Hidden in the remote Chaudas Valley of Pithoragarh, the Kandali Festival is one of the Himalayas’ most unique cultural events—celebrated only once every twelve years. This vibrant week-long festival of the Rung tribe takes place between August and October, timed with the rare blooming of the Kandali flower (Strobilanthes wallichii), a striking purple-blue shrub that blossoms just once a decade.
The festival is rooted in powerful legends. One tells of Rung women bravely driving out Tibetan invaders who hid in Kandali bushes, symbolizing courage and resilience. Another story speaks of a mother’s grief after her son died from the poisonous plant, inspiring the ritual of uprooting the bushes. The festival also commemorates the community’s victory over Zorawar Singh’s army in 1841.
The celebrations begin with a lively procession led by women in traditional attire, carrying sticks and tools as they uproot blooming Kandali plants in a symbolic act of triumph. Traditional worship, folk music, dance, and reenactments bring the valley alive with colour and sound.
Last Kandali Festival took place in 2023 and I had a rare chance to witness the spirit, unity, and living heritage of the Rung people—a Himalayan experience like no other. The photos and videos I took during the event can barely touch on the beauty of this event.
