Festivals of Uttrakhand
Uttarakhand is a home to several temples and also a place where many festivals are celebrated with much enthusiasm. The presence of major pilgrimage centers is the reason for celebrating various festivals in Uttarakhand. Most of these festivals are celebrated over a period of two to three days followed by dance and music. On the eve of most of the festivals the places near the temples are transformed into important hubs where tourists from all over India and from the world gather to take part. Uttarakhand starts the New Year with Makar Sankranti in January followed by the festival of Kale Kauve or Ghughutia. Basant Panchami signals the arrival of spring. Nandadevi Rajjaat Yatra is the most popular festival of Uttarakhand. Ganga Dusshera is celebrated in the month of May and June, and involves the worshipping of the holy river Ganga. Many other festivals are celebrated at Uttarakhand, which include Ramnavmi, Krishna Janmasthami, Ghuiya Ekadashi and Shivrat