TodayTools

Donate

About Phulaich

00 days

About Phulaich

Phulaich, also called Ukhyang, is the flower festival of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. Ukhyang comes from the Kinnauri words for flower and looking: it is a time to go and see the flowers. It is held at the end of summer, mostly in the month of Bhadon, in early September.

Young men from each village climb to the high meadows and gather wild mountain flowers, such as the ladra flower. They come back singing and the flowers are offered to the village deity, whose palanquin is decked with them.

Phulaich is also a day to remember the family members who passed away during the year. Food and flowers are offered in their memory, and villagers give food to the poor. After the prayers comes a happy evening of Kinnauri songs, the nati dance, local dishes and visits between villages.

Kalpa, Sangla, Ropa and many other villages keep Phulaich, and the exact day is set by each village with its deity. The festival shows the close bond of the Kinnaur people with their mountains, their gods and their ancestors.

How people celebrate Phulaich

  • Gathering wild flowers from the high meadows
  • Offering flowers to the village deity
  • Remembering loved ones who passed away during the year
  • Food for the poor and the whole village
  • Kinnauri songs and nati dance
  • Wearing the green Kinnauri cap and shawl

How to wish well

  • Phulaich has both joy and remembrance; a gentle wish of peace and blessings suits everyone.
  • Wishes that speak of mountain flowers, the village deity and family are a good fit.
  • Each village fixes its own day, so ask friends when their village celebrates.

Questions about Phulaich

When is Phulaich?

At the end of summer, mostly in the month of Bhadon, in early September. Each village fixes its own day with its deity, so dates differ a little. The common date for each year is shown on this page.

Where is Phulaich celebrated?

In the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, in villages such as Kalpa, Sangla and Ropa.

What does Ukhyang mean?

Ukhyang comes from Kinnauri words for flower and looking. It means going to see the flowers.

How is Phulaich celebrated?

Young men bring wild flowers from the high meadows, the flowers are offered to the village deity, loved ones who passed away are remembered, and the evening ends with songs and nati dance.

Why is Phulaich linked to remembering the dead?

In Kinnauri tradition the festival is also a day to honour family members who died during the year, with offerings of food and flowers.

Keep exploring

Related

Coming up next

    All festival wishes

    Donate