Uttarakhand: Diwali celebrated by performing special 'Bhela Dance’

The whole country is celebrating Diwali the festival of lights. In different parts of the country this festival of lights is celebrated in different ways. In Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region Diwali is celebrated by performing a traditional dance form called Bhela Dance.

Tehri: Diwali is a festival which features Indian culture and customs in its utmost flavour. Every year the festival is celebrated on the Kartik Krishna Amavasya by performing Lakshmi pooja. In contrast to the rest of the country celebrating Diwali in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region is very different from the rest. ETV Bharat will take you through this different cultural journey.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is known for its vibrant culture, customs and practices. The people celebrate Diwali with very different customs too. People in the Garhwal region of the state can be seen performing Bhela dance on the tunes of local instruments like Dhol Damau and Mukabin.

As per tradition, Ganesh pooja is done before the dance is performed. This traditional dance form performance is accompanied with the singing of jagar, a local singing form.

Surprisingly, Diwali is celebrated all around the year in Garhwal region. In the local folklore, it is said that whenever a king was victorious in a battle the people from the area used to celebrate the victory by doing rounds around wood logs tied together. The local people were also joined by the sepoys of the kings army in performing the dance.

According to another belief when lord Ram accomplished victory over Lanka, Bhela dance was performed to celebrate the victory. As per local beliefs the dance is also performed in honour of the departed souls of the clan. It is believed that while doing this dance the divine light of the ancestors can be seen.

On the other hand, a more localised belief states that the King of Garhwal had deputed Veer Madho Singh to counter the Tibetan upsurge in his kingdom. When the Madho Singh returned victorious from the conquest the people of Tehri as mark of respect and celebrations prepared udad dal pakodi and poori’s and performed Bhela dance.

The historical and ancient art form of Bhela dance is still continued and celebrated in the Uttarkashi, Tehri, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts of the Garhwal region. People of villages get together and celebrate Diwali while dancing on local tunes.