Phool Dei Festival 2024: The Essence of Uttarakhand

“Phool Dei festival is celebrated in Uttrakhand in Chaitra month. It marks the welcoming of spring season. Let us know the significance of this festival in this article.” Phool Dei is a festival celebrated in India. Uttarakhand or the Devbhoomi of our country is famous for its beautiful hills, breathtaking scenic views and, most importantly, its exciting culture. One such beautiful festival of the Devbhoomi of India is the Phool Dei Festival or the Festival of Flowers. This festival is celebrated by both the Garhwalis and the Kumaonis with full enthusiasm and energy. Let us delve deeper into this beautiful festival and learn about its significance and culture.

This festival is mainly celebrated during the season of flowers in Uttrakhand, which is usually between the months of March and April. The word ‘phool’ in Hindi means a flower and ‘dei’ means an offering in the form of a ceremonial pudding.

This festival is also a festival of unity, where the locals of a village or a city get together and meet each other with full energy and enthusiasm.

Also Check: List of Festivals of India

How is Phool Dei celebrated?

The people of Uttarakhand, especially the youth and that too, mainly the girls, wake up early to collect flowers from nearby forests, orchards and gardens. These girls then go to the different houses and shower the flowers collected on the entry of the houses as a sign of prosperity and respect for the households.

Young girls in Hinduism are considered to be a form of Goddess Laxmi. Goddess Laxmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity and thus this act by young girls is considered to be very auspicious by the people of Uttarakhand. The group of children is called ‘Phoolyari’ and throughout the day they go from one house to another to shower the flowers.

During this period, almost all households want the ‘Phoolyari’ to visit their homes and shower them with flowers and blessings for a prosperous future. The children also carry jaggery, green leaves, coconut, and fruits like peaches, apricots, cherries and apples. While showering the households with flowers and giving them their blessings, the kids sing and chant songs like ;

Phool Dei Chamma Dei,
Deno Dwar Bhur Bhakar,
Ye Deli sa Barambar Namaskar,

This means that, ‘We hope that your Dei will be full of the gods’ blessings and that it may bring good fortune, prosperity and good health in your home’. The ceremonial pudding or the Dei is usually made up of jaggery, flour and curd.

In return, on the last day of the festival , the children are given sweets, treats and other small gifts as a gesture of thankfulness and affection. In some places in Uttarakhand, this festival is celebrated for a month, while in some areas, this festival is celebrated for a few weeks only.

Usually this festival is stretched over an entire month but the first day remains the most significant. This festival signifies the inner strength and bonding of society and it also acts as a way for the youth to explore their surroundings and become generally aware of the environment they are living in.

Why is Phool Dei celebrated?

This festival is a way of thanking the almighty for all the blessings and prosperity showered upon the people of Uttarakhand. Moreover this is also a way to show their gratitude to the gods for the successful harvest season and the good crop produce.

Hence , we can say that this festival has a lot of emotions and morals connected to it. This festival promotes a sense of unity and gratitude amongst the people of Uttarakhand. Moreover, this festival brings with it an adventurous feel wherein the young kids and children of the villages explore their surroundings and environment to collect flowers, fruits etc.

Phool Dei, Chamma Dei Geet (फूल देई, छम्मा देई – गीत)

फूल देई छम्मा देई

फूलदेई छम्मा देई,
दैणी द्वार, भर भकार।
यो देली कैं बारम्बार नमस्कार।
फूले द्वार,
फूलदेई छम्मा देई।

फूल देई, छम्मा देई ।
जतुके दियाला, उतुके सई ॥
फूल देई, छम्मा देई ।
जतुके दियाला, उतुके सई ॥

चैत को मैण, एक पैट,
चेली को सुर पराण मैत
चैत को मैण, एक पैट,
चेली को सुर पराण मैत
फुल खज़ भेटोली आली
रंगलो लगी गो चे चेट

Phool Dei 2024: Significance

Phool Dei will mark the onset of spring season and will bring a message with itself, which is to thank the almighty for whatever we have and cherish the life given to us by the almighty.

• Phool Dei is a traditional festival celebrated predominantly in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. It usually falls on the first day of the Chaitra month according to the Hindu calendar, which typically corresponds to March or April in the Gregorian calendar. The festival holds significant cultural and social importance for the people of the region.
• The term “Phool Dei” literally translates to “flower giving.” During Phool Dei, young girls decorate plates filled with various offerings like rice, flowers, fruits, and sweets. They then go from door to door, blessing households with these plates while singing traditional songs. In return, they receive blessings and sometimes gifts from the families they visit.
• The festival symbolizes the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature. It is also believed to bring prosperity and good fortune to the community. Phool Dei fosters a sense of unity and strengthens social bonds as neighbors come together to celebrate and exchange greetings.
• Additionally, Phool Dei holds religious significance, as it is associated with the worship of local deities and the agricultural cycle. It is a time for expressing gratitude for the harvest and invoking blessings for a fruitful year ahead.
• Overall, Phool Dei is more than just a festival; it is a cherished tradition that embodies the spirit of community, gratitude, and celebration among the people of the Kumaon region.
• Happy Phool Dei to everyone celebrating! May this auspicious occasion bring joy, prosperity, and abundant blessings to your homes and communities.