Long after the rest of the country finishes celebrating the festival of lights, the hill state of Uttarakhand prepares for another major round of festivities. Exactly eleven days after the main Diwali concludes, locals observe the vibrant festival known as Igas Bagwal. This traditional celebration holds deep cultural significance across the mountain region, where residents decorate their homes with earthen lamps, prepare special regional delicacies, and gather with family members to share in the joy.
The Legends and History Behind Igas Bagwal
Frequently referred to as Igas Bagwal or Bhudi Diwali, this folk festival is observed with immense enthusiasm, particularly in the Garhwal division. Several popular beliefs and regional legends explain why the festival is celebrated on this specific date. Astrologer Akhilesh Pandey explained that two primary traditions account for the timing. According to the first belief, when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the news reached the remote hilly terrain much later than the plains. Once the residents received word of his return, they lit lamps eleven days behind the rest of the country to mark the occasion.
Heroic Tales of Madho Singh Bhandari and the Bhyailo Tradition
Another prominent folk legend connects the celebration to the brave Garhwali warrior Madho Singh Bhandari. Folklore states that he returned home alongside his soldiers after an extended period at war, prompting locals to illuminate lamps in celebration of their safe arrival. This year, the festival will fall on November 20, 2026, a Friday. Preparations begin early in the morning as families thoroughly clean their homes before lighting lamps for evening prayers. A unique aspect of the day involves bathing and worshipping livestock, particularly cows and bulls. The most distinctive ritual of Igas is playing Bhyailo, where dry pine wood and bark are bound with ropes, ignited, and swung in circles while people sing traditional folk songs.
