The vibrant and previously little-known Raulane Festival of Himachal Pradesh has suddenly found itself in the global spotlight, thanks to the power of social media. For generations, this unique celebration in the Kinnaur valley remained a cherished local secret, but stunning photographs shared by travel bloggers have now catapulted it to viral fame, even appearing as AI-generated wallpapers and video game backgrounds.
The Story Behind the Viral Images
In an exclusive conversation with travel photographer Kanwar Pal Singh, whose work played a pivotal role in bringing the festival to the world, we learned the intricate details of this captivating event. Singh, who hails from the Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh, provided a firsthand account of the festival's magic and its recent journey into the digital limelight.
What is the Raulane Festival?
Raulane is a traditional Kinnauri festival that marks the end of winter and welcomes the harvest season. Typically occurring on the day after Holi, the festivities last for five days in March. The celebration is native to Kinnaur, with tribes from neighbouring villages like Sangla and Kalpa joining in.
The most striking visual aspect of Raulane is the attire. Locals dress in elaborate bridal finery – men as grooms and women as brides. Their faces are often covered with intricate silver and gold jewellery, their heads adorned with vibrant Styrofoam flowers, and their bodies wrapped in traditional handwoven shawls. They wear all the heirloom jewellery they possess.
"According to mythology, they send mountain fairies back as soon as the winter ends. It’s a very old, traditional, and generational ritual," Singh explained, clarifying that beyond this, the festival is primarily a vibrant tribal gathering for dance, song, and merrymaking.
A Phased Celebration
The festival unfolds over several days in a specific pattern. On the first day, only two or three couples appear dressed in their full regalia. The number increases to about five couples on the second day. Subsequently, people from neighbouring villages pour in, culminating in communal dancing and a special puja (prayer ceremony).
Singh, for whom this was a first-time experience of covering the festival, noted, "Our experience for this year was very good because it was not very crowded. This is the first PR of this festival that suddenly went viral."
Planning Your Visit: Key Travel Tips
For those inspired to witness Raulane firsthand, Singh shared crucial advice to ensure a safe and respectful trip.
Prepare for the Cold: March in the Kinnaur hills is bitterly cold. Last year, it snowed the day before the festival. Packing warm clothing is non-negotiable.
Navigate the Journey: Reaching the festival location is an adventure in itself. The roads are treacherous, and the town is remote. Bus services are limited; your best options are a daily bus from Reckong Peo or one from Chandigarh to Reckong Peo. Cabs are available but in small numbers.
Check Accessibility: The festival ground is small. It is vital to check with locals whether outsiders are being permitted entry, as increased crowds can lead to access being restricted to preserve the sanctity of the event.
On a positive note, Singh added that Kinnaur and Kalpa are established tourist destinations with good, budget-friendly accommodation and stunning views. The nearest airport and railway station are both in Shimla.
A Plea for Respectful Tourism
Singh ended with a powerful appeal to potential visitors. He implored people to respect the locals and their traditions. Recalling an incident where people were seen drinking beer near a temple during Sangla Holi, he urged tourists not to get overly intrusive or excited.
"Please respect their culture. That’s the most basic thing," he concluded, warning that if the locals feel their traditions are being disrespected, they might close the festival to outsiders entirely.
