Ghughutiya Festival

The Ghughutiya Festival () is an annual traditional festival celebrated in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on 14 January, the date of Makar Sankranti. It includes the preparation of a traditional sweet called ghughute, made from wheat flour and jaggery, which is offered to crows and other migratory birds. It is observed mainly in the Kumaon region as Ghughutiya and in the Garhwal region as Khichdi Sankrant or Gholdiya. It is also known as Makraini, Makrain, Chunyatyar, Pusyodiya, and Kale Kauva.

Astronomy

Ghughutiya is observed on 14 January, coinciding with Makar Sankranti, the day when the sun’s apparent position shifts into the zodiac sign Capricorn (Makara) according to the Hindu solar calendar. In Uttarakhand, this transition corresponds to the sun moving northward (Uttarayan), marking the end of the winter period and the gradual increase in daylight hours.

History

Ghughutiya originated in the 12th century during the Chand dynasty. Rituals during the festival are associated with the goddess Shyamala, the patron deity of the Chand rulers. Kalyan Chand (also known as Kalyan Shah), a ruler of Kumaon, is believed to have faced a drought. According to accounts, he prayed to the goddess Shyamala, who instructed the preparation of Gughutiya as an offering. The sweetmeat was offered on Makar Sankranti, after which the drought ended. To commemorate this event, the festival is celebrated.

Legends

The festival is associated with various local legends. One version tells of King Kalyan Chand, who, after making offerings at the Baghnath temple, was said to have had a son named Nirbhaya Chand, also known as Ghughuti. In this account, the child wore a necklace with bells and was the target of an assassination attempt by a court minister. A group of crows is said to have taken the necklace and brought it back to the queen. This story is sometimes mentioned as the reason for the tradition of preparing and offering sweets to crows during the festival. Another version describes a minister named Ghughutiya who planned to kill the king, but the plan did not succeed after a crow warned the royal household.

Celebrations

Preparation

Ghughute are prepared using a dough made from wheat flour, water, and ghee (clarified butter). The dough is kneaded and shaped into small, slightly flattened disks. A filling made of jaggery, sesame seeds, and coconut is placed at the center of each disk, which is then sealed. These are shaped into forms such as knives, swords, stars, and crescent moons. The prepared sweets are deep-fried until firm and browned. In some variations, they are immersed in jaggery syrup. Decorations also include other edible materials.

Uttarayani Fair

The Uttarayani Fair is held annually in Bageshwar during the Gughutiya Festival on Makar Sankranti. It includes commercial activities. Traditional performers such as Choliyas, Jhoras, Chancharis, and Bairas participate through music and dance. The fair also features the sale of local products, including iron and copper vessels, baskets, bamboo items, mats, carpets, blankets, herbs, and spices.

See also

• Makar Sankranti
• Uttarayani Fair
• Uttarayana