Raulane: The Kinnauri Festival Uniting Masked Men, Spirits, and Fairies
India’s Vibrant Tapestry of Customs and Festivals
India’s rich cultural diversity shines through its customs, traditions, rituals, and festivals. Each state, region, and even village celebrates common festivals in unique ways, adding their own special touch of customs to the day. While Holi, Diwali, and Navratri are celebrated across India, there are regional celebrations that remain unknown to many.
Mountain Customs and the Belief in Fairies
The mountain regions of Uttarakhand, Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, and the North East have distinct customs. Due to transport limitations, these regions remained isolated, and people formed their own festivals and beliefs. Many believe in spirits, fairies, and beings in the forests and mountains that guide and protect them.
Aachhris: The Fairies of Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand, fairies are known as Aachhris. These supernatural beings are considered guardians of the forests and mountains. Local folklore suggests that they can take human-like forms and interact with people, especially in remote villages. The story of Khait Parvat is one such example where Aachhris are said to take people to fairyland.
Saunis: The Spirits and Fairies of Himachal
In Kinnaur, the spirits and fairies are worshipped during the Raulane festival. These fairies, called Sauni, are considered divine entities that come down from their celestial palaces to protect the people during the cold seasons, ensuring everyone has the means to sustain and provide. During the Raulane festival, the Sauni spirits are sent back to their homes with elaborate rituals, dances, and customs.
The Raula and Raulane
The words Raula and Raulane refer to the couple who dance and sing and perform rituals during the Raulane festival. The pair, both men, dress up in traditional wedding attire, with one being the bride and the other playing the role of the groom. Together, they visit the Vishnu temple to perform rituals that honor the fairies.
The Elaborate Dresses
The Raulane’s most beautiful and eye-catching part is the dresses that the couple wears. The men chosen to be the couple dress up in traditional Kinnauri garments, often made of wool to protect against the cold. Both wear a mask on their faces and gloves on their hands, covering every part of their body. The men who become the brides dress up in elaborate headgear and traditional bangles, pendants, and more, while the grooms cover their faces with red fabric.
The Temple Visit and Dance
According to several posts on the internet, the couple visits the Nagin Narayan temple, where they seek blessings dressed in their finest traditional attire. They then participate in a sacred dance, which is believed to be a medium of communication between the human world and the spirits. The dance movements are slow, deeply symbolic, and involve the whole community.
The Final Blessings
As the festival draws to a close, the final blessings take place. Elders and priests perform concluding rituals, and the couple and the onlookers ask the fairies for blessings for a happy, prosperous year ahead. As the belief goes that the fairies go back to their meadows during the Springtime, the villagers and people who visit to experience the festival ask the fairies for their final blessings before they come back next season.
