can participate in some vivid festivities like Durgotsav, Phooldei, Bhitauli, Dikar Puja, Batsavitri, Khatarua and Ghughutia and witness the cultural profusion of the state at its best.
Cuisine
Food habits differ across the length and breadth of the quaint state. Villages that are situated at a high elevation hardly have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, so sundried meat has become an important part of diet, together with concocted liquor to keep cold at bay. Sumptuous quantity of ghee is used while preparing dishes as people can easily afford it.
Popular dishes include Kafuli, which is cooked with spinach, Rars (a mixture of dals), Chainsoo (a dish of black gram dal), and local breads are like gahat k paranthe, mandua ki roti, and vegetable filled chapattis are undoubtedly the tempting ones. Next comes to sweets. Popular sweets include Bal methai, Singhodi (which is made from khoya and dried coconut, and covered in aromatic leaf).
Final Words…
The state of Uttarakhand has been catching the fancy of tourists due to its natural splendour, holy places and cultural cornucopia. You’ll surely enjoy your visit to this heavenly land, but you are requested to pay reverence to everything that’s a vital part of the cultural traditions and rituals of the state.
Have a Happy and Joyful Journey!
