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Introduction to Fulaich Festival
In the monsoon month of Bhadrapada comes the festival of flower-watching or the stunning Fulaich festival in the Kinnaur valley. This Fulaich festival is also known as Phulaich and it commemorates the dead. The fulaich festival of Himachal Pradesh is not an occasion to weep and wail. Phaulaich is locally called "Ookayand" of 'Ukyam", an amalgamation of two words 'Oo' and 'Kayang'. 'U'-stands for flowers and 'Kayang' for festival - festival of flowers - to see flowers. This festival is celebrated throughout Kinnaur region.
Time of celebrating Fulaich Festival
Fulaich Festival in Himachal Pradesh is celebrated in the month of September in the beautiful Kinnaur valley. It is mainly celebrated to honor the dead relatives and to pray for their peace of soul.
Description of Festival of Fulaich
The fair starts with animal sacrifices and soon the whole village gathers on a hill top and looks for the beautiful 'Ladra' flower. People serve rice wine and food to the dear departed ones on a mound of bricks. It is believed the dear ones who are dead come and visit their relative and accept their offerings. These are later distributed to the poor and the Harijans in the village. Afterwards the people of the village reassemble at the house of the 'Dhangaspa' family and garland all the family members of the clan.
On 16th September about 10 Rajputs of the village go to the high hills to pluck flowers and stay there till 17th of September. On 18th, they return to the village and celebrate the occasion with loud singing and dancing under the deodar trees. The flowers brought are very scented and it spreads a beautiful fragrance in the surrounding area. Perhaps upper reach of Kinnaur region is rich in wild flowers and September month is the best month for flowering. On 20th morning, the 'Deota' - "Narayan" (Local God) is ornamented with images and fine cloths. The images of other 'Deotas' (Local Gods) - made of Gold and silver are mounted on all sides of the frame. All people - men, women and children dress up beautifully and dance and sing and make merry. On 23rd Bhadra - the last day of the festival, the village God is brought back to the temple at the original place and a goat and lamb is sacrificed. Sacrifices are made into wood nymphs and at several places. Dancers perform ritual dances with prehistoric weapons.
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