The Ramman Festival is an ancient ritual theatre celebrated by the Garhwali community in the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this festival brings together religious devotion, folklore, and community participation for cultural expression.
The Ramman festival is performed as an offering to the village deity Bhumiyal Devta. 18 people participate in the performance and play 18 characters wearing 18 masks and dance on 18 beats to celebrate the 18 Puranas and themes of Ramayana.
This article puts all the key information about this unique festival, how to reach there and how you can experience this piece of history and cultural heritage.
Historical Significance
The origins of Ramman trace back to the epic Ramayana, retelling the folk tale of Lord Rama. In particular, the history of the festival goes back to the 8th century, along with the rise of Vaishnavism after the Badrinath temple was built. The movement that followed brought saints to the Uttarakhand region who narrated stories of Ramkatha. Further with people considering Yakshas to be a form of Hanuman and Hanumankatha gained significance.1
The Rituals and Celebrations of Ramman Festival:
Ramman Festival Dates:
The festival takes place annually in April, around 9 to 11 days after Baisakhi, which generally falls in April, within the courtyard of the Bhumiyal Devta temple. The village priest determines the precise timing and sequence of rituals. The festival unfolds in a series of elaborate ceremonies, beginning with the invocation of Lord Ganesha, followed by vibrant performances and processions. While the festival itself lasts only one day, the preparations and rituals extend for several weeks before the main event. Since this Festival is community-led, the exact date may vary slightly each year.
The Grand Procession:
A central ritual of Ramman is the grand procession of Bhumiyal Devta. The deity is carried from his temple to the village, accompanied by rhythmic drum beats and masked dances. After the festival’s conclusion, the deity is placed in a chosen family’s residence for one year, where daily rituals and offerings are performed until the next festival. The chosen family follows a rigorous daily schedule for the whole year. Within their home, a designated area is set aside, and the head of the family conducts rituals.
Folk Theatre:
The key essence of the festival is the narration of Ramkatha about Lord Rama’s life. Some of the episodes include Ram-Lakhsman’s visit to Janakpur, Sita’s Swayamwar, the Meeting with Hanuman, the Abduction of Sita, and Burning of Lanka. The dance comprises 18 different beats yielding a total of 324 distinct beats and steps.2
The stories are narrated in a lyrical storytelling form called Jaagar. Traditional Garhwali musical instruments like dhol and damau are played.
Masked Performances:
The masked theatre performances are what makes Ramman Festival unique, and are a treat to watch. Each character is represented using intricately crafted wooden masks, made from sacred Himalayan birch wood, Bhojpatra. While every mask is respected with religious rituals, special attention is given to the Narsingh Devta mask. Only the Bhandari community has the rights to don this mask.
Some of the performances include:
- Ganesha and Kalinki Dance: An invocation dance dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Parvati.
- Sun God Dance: A depiction of the creation myth, showcasing the birth of Brahma and Ganesha.
- Bar Deva (Naaradmuni) Dance: Featuring mythological characters like Gopi Chand (Krishna) and Rani Radhika.
- Mwar-Mwarin Dance: A dramatization of a buffalo herder’s struggles, where a tiger attacks and injures the Mwar.
- Baniya-Baniyayain Dance: A narrative of a merchant couple being robbed, symbolizing the hardships of common people.
- Bharat-Milaap: A powerful enactment of Lord Ram’s reunion with his brother Bharat, featuring the chant “Hey Bhartu Bhay” in an enchanting rhythm.
Community Involvement:
Every family in the village has a designated role, from performing arts to organizing rituals. This festival creates a strong sense of unity and community bonding. Brahmin priests perform the rituals, Baaris organise and raise funds, Dhaaris assist in co-ordination, Drummers from the Das community play the musical instruments, and Jaagars perform storytelling.
Why Visit the Ramman Festival?
Cultural Immersion: A rare opportunity to witness unique and traditional Garhwali customs.
Vibrant Performances: Folk dances, masks, and captivating storytelling bring mythology to life.
Local Interaction: Engage directly with the village community in their intimate and warm setting.
Scenic Location: Saloor and Dungra villages are surrounded by breathtaking Himalayan views.
Preservation Efforts
It is unfortunate that every traditional art faces a challenge of disappearing and remaining a page in history.
- Loss of Traditional Craftsmanship: The Himalayan birch wood used for masks is becoming endangered, posing a threat to the festival’s sacred artifacts.
- Lack of Awareness and Recognition: Despite its cultural significance, Ramman remains relatively unknown outside Uttarakhand, limiting opportunities for support. Did you know of this festival before you read this article?
- Globalization: Younger generations are moving away from villages, leading to a decline in active participants and knowledge bearers.
- Absence of Formal Documentation: Ramman is transmitted orally, making it vulnerable to erosion due to lack of documentation.
How to Reach Saloor-Dungra for Ramman
The twin villages are located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The nearest city is Joshimath which is well connected. From there Saloor-Dungra is 10km away and sharable Jeeps are available to this village from the main market of Joshimath.
Here is the information on how to get there.
By Air: The nearest airport to Salur-Dungra is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 263 km away. From the airport, you can take a taxi to or a bus to Joshimath and then proceed to Saloor-Dungra.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh Railway Station, which is about 248 km away. From here, you can take local buses or taxis to reach Saloor-Dungra, Joshimath.
By Road: Saloor-Dungra is well-connected by road. It is approximately 300 km from Dehradun. Take a bus to Joshimath from Rishikesh or Dehradun in the early morning. By late afternoon or early morning, you will reach Joshimath. Joshimath Saloor is approximately 3-4 km away and easily accessible by Local Taxis.
The Ramman Festival offers travelers an authentic cultural experience. It takes you to an ancient tradition that binds community, spirituality, ecology, and art into one. As one of India’s most authentic and least commercialised festivals, it calls out to you, especially you are seeking to go off the beaten path!
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