Why is Fuldei festival celebrated?
Phool Dei is a popular festival celebrated in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, particularly in the Kumaon region. It is usually celebrated in the month of Chaitra, which falls in March or April, and marks the onset of the spring season. In 2023, Phool Dei will be celebrated on March 16.
The festival of Phool Dei is celebrated to welcome the spring season and to pray for a bountiful harvest. On this day, young girls in the villages wake up early in the morning and gather flowers and green leaves from the fields and gardens. They then visit each house in their village, and offer the flowers and leaves to the households as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
During Phool Dei, a special dish made of jaggery and flour called ‘singhori’ is also prepared and distributed among the villagers. This sweet delicacy is an essential part of the festival and is believed to bring good fortune and happiness.
This story is popular in Kedarghati
According to legend, Phool Dei originated during the reign of the Chand Kings in Kumaon, who encouraged the cultivation of flowers and plants in the region. The festival is also associated with the worship of the goddess Nanda Devi, who is considered to be the patron deity of the region.
Overall, Phool Dei is a colorful and joyous festival that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand and the Kumaon region.
In addition to the festival of Phool Dei, the people of Uttarakhand also celebrate another important festival known as ‘Moru-Dwarpal’, which is celebrated in the month of Chaitra, a few days after Phool Dei.
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Moru-Dwarpal is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his mount, Garuda. On this day, a small decorated wooden structure representing the entrance to the house is placed in the courtyard, and idols of Lord Vishnu and Garuda are placed on it.
The festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm, and people offer special prayers and hymns to Lord Vishnu and Garuda. The idol of Garuda is also worshipped with offerings of fruits, sweets, and flowers.
After the worship, people take out a procession carrying the idol of Garuda and dance to the beats of traditional music. The festival concludes with the immersion of the Garuda idol in a nearby water body.
Overall, the festival of Moru-Dwarpal is an important part of the cultural heritage of Uttarakhand, and is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by the people of the region.