After celebrations of Basant in many parts of the country comes a very special celebrations in Uttarakhand to mark the first day of the month of Chaitra. This is the festival known as Phool Dei. It’s being celebrated in the hills and dales of the state on Tuesday. In these days of climate change and global warming, such festivals connected to the heart of nature have acquired new significance and should be preserved and cherished.
There is something very fascinating and unique about this festival of flowers and springtime. On this day, young girls carry out most of the rituals and they are the most eager participants. In some places though, this festival is like a carnival and the celebrations go on throughout the month. Dei, a special ceremonial pudding made of Jaggery (gur), white flour and curd is offered to everyone. little girls go to every house in their village with plates full of rice, jaggery, coconut, green leaves and flowers.
The girls put forward their good wishes for the prosperity of the household and are given blessings and presents like sweets, fresh jaggery and money in return. The girls shower flowers and rice on the doorsteps and sing:
Phool Dei, Chamma Dei
Deno Dwar, Bhur Bhakar
Vo Dei Sei Namashkar, Puje Dwar
The festive occasion derives its name from the word 'Dei' which refers to a ceremonial pudding. During this festival, people of villages sing, dance and make merry to celebrate the harvest and to pray for the well being of their relatives. It is one of those times when everyone exchanges wishes of prosperity. Folk singers sing Chaiti and are given rice and other gifts as appreciation. This festival of flowers is unique to the hill state and has a dimension of colour and love.
Phool Dei is a festival that showcases the inner bonding between the communities who all are residing in the hills. During the festivity, the young girls pluck the first flowers of the season. They not only scatter these flowers in front of their own doorsteps but also at the doorsteps of the other villagers. It is believed that these flowers are the indications of good luck. This is the best part of the festival. Folk singers of the village welcome the spring with their musical tunes. The drummers, known as bajgi, auli and dholi visit different village courtyards and sing these mellow and soothing songs. Phool Dei is one of the most courteous harvest festivals celebrated by people of the state.
The Phool Dei festival has a relation with nature and people pray for rise in agricultural output and general wellbeing of their dear ones. “Badi’ community sings songs for the well being of the families in their villages. Married girls get gifts from their parents. This tradition is known as ‘Bhitola’.
like last year, this year too, little children will visit Raj Bhavan, Dehradun, and place flowers on the threshold. They will meet the Governor who will give them blessings on this festive occasion.
Cultural experts have linked this festival to that of Romans in which people used to mark the festival of flowers in the name of their deity Flora. The celebration of Phool Dei in the Kumaon region has been linked to the ancient Romans’ festival of flowers by Y.D. Vaishnav in his book on Uttarakhand’s culture.
The festive occasion heralds the beginning of spring. Anybody who is visiting the region during this time is offered the delicious ceremonial pudding. Money is also exchanged in the form of gifts wishing the well being of one another. Doorsteps are decorated with flowers to spread the positive message of the Phool Dei festival.
This folk harvest festival celebrates prosperity and well-being and people pray for peace and joy. The purity of the celebrations brings happiness to all and an atmosphere of calm and rejoicing prevails all around.
