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India is a country where customs, traditions, rituals, and even festivals and celebrations change after every few 100 kilometers. Every state, region, and even village celebrates the common festivals also in unique ways, adding their special touch of customs to the day. And while Holi, Diwali, and Navratri are the conventional festivals, celebrated across India, there are some regional celebrations that very few people know of.
The customs of the mountains
The mountain regions of Uttarakhand, Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, and even the mountains of the North East, have unique customs. And as most of these regions remained isolated for the longest time due to transport limitations, people formed festivals and beliefs of their own, finding peace in their ways. And for many, there are spirits, fairies, and beings in the forests and mountains that guide them, keep them safe, and visit them during the tough times.
The fairies in Hindu legends – Aachhris of Uttarakhand
The belief in fairy-like beings exist through the mountain regions, and in Uttarakhand, fairies are referred to as Aachhris. These supernatural beings are considered guardians of the forests and mountains, and according to local folklore, they can take human-like forms and interact with people, especially in remote villages.
And one particular story is of the Khait Parvat, where Aachhris are said to take people to the fairyland.
The Saunis of Himachal
In Kinnaur, the spirits and fairies are worshipped during the Raulane festival, and these fairies are called Sauni. These are considered divine entities that come down from their celestial palaces to protect the people during the cold seasons, ensuring that everyone has the means to sustain and provide.
And during the Raulane festival, the Sauni spirits are sent back to their homes with elaborate rituals, dances, and customs.
The Raula and Raulane
Raulane festival (Image: @guyfrom_kinnaur/Threads)
The words Raula and Raulane are used to refer to the couple who dance and sing and perform rituals during the Raulane festival. The pair, both men, dress up in traditional wedding attire, with one being the bride and the other playing the role of the groom, and the Raula and Raulane together visit the Vishnu temple to perform rituals that honour the fairies.
The elaborate dresses
One of the most beautiful and eye-catching part of the Raulane is the dresses that the couple wear. The men who are chosen to be the couple dress up in traditional Kinnauri garments, often made of wool to protect against the cold, and both of them wear a mask on their faces and gloves on their hand, covering every part of their body.
The men who become the brides dress up in elaborate headgear and traditional bangles, pendants, and more, and the grooms cover their faces with red fabric.
The temple dance (Image: @lakshpuri/Threads)
The temple visit
According to several posts doing rounds on the internet, the couple visits the Nagin Narayan temple where they seek blessings, dressed in their finest traditional attire, and then participate in a sacred dance, which is believed to be a medium of communication between the human world and the spirits. The dance movements are slow, deeply symbolic, and involve the whole community.
The final blessings
As the festival draws to a close, the final blessings take place. Elders and priests perform concluding rituals, and the couple and the onlookers ask the fairies for blessings for a happy, prosperous year ahead. As the belief goes that the fairies go back to their meadows during the Springtime, the villagers and people who visit to experience the festival, ask the fairies for their final blessings before they come back next season.
