‘Budhi Diwali’: A centuries-old custom where celebrations begin a month after the rest of India

Dehradun/Shimla (The Uttam Hindu): While Diwali (October 20-21) has concluded with great fanfare across the country and the world, there are many parts of India where preparations for the actual celebration have just begun. In some parts of the Himalayan states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, Diwali will be celebrated a month after the main festival. Locals call this unique tradition "Budhi Diwali."

The rituals of celebrating this Diwali are also very special which include torch procession, tug of war and traditional dance instead of bursting firecrackers.

The name 'Budhi Diwali' is derived from the belief that it falls approximately one month after the traditional Diwali. It is directly linked to the Ramayana period. It is believed that the news of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana and his arrival in Ayodhya reached the high and inaccessible Himalayan regions a month late. When the locals received this auspicious news they celebrated the festival to express their joy, a tradition that continues to this day.

In areas like Jaunsar Bawar in Uttarakhand and Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Diwali is celebrated in the second or third week of November. Jaunsar Bawar is an agricultural region, so this tradition is also linked to the harvest. Farmers celebrate this festival in their free time after completing their harvest.

The most important thing about Old Diwali is that it is completely eco-friendly. Firecrackers are not burned at all during this time. Instead, people light torches made from 'Bhimal' wood and take out torchlight processions.

In the hilly regions of Uttarakhand, it's also called "Bagwal." During this time, villagers gather in their traditional attire in the village panchayat courtyard or barn. To the beat of drums and damaus they dance and sing to traditional folk dances like Raso, Tandi, Jhainta and Harul, celebrating this unique festival.