Igas Bagwal
इगास बग्वालGarhwal region · the Garhwal region
What Igas Bagwal marks
Garhwal's own Diwali, celebrated eleven days after the main festival. Local tradition holds that news of Rama's return reached these remote valleys late, so the hills light their lamps on Igas instead, and it doubles as a harvest thanksgiving.
How it's celebrated
Villages swing the bhailo, bundles of pine and dry grass set alight and whirled on ropes in the dark, and dance the traditional bhailo and chhaliya to the dhol-damau. Cattle are honoured, and homes cook pakauri, swale and urad-based festive food.