Why In The News?
Bright, colourful, and captivating photos of the Raulane festival from Himachal Pradesh have recently gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion about the festival’s unique rituals and the rich cultural heritage of this centuries-old tradition.
About Raulane Festival:
- Location & Timing: The Raulane festival is celebrated in Kalpa, located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, during winter or early spring.
- Ancient Origins: The festival is believed to be around 5,000 years old, making it one of the region’s oldest surviving traditions.
- Celestial Beings (Saunis): This ancient festival honours celestial fairies called Saunis, described as radiant and gentle beings.
- Belief & Protection: Locals believe that the Saunis protect villagers during harsh winters by offering warmth, guidance, and spiritual support.
- Symbolic Marriage Ritual: During the festival, two men symbolically “marry” and act as vessels for the Saunis, representing the divine couple – the Raula (groom) and the Raulane (bride).
- Traditional Attire: The chosen men are dressed in heavy woollen robes, adorned with ornaments and distinctive face masks.
- Ritual Dance: They perform a slow, meditative dance at the Nagin Narayan Temple, where the entire community participates and celebrates.
- Cultural Significance: The Raulane festival helps preserve ancient Himalayan culture and traditions, bringing villagers together to honour their divine protectors.
[UPSC 2018] Consider the following pairs:
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? Options: (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2* (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
