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Bhimtal Lake

2021-06-22T16:04:32Z

2401:4900:5C2C:196B:3C27:82FA:CE8E:4A6D:

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox lake
| name = Bhimtal
| image =File:Lake Bhimtal.jpg
| caption = A lake dweller with his boat
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = [[Bhimtal|Bhimtal Town]], [[Kumaon division| Kumaon]], [[India]]
| coords = {{coord|29|20|35|N|79|33|33|E|type:waterbody_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| type = Gravity Masonry
| inflow =
| outflow =
|pushpin_map=Uttarakhand
| catchment = {{Convert|17.12|km2}}
| basin_countries = India
| length =
| width =
| area = {{Convert|47.8|ha}}
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume = {{convert|4.63|e6m3|abbr=on}}
| residence_time =
| shore =
| elevation =
| islands = 1
| cities = [[Bhimtal]]
}}
'''Bhimtal''' is a [[lake]] in the town of [[Bhimtal]], in Kumaon, with a masonry dam built in 1883 creating the storage facility.<ref name=facts/> It is the largest lake in Nainital district which is also known as the "Lake district of India".{{Sfn|Bruyn|Venkatraman| Bain |2006|p=2}} It is also the largest lake of [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]].
The lake provides drinking water supply and supports [[aquaculture]] with variety of fish species. There is an island at the centre of the lake which has been developed as a tourist attraction and has an aquarium.<ref name=Lake/><ref name=Site>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nagarpalikanainital.org/index.php?mod=content&page=110|title=Near by Places|publisher=Official web site of Nagar Palika Nainital|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724212512/http://www.nagarpalikanainital.org/index.php?mod=content&page=110|archive-date=2015-07-24}}</ref>
It is also the largest lake in [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]].

==Geography==

The lake and the dam are located at an elevation of {{Convert|1375|m|sp=us}} in Bhimtal town in the [[Nainital district]] in Uttarakhand.<ref name=Site/> The lake drains a catchment area of {{Convert|17.12|km2|sp=us}}.<ref name=facts>{{Cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Bhimtal_Dam_D00799|title=Bhimtal Dam D00799|publisher=Water Resources Information System of India|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724213829/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Bhimtal_Dam_D00799|archive-date=24 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to geologists the origin of the lake is attributed to a number of faults which occurred due to shifting of the earth's crust. This caused blockade of the overland flows and resulted in creation of the lake. The catchment area of the lake, particularly the hills have dense forest cover; the type of forest vegetation consists of [[chir pine]], [[ban oak]] and mixed deciduous forests. The basin experiences varying tropical to sub-tropical weather conditions. Precipitation in the basin is very high, mostly occurring during the [[monsoon]] period.{{Sfn|Negi|1991|p=145}}

A peripheral road on the banks of the lake provides clear views of fish life in the lake. The lake has steep banks covered with shingle at lower elevations and bushes and grass at higher elevations. The western side of the lake is a forest area where cottages have been built; while on the opposite side there are terraced fields.{{Sfn|Shah|1999|p=38}} A perennial tributary stream feeds the lake from the west and the banks of this stream have been extensively developed with residential complexes, after Indian Independence, which has brought in shale and debris into the lake, and this process is said to be still continuing.{{Sfn|Shah|1999|p=41}} There is a small shopping centre on the southern shore of the lake. A small sanitarium on the northern shore of the lake at {{Convert|1525|m|sp=us}} elevation is said to be free from malaria and hence healthy. There is also a prison camp which was established in 1902 here at the northern end of the lake to house prisoners of the [[Boer war]].{{Sfn|Tyagi|1991|p=78}}

It is {{Convert|22.5|km|sp=us}} away from the district town of [[Nainital]]. [[Kathgodam]] is the nearest rail-head which is {{Convert|20|km|sp=us}} away.{{Sfn|Nag|1999|p=77}}

==History==
The dam was built in 1883<ref name=facts/> when Kumaon region was under the [[British Raj]] following the [[Anglo-Nepal War]] (1814–16). Nainital had then been established as their summer capital.<ref name=Gallery>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/photocoll/b/019pho0000752s8u00046000.html|title=Bhim Tal, 1893|publisher=British Library Online Gallery}}</ref>

The town and the lake are named after [[Bhima]], one of the [[Pandavas]] of the [[epic poetry|epic]] story of [[Mahabharata]] who is said to have visited the place.<ref name=Site/><ref name=Gallery/> On the banks of the dam there is an old temple which was built by Raja Baj Bahadur Chand of [[Kumaon Kingdom]] during the 17th century.<ref name=Gallery/>{{Sfn|Tyagi|1991|p=78}}

==Features==
[[File:20140818-Bhimtaal-4442.jpg|right|thumb|Water spread of the lake]]
The "C" shaped lake,<ref name=Lake/> which is the largest in the Kumaon region,{{Sfn|Nag|1999|p=77}} impounded by the masonry dam has an area of {{Convert|47.8|ha}}. It has a gross storage capacity of {{convert|4.63|e6m3|sp=us}} with a live storage of {{convert|3.54|e6m3|abbr=on}}. The surface inflow into the reservoir is only {{convert|1.756|e6m3|abbr=on}} and the balance storage is contributed by subsurface sources. The reservoir has been classified as manomictic with stratification extending over a period from March to November, with one "inner circulation." There is inflow of sediment from the catchment due to intense building activity on the banks. This has necessitated dredging of the lake regularly.<ref name=Lake>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/nlcp/Lakes/Bhimtal%20Lake.pdf|title=Bhimtal Lake|publisher=national Informatics Center|access-date=24 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724213848/http://www.moef.nic.in/sites/default/files/nlcp/Lakes/Bhimtal%20Lake.pdf|archive-date=24 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lake water which is generally clear, gets a brown coloration during some months as a result of infused [[Protozoa|animalcule]]. According to a local myth the coloration disappears once the lake claims a victim. The stored water is released through an outlet leading to the Gola River which is utilized to supplement the flows of the Bhabar canals. As the reservoir water is released, the water surface area of the lake gets reduced, when the water getting released, by {{Convert|36|ft|order=flip}} with consequent reduction of the size of the reservoir to half its original spread.{{Sfn|Shah|1999|p=38}} Water quality of the lake is in a "retrogressive ecological change" on account of a) sewage disposal, sediment inflow, and tourists' pressure causing waste disposal. This has resulted in dissolved oxygen level recorded at harmful levels to both domestic consumption and pisciculture. Nitrate level is also stated to be high at 350 mg per liter which is considered a "pre-[[eutrophication]] stage". In the bed of the lake there are deposits of injurious matter and as a result fish mortality rate is high and the quality of drinking water has also suffered.{{Sfn|Negi|1991|p=145}}

As the lake water is polluted with organic matter, it is in a [[Trophic state index#Mesotrophic|mesotrophic]] state due to disposal of sewage directly into the lake from the residential complex built around the periphery of the lake. It has now been planned to build a sewer line around the periphery of the lake to trap all the sewage from the residential areas and prevent it from entering the lake. A treatment plant to treat the waste water is also part of the waste water treatment process.<ref name=Lake/>

The picturesque island at the middle of the lake has recreation facilities including an aquarium and is approached by rowing boats.{{Sfn|Nag|1999|p=77}}

==Dam==
The dam which has created the lake is a masonry structure built at the center to a height of {{Convert|48.5|ft|order=flip|abbr=on}}. It has a length {{Convert|500|ft|order=flip|abbr=on}}. The base of the dam at the center has a width of {{Convert|36|ft|order=flip|abbr=on}} which reduces to a top width of {{Convert|10|ft|order=flip|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Gallery/> The dam is designed to pass a flood discharge of {{Convert|45|m3/s|abbr=on}} through a chute spillway which is fitted with 12 gates. The dam is located in the Seismic Zone IV.<ref name=facts/>

==Wildlife==
Wildlife seen around the lake are [[barking deer]], [[Kalij pheasant]]s, [[Koklass pheasant]]s white-capped laughingthrush and migratory [[ducks]] and [[geese]].{{Sfn|Shah|1999|p=38}}

==Fisheries==
The fish species found in the lake are [[common snowtrout]],{{Sfn|Dehadrai|Das |Verma |1994|p=155}} [[catla]], [[rohu]], [[silver carp]] (''Hypophthalmichthys molitrix'') and [[grass carp]] (''Ctenopharyngodon idella'').<ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Journal of Fisheries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cKocAQAAIAAJ|year=1988|publisher=Editorial Committee, Indian Journal of Fisheries for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research}}</ref> Also recorded in the lake waters are [[Common carp]] (''[[Cyprinus carpio]]'') and major carps ([[Labeo rohita]], ''[[Cirrhinus mrigala]]'' and [[catla catla]]).{{Sfn|Bhatt|Pande|1991|p=314}} A fish farm has been set up in the Bhima Tal.{{Sfn|Sehgal|1992|p=1}} Every year large fish yields from the lake are of [[Mahseer]], and ''[[Tor putitora]]'') species.{{Sfn|Dehadrai|Das| Verma |1994|p=146}} It is essential to get the permission of the Deputy Commissioner to fish in the lake.{{Sfn|Tyagi|1991|p=78}}

==See also==
* [[Lakes of Kumaon hills]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last1= Bhatt|first1=Shanker D. |last2=Pande|first2= Ravindra K. |title=Ecology of the Mountain Waters|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=85nG6fprPK8C&pg=PA314|date=1 January 1991|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7024-366-3}}
*{{cite book|last1= Bruyn |first1=Pippa de |last2= Venkatraman |first2=Niloufer |last3= Bain |first3=Keith |title=Frommer's India|url=https://archive.org/details/frommersindia0000debr|url-access= registration |page= [https://archive.org/details/frommersindia0000debr/page/2 2] |date=10 May 2006|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-471-79434-9}}
*{{cite book|last1= Dehadrai |first1=P. V. |last2= Das |first2=P. |last3= Verma |first3=Sewa Ram |title=Threatened Fishes of India: Proceedings of the National Seminar on Endangered Fishes of India Held at National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Allahabad on 25 and 26 April 1992|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgFFAAAAYAAJ|date=1 January 1994|publisher=Nature Conservators|isbn=978-81-900467-0-1}}
*{{cite book|last= Nag |first=Prithvish |title=Tourism and Trekking in Nainital Region|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H4MC8SSM6xEC&pg=PA77|date=1 January 1999|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-7022-769-4}}
*{{cite book|last= Negi |first=Sharad Singh |title=Himalayan Rivers, Lakes, and Glaciers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5YtUShKY8zcC&pg=PA145|year=1991|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-85182-61-2}}
*{{cite book|last= Sehgal |first=Krishan Lal |title=Recent researches in coldwater fisheries: National Workshop on Research and Development Need Coldwater Fisheries, 30–31 January 1989|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M4omAQAAMAAJ|year=1992|publisher=Today & Tomorrow's Printers & Publishers|isbn=9781555282653 }}
*{{cite book|last= Shah |first=Giriraja |title=Nainital: The Land of Trumpet and Song ; Based on J.M. Clay's Book on Nainital|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v90tTwoJq58C&pg=PA38|date=1 January 1999|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-324-3}}
*{{cite book|last= Tyagi |first=Nutan |title=Hill Resorts of U.P. Himalaya,: A Geographical Study|url=https://archive.org/details/hillresortsofuph0000tyag|url-access= registration |page= [https://archive.org/details/hillresortsofuph0000tyag/page/78 78] |year=1991|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-85182-62-9}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

{{Hydrography of Uttarakhand}}

[[Category:Lakes of Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Nainital district]]

Kumaoni Holi

2021-06-22T15:30:35Z

2401:4900:5C2C:196B:3C27:82FA:CE8E:4A6D:

{{short description|Celebration of the Hindi Holi festival in Kumaon, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name = Kumaoni Holi
| image =
| caption = Holi celebration
| type = Hindu
| nickname = 
| observedby = [[Kumaoni people|Kumaonis]]
| longtype = Religious, cultural, spring festival
| date = per [[Hindu calendar]]
| date2019 = Thursday, 21 March
| date2020 = Monday, 9 March
| celebrations = Night before: [[Holika Bonfire]] On Holi: spray colours on others, dance, party, eating festival delicacies
| frequency = Annual
}}


'''Kumauni''' or '''Kumaoni Holi''' (कुमाँऊनी होली), is the historical and cultural celebration of the Hindu festival of [[Holi]] in the region of [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]], [[India]]. It is one of the most important festivals for the [[Kumauni people]] as it signifies not only the victory of good over evil but also end of the winter season and the start of the new sowing season which holds great importance for this agricultural community of the [[North Indian]] [[Himalayas]]. It is an amalgamation of the cultural traditions of North India and the local traditions of Kumaon.

The uniqueness of the Kumaoni Holi lies in its being a musical affair, whatever its form, be it the '''Baithki Holi''', the '''Khari Holi''' and the '''Mahila Holi''' all of which start from [[Basant Panchmi]].
This results in the festivities of Holi lasting for almost two months in Kumaon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euttaranchal.com/culture/uttaranchali-holi-kumaoni-holi|title=eUttaranchal - Rediscover Uttarakhand - Tourism, Culture & People|website=www.euttaranchal.com}}</ref> The Baithki Holi and Khari Holi are unique in that the songs on which they are based have a combination of melody, fun, and spiritualism. These songs are essentially based on classical ragas. Baithki Holi is also known as '''Nirvan Ki Holi''' or Holi of Salvation.

Kumauni Holi has characteristics which are very different from Holi celebrations anywhere in the country.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Kumaon's+'Baithki+Holi'+begins+with+traditional+fervour.-a0220698197]</ref>

==Forms of Holi==
The following are the various forms musical gatherings in which Holi songs are ceremonially sung which are viewed as the start of the Holi celebration. All of these celebrations in the form of musical gatherings start on the [[Basant Panchmi]] Day.

===Origins===
The Origin of the forms of Holi especially '''Baithaki Holi''' musical traditions are in 15th century Champawat (court of the Chand kings) where the musical traditions of [[Braj]] mixed with Kumaoni musical traditions of Khadi Holi Of Champawat (Sui, Gumdesh, bilde & bishung) The Ustads which came from the plains (places like Rampur ) made the singing of Holi famous & loved not just among the rulers but also with the common masses, who slowly adopted it and gave it a distinctive Kumauni flavour. A style which is a unique blend of classical music and folk. While, to some it might resemble Thumri because of the presence of Shringar Ras in it but it is totally different, the way the Bandish are rendered, elaborated and the way some of the Raags are presented. With the spread of Chand rule and integration of Kumaon under them the Holi traditions spread all across Kumaon and acquired their distinct Kumaoni flavour. '''Mr. Heera Ballabh Bhatt ji''' was the famous Khadi Holi and Baithaki Holi singer in Champawat. He represented Kumaoni Khadi Holi on DD1.

===Baithaki Holi===
'''Baithki Holi''' (बैठकी होली), (literally Sitting Holi) is a form of musical gatherg starting from the day of Basant Panchmi held all across Kumaon till the Dulhendi (or the last full moon day of the lunar month [[Phalguna]]). In some areas of Kumaon it starts even earlier at the peak of winter on the first Sunday of the Indian month of Paush that is in the month of December and they celebrates baithaki holi till March (4 months) and during baithaki holi they do not use colours to celebrate.

The Baithaki Holi songs are based on the classical traditions of [[Hindustani Classical Music]] but have heavy influence of Kumaoni folk music traditions.

The Baithki Holi begins from the premises of temples, where ''Holiyars'' (होल्यार), (the singers of Holi songs) as also the people gather to sing songs to the accompaniment of classical music like harmonium and tabla. Generally starting from the first Sunday of Paush these are known as Nirvana Holi. Some of the holi's written by Swami Brahmanand are also sung and are called Brahmanand ki holi. From Shivratri the focus then Shifts to Shivpadi Holi's.

Most famous Baithaki Holi groups lives in Pati, [[Champawat district]]. And there is at least one musical player in all families. They sings their own made baithaki holi songs in regional [[Kumaoni language|kumaoni language]] or hindi language.

[[Kumauni people|Kumaonis]] are very particular about the time when the songs based on [[ragas]] should be sung. For instance, at noon the songs based on [[Pilu]], [[Bhimpalasi]] and Sarang ragas are sung while evening is reserved for the songs based on the ragas like Kalyan, Shyamkalyan, Kafi, Jaijawanti etc.
There is a certain distinctiveness in the presentation of ragas (melodies) too and some of them like Janglakafi (which is a special ang of khamaj) are unique to kumauni holi
The Taal's used are also unique. Dhamaar taal in kumauni holi has 16 matra's rather than 14 as in Indian classical music tradition. The other most widely used taal is known as Chanchar which also has 16 matra's. Other than these Teental and keharwa are widely used & at times one may also find Dadra being used but in most common case it is Chanchar -Teental -Keharwa in a Sitarkhani gat.
The ''Baithaks'' or sittings are held in the local community centres and even at local homes. It generally starts with Rag Dhamaar and ends with Rag Bhairavi.

The songs are usually religious in nature and concern tales from the life of the Hindu God Krishna and Ram . Still these ''Baithaks'' are an inter-religious affair as even Muslims and Christians participate in these gatherings.

'''होली राग'''---
समुझाय रही राधा नन्द, नन्द कुवर समुझय, होली खेलो फागुन ऋतु आयी,जल कैसे भरूं।

===Khadi Holi===
'''Khadi Holi''' (खड़ी होली), (literally Standing Holi) usually starts along with but sometimes a little later than Baithaki Holi.
It is mostly celebrated in the rural areas of Kumaon. The songs of the Khari Holi are sung by the people, sporting traditional white {{transl|hi|[[Gandhi cap|nokdaar topi]]}}, {{transl|hi|[[churidar|churidar payajama]]}} and {{transl|hi|[[kurta]]}}, dance in groups to the tune of ethnic musical instruments like the {{transl|hi|dhol}}, {{transl|hi|joda}} (metal instrument), and {{transl|hi|Hurka}}.

Men in groups singing Khadi holi songs which are much more Kumaoni in flavour than the classical renditions of the Baithaki holi visit different homes and greet the members of that house and chant hymns praying for prosperity of the householder. These groups of men are called {{transl|hi|tolis}}.

'''Khadi Holi''' is filled with excitement and frolic as opposed to the more sombre nature of the Baithaki Holi.
Example of a few commonly sung Khadi holi songs.
*झनकारो झनकारो झनकारो गौरी प्यारो लगो तेरो झनकारो - २ तुम हो बृज की सुन्दर गोरी, मैं मथुरा को मतवारो चुंदरि चादर सभी रंगे हैं, फागुन ऐसे रखवारो। गौरी प्यारो… सब सखिया मिल खेल रहे हैं, दिलवर को दिल है न्यारो गौरी प्यारो… अब के फागुन अर्ज करत हूँ, दिल कर दे मतवारो गौरी प्यारो… भृज मण्डल सब धूम मची है, खेलत सखिया सब मारो लपटी झपटी वो बैंया मरोरे, मारे मोहन पिचकारी गौरी प्यारो… घूंघट खोल गुलाल मलत है, बंज करे वो बंजारो गौरी प्यारो लगो तेरो झनकारो -२<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kavitakosh.org/kk/index.php?title=%E0%A4%9D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B_%E0%A4%9D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B_%E0%A4%9D%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B_/_%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%81%E0%A4%8A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80|title=झनकारो झनकारो झनकारो / कुमाँऊनी - कविता कोश|website=www.kavitakosh.org}}</ref>
*जोगी आयो शहर में व्योपारी -२ अहा, इस व्योपारी को भूख बहुत है, पुरिया पकै दे नथ-वाली, जोगी आयो शहर में व्योपारी। अहा, इस व्योपारी को प्यास बहुत है, पनिया-पिला दे नथ वाली, जोगी आयो शहर में व्योपारी। अहा, इस व्योपारी को नींद बहुत है, पलंग बिछाये नथ वाली जोगी आयो शहर में व्योपारी -२<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.kavitakosh.org/kk/index.php?title=%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A4%98%E0%A4%B0_%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B_%E0%A4%AB%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82_/_%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%81%E0%A4%8A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80|title=बलमा घर आयो फागुन में / कुमाँऊनी - कविता कोश|website=www.kavitakosh.org}}</ref>

===Mahila Holi===

They are gatherings similar to Baithaki but composed exclusively of women.
Example of a common Mahila Holi song.
*बलमा घर आयो फागुन में -२
जबसे पिया परदेश सिधारे,
आम लगावे बागन में, बलमा घर…
चैत मास में वन फल पाके,
आम जी पाके सावन में, बलमा घर…
गऊ को गोबर आंगन लिपायो,
आये पिया में हर्ष भई,
मंगल काज करावन में, बलमा घर…
प्रिय बिन बसन रहे सब मैले,
चोली चादर भिजावन में, बलमा घर…
भोजन पान बानये मन से,
लड्डू पेड़ा लावन में, बलमा घर…'
सुन्दर तेल फुलेल लगायो,
स्योनिषश्रृंगार करावन में, बलमा घर…
बसन आभूषण साज सजाये,
लागि रही पहिरावन में, बलमा घर
<ref name="auto"/>

==Rituals==
===Cheer Bandhan and Cheer Dahan===
The Holika bonfire in Kumaun is known as ''cheer'' (चीर) which is made in a ceremony known as ''Cheer Bandhan'' (चीर बंधन) fifteen days before Dulhendi. The ''cheer'' is basically a bonfire with a green ''paiya'' tree branch in the middle. The ''cheer'' of every village and mohalla is rigorously guarded as rival mohallas try to steal the others' ''cheer''. The cheer is the centre of the festivities.

The Cheer is burnt on the night before Holi and is known as ''Cheer Dahan'' is symbolic of the victory of the pious [[Prahlad]] over his evil father's plans.

===Chharadi===
Dulhendi known as ''chharadi'' (छरड़ी), in [[Kumaoni language|Kumaoni]] (from ''chharad'' (छरड़), or natural colours made from flower extracts, ash and water) is celebrated with great gusto much in the same way as all across North India. Principal ingredients of the celebration are Abeer and Gulal, in all possible colours. Next comes squirting of coloured water using pichkaris. Coloured water is prepared using Tesu flowers, which are first gathered from the trees, dried in the sun, and then ground up, and later mixed with water to produce orange-yellow coloured water. Another traditional Holi item now rarely seen is a red powder enclosed in globes of Lakh, which break instantly and cover the party with the powder.

===Shubh Kamna===
The culmination of the holi celebrations takes place with throwing {{transl|hi|abeer}} and {{transl|hi|gulal}} in the air and reciting out aloud in unison the following prayer in [[Kumaoni language|Kumaoni]] for a healthy and prosperous year ahead.

हो हो हो लख रे (may you live a hundred thousand years)

हमार आमा बुबू जी रौला सौ लाख बरिस (may our grandparents live for a hundred thousand years)

हमार इजा बौजू जी रौला सौ लाख बरिस (may our parents live for a hundred thousand years)

हमार दाज्यू भौजी जी रौला सौ लाख बरिस (may our brothers and their families live for a hundred thousand years)

हो हो हो लख रे (may you live a hundred thousand years)

==Cuisine==
Special culinary preparations for Holi include ''[[gujia]]'' (fried dumpling filled with a sweet filling of roasted Mava(Solid milk extract), and dry fruits and nuts) and ''Aaloo ke Gutke'' (आलू के गुटके), which is fried boiled potatoes seasoned with ''Dhania patta (Coriander leaves)'' with local spices and Bhaang ki Chutney.

==Significance==
Apart from its symbolic significance of victory of pious [[Prahlad]] over his evil father [[Hiranyakashipu]]'s plans. In Kumaon holi also signifies the end of the long Himalayan winter and the beginning of a new sowing season which is to be celebrated it also means a break from the rigorous life of hard agricultural labour for a few days for the Kumaoni peasantry.

==See also==
* [[Holi]]
* [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]]
* [[Kumaoni people]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}
* ''The Himalayan Gazetter'' by E. T. Atkinson
* ''The History of Kumaun'' by B. D. Pandey

== External links ==

[[Category:Religious festivals in India]]
[[Category:Hindu festivals]]
[[Category:Hindu holy days]]
[[Category:Holi]]
[[Category:Kumaon division]]
[[Category:Festivals in Uttarakhand]]
[[Category:Music festivals in India]]
[[Category:Folk festivals in India]]