Khatarwa festival is a unique and colourful festival celebrated by the people of the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand, India. It is also known as the Gaiti or Bhailo festival. Khatarwa festival marks the beginning of the autumn season and the end of the monsoon. It is also a festival of gratitude and protection for the cattle, especially cows, which are considered sacred in Hindu culture.
Khatarwa festival is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashwin, which usually falls in mid-September. According to some local legends, the Khatarwa festival commemorates the victory of a Kumaoni king over the Garhwali king in a fierce battle. The Kumaoni king used cows as a shield to confuse and defeat the Garhwali army, who did not want to harm the holy animals. The bonfires lit on this day symbolize the message of victory sent to the capital city of Almora.
However, there is no historical evidence to support this legend, and most historians believe that the Khatarwa festival is mainly a festival of nature and agriculture. The bonfires are meant to welcome the cooler weather and ward off diseases and pests. The cows are honoured and pampered for their contribution to the farming and dairy industry. The cucumbers offered to the fire are a sign of fertility and prosperity.
How is the Khatarwa Festival Celebrated?
Khatarwa festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by the villagers of Kumaon. The preparations start a few days before the festival. The houses are cleaned and decorated with flowers and rangoli (colourful patterns made with rice flour or sand). The cattle sheds are also cleaned and filled with fresh grass and hay. The cows are bathed and adorned with garlands and bells.
On the day of the festival, people wake up early and worship Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success. They also pray to Lord Indra, the god of rain and thunder, for a good harvest. They then light bonfires at various places in the village, such as crossroads, fields, temples, or hills. The bonfires are made of wood, grass, cow dung cakes, and dried leaves. They are called Khatarwa fires or Gaiti fires.
The children play an important role in this festival. They make special sticks called Khatarwa sticks or Gaiti sticks. These sticks are made of bamboo or cane and wrapped with kaas grass (a type of wild grass that grows in high altitudes) and gulpaang flowers (a type of yellow flower that blooms in autumn). The sticks are also decorated with colourful flags and ribbons. The children carry these sticks and go around the village singing folk songs and asking for blessings and gifts from the elders.
The women also participate in this festival by singing devotional songs for the cows. They feed them with fresh grass, grains, jaggery, and salt. They also apply vermilion (a red powder used as a mark of auspiciousness) on their foreheads and horns. and express their gratitude and wish for their health and happiness.
The most interesting part of this festival is the offering of cucumbers to the fire. Cucumbers are considered sacred in Kumaon culture as they represent fertility and abundance. They are also believed to have medicinal properties that can cure various ailments. People cut cucumbers into small pieces and throw them into the fire while chanting mantras (sacred words or sounds). They also eat some cucumbers as a prasad (a holy offering).
The Khatarwa festival ends with a feast where people enjoy various delicacies made with seasonal vegetables, grains, milk, and ghee (clarified butter). They also dance and play musical instruments such as dhol (a large drum), damau (a small drum), turri (a flute), ransingha (a horn), and hurka (a string instrument).
Kumaoni Festivals: A Celebration Of Culture, Nature, And Harmony
Why is the Khatarwa Festival Important?
Khatarwa festival is important for several reasons. It is a way of celebrating the beauty and bounty of nature. Khatarwa is a way of expressing gratitude and respect to the cows, who are not only a source of income but also a symbol of life and spirituality. It is a way of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Kumaon. Also a way of strengthening the bonds of community and harmony among the villagers.
Khatarwa festival is not only important for the people of Kumaon but also for the whole world. It is a festival that showcases the harmony between humans and nature, and the respect for the diversity of life. Khatarwa is a festival that reminds us of the importance of preserving our environment and our culture. It is a festival that inspires us to live with joy and gratitude.
If you ever get a chance to visit Kumaon during the Khatarwa festival, you will be amazed by the beauty and warmth of this region. You will witness the vibrant colours of the flowers, the grass, and the fire. You will hear the melodious songs of the children, the women, and the instruments. You will smell the aroma of the food, the ghee, and the cucumbers. You will taste the sweetness of the jaggery, the salt, and the prasad. You will feel the love and blessings of the cows, the elders, and the gods.
Khatarwa festival is a festival that celebrates life in all its forms. It is a festival that teaches us to be thankful for what we have and to share it with others. It is a festival that brings happiness and peace to everyone.
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