Phulaich Festival, also known as Ookyand Festival, where “Oo” means flowers and “Kyand” refers to the festival. Phulaich festival is a celebration where blooming flowers meet with spirituality. The locals of Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh, celebrate nature and worship their ancestors.
Let’s understand what Phulaich Festival is, when it is celebrated, the highlights of the festival, and a traveler’s guide for the Phulaich Festival.
What is the Phulaich Festival?
In Hinduism, we treat nature as our mother and offer prayers to nature’s deities (river, mountain, earth, sun, moon, and the universe). Autumn marked the blooming of flowers, and the locals ventured into the hills to collect wildflowers grown in Kinnaur district. The tradition is to offer the rare seasonal wildflowers to local deities and ancestral spirits.
For the Kinnauri people, Phulaich is a spiritual journey that shows a bond with nature, God, and ancestors.
Where is it celebrated?
The Phulaich Festival is primarily celebrated in the Kinnaur district at Bhaba Valley. The festivities are celebrated at the villages around Nichar, Morang, Kalpa, Kanam, Pangi, Chini, and Sangla in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
Among these villages, Morang village is famous for the Phulaich Festival, where a celebration is held at the Lippa and Rarang temples.
When was Phulaich Celebrated? (Festival Dates)
As per the Hindu Calendar, the Phulaich Festival takes place in Bhadrapada month (August–September). Every year, the flower festival is celebrated in the mid-week of September, but the dates vary from village to village.
Pro Tip: Before planning a trip, check Panchang or connect with local tourism offices in Himachal’s Reckong Peo or Kalpa.
Highlights of the Phulaich Festival
In this section, we will explore the insights of the Phulaich Festival.
- Flower Gathering Ritual: The festival begins with a flower gathering ritual where young men from the village trek into high-altitude meadows to collect seasonal wildflowers. The sacred flowers are used to decorate the local deity’s temple and offered to the deities and spirits of ancestors.
- Ancestral Worship (Devta Puja): Phulaich is not just a flower festival; the local people remember and pray to their ancestors. The celebration begins with the lighting of the lamp, offering flowers, and praying to the village devta. Each village has its own Devta. In the celebration, they decorate the palanquin of Devta, accompanied by musicians (playing traditional instruments), dancers (traditional costume), and villagers who come in traditional attire.
- Traditional Kinnauri Dances: In the festival, people dressed in traditional wooden robes known as Chubas and wore silver jewellery. At the temple ground, villagers perform Kinnauri folk dance, Shand, and Kayang, and sing folk songs dedicated to God & Nature. In the festival, local exchange flowers and local delicacies are served.
- Warrior Parade & Sword Dance: A mock battle performed by men dressed in warrior costume with swords and shields. In the parade men roar with war cries and showcase martial tradition in the village courtyard.
- Feasting and Local Wine (Chhang): During the festival, traditional dishes and homemade beer made from fermented rice are served.
How to Reach Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
- By Air: The nearest airports are Shimla Airport (230 km) and Bhuntar Airport (250 km). From there, take a taxi or HRTC bus to Kinnaur.
- By Rail: The Nearest railway station is Shimla or Kalka Toy Train. From Shimla, hire a cab or take a bus to Kinnaur.
- By Road: From Shimla: ~220 km (8–10 hours) by car. Regular HRTC buses and private taxis are available to Reckong Peo, then onward to villages like Morang or Kalpa.
Where to Stay for Phulaich Festival
- Hotels are available in Kalpa, Sangla Valley and Reckong Peo.
- Homestays in Morang village and nearby offer authentic experiences.
What to Pack for Phulaich Festival
- Warm Clothing: Even in September, nights are cold (~5–10°C)
- Trekking Shoes: For flower-gathering walks or local treks
- Rain Jacket/Umbrella: In case of sudden mountain showers
- Camera: To capture floral landscapes and traditional attire
- Medicines: Basic first aid and altitude sickness meds
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a traveler, nature lover, or spiritual person, Phulaich festival has everything in a bucket. In this festival, you will experience the tradition of Himachal, a communal bond between the villagers and an untouched landscape.
Pack your bag and explore unexplored places with Hema…………
Comments