One of the main festival of Uttrakhand is celebrating Egas, which comes after 11 days of Bagwal (Deepawali). Actually, the festival of Jyoti festival, Deepawali, reaches the top of today, so this series of festivals was named as Egas-Bagwal. This festival is celebrated with the same passion as Diwali, thats why it is also known as Choti Diwali.
According to mythological beliefs, when Shri Ram returned from exile to Ayodhya, people welcomed Karthik Krishna Amavasya by lighting diyas. However, Kartik Shukla Ekadashi came to understand of Rama’s return to Garhwal region, eleven days after Diwali. that’s why the villagers expressed their joy and celebrated Diwali on Ekadashi.
According to the another belief, during Diwali, Garhwal’s army under the leadership of Veer Madho Singh Bhandari of Garhwal won by winning the battle of Dapaghat, Tibet. On the eleventh day of Deepawali, the Garhwal army reached their home. Deepawali was celebrated at that point with the joy of winning the war and reaching the soldiers home. Egas-Bagwal will be celebrated on 4th of Nov 2022.
Another belief in Chamoli district is that Bheem – one among the five Pandavas – went call at jungles and didn’t return on Diwali. “Therefore, his mother Kunti didn’t celebrate Diwali on the day and celebrated the festival after 11 days when Bheem returned home,”
According to Jyotishacharya Dr. Acharya Sushant Raj, Haribodhani Ekadashi is Egas festival, Srihari awakens from the dead. On this day there’s a law to worship Vishnu. If seen, in Uttarakhand, Deep Parva starts from Kartik Krishna Trayodashi, which continues till Kartik Shukla Ekadashi is Haribodhani Ekadashi. The gods worshiped Lord Vishnu on this occasion. For this reason, it had been called Devauthani Ekadashi.
The egas-Bagwal main attraction is playing Bhaila (Small lumps of pinewood are tied with the rope), rather than fireworks on the day of Egas-Bagwal. Especially on the day of Badi Bagwal, it’s the most attraction.
Also Read: Egas Bagwal 2021: CM Dhami declared a public holiday on Nov 14 Sunday on Egas festival
After which individuals reach the high place of the village and fire the Bhaila. The performers hold the rope and dance it carefully over the highest of their heads. this is often called playing the Bhaila. it’s believed that by doing this, mother Lakshmi removes all the sufferings and provides happiness and prosperity. There’s also a practice of pandav dance with Pandoli (Gandav Gatha). Since Uttrakhand has most devotees of Padav and Shiva so their traditional dance is Pandav Nirtya which is most popular traditional dance in garhwal region.
This is an exceptional day for cattle, especially caw are worship, people feed special food prepared for them and taken care with full respect. Barley and other food grain are prepared for them, On this day cattle are taken special respect with garland of flowers etc.
People also prepared special food and sweets for themselves and distribute among themselves in family, villagers and neighbouring villages too.