🧈 What is Butter Festival?
Butter Festival, also known as Anduri Utsav, is a one-of-a-kind cultural celebration that takes place in the majestic meadows of Dayara Bugyal, located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. This unique festival involves throwing butter and buttermilk at each other as part of a joyous community ritual aimed at expressing gratitude for the livestock and rich pastures.
It’s India’s only festival where butter becomes the language of love, gratitude, and celebration.
🐄 Why is Butter Festival Celebrated in Dayara Bugyal?
This high-altitude pastureland is not just a trekking paradise but also a traditional grazing ground for local shepherds and villagers. The Butter Festival is a way for them to thank the gods for good monsoons, fertile pastures, and healthy cattle.
The core sentiment? “Nature gives. We celebrate.”
📍 Where is Dayara Bugyal Located?
Dayara Bugyal is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas, near the villages of Raithal and Barsu, at an altitude of around 12,000 feet (3,658 meters). It offers a panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like Bandarpunch, Kala Nag, and Srikanth.
🗺️ Coordinates: 30.7528° N, 78.6112° E
🌿 Surrounded by: Oak forests, alpine meadows, and glacial streams
📅 When is Butter Festival Celebrated?
The festival is usually celebrated in August, during the shravan (monsoon) season, right after the grazing season begins. The specific date varies each year based on the local lunar calendar.
👉 In 2025, Butter Festival at Dayara Bugyal is expected to be celebrated around mid-August.
🎊 Butter Festival Rituals & Activities
Here’s what you can witness and experience during the festival:
🥛 1. Throwing Butter & Buttermilk
Locals and tourists joyfully smear butter and pour buttermilk on one another. It’s fun, spiritual, and symbolic.
💃 2. Traditional Folk Dances
Local women in bright yellow traditional attire perform the “Anduri” dance, forming beautiful circles in the lush green meadows.
🐐 3. Cattle Worship
Villagers decorate their cattle with flowers, feed them special food, and perform rituals to protect them from diseases.
📸 4. Photo-worthy Celebrations
From colorful clothes to butter-laden faces, everything about the festival is Instagram-worthy yet deeply cultural.
🌍 Tourist Experience & Local Involvement
The Butter Festival is now not just a local event but a growing eco-tourism attraction. Tourists from across India and abroad hike to Dayara Bugyal to witness this organic celebration of nature and culture.
✅ Sustainable Tourism
✅ No Entry Fee
✅ Homestays Available
✅ Local Guides Support the Trek
“It’s like Holi – but with butter, in the clouds!”
🚶♂️ How to Reach Dayara Bugyal?
🚌 By Road:
- Reach Uttarkashi by bus from Dehradun or Rishikesh
- From Uttarkashi, travel to Raithal village (base camp)
🚶 By Trek:
- Raithal to Dayara Bugyal: 9 km easy-moderate trek
- Ideal for: Beginners, families, photographers
🏕️ Tips for Travelers
- 🎒 Pack light but bring warm clothes
- 🧴 Carry sunscreen and reusable bottles
- 🛏️ Stay in homestays to support locals
- 🧈 Participate in the festival respectfully
- 📵 Limited network, but unlimited peace!
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the Butter Festival?
The Butter Festival is a unique celebration held in Dayara Bugyal, Uttarakhand, where people throw butter and buttermilk at each other as part of a joyful cultural ritual.
❓ When and where is this festival celebrated?
It is celebrated in the month of August in Dayara Bugyal, located in the Uttarkashi district. This region is also famous for trekking and alpine meadows.
❓ What makes this festival special?
The festival features traditional folk dances, the symbolic butter and buttermilk ritual, cattle worship, and a vibrant showcase of local culture and heritage.
❓ Can tourists participate in the festival?
Yes, tourists are warmly welcomed to join the celebrations and enjoy this beautiful blend of nature, tradition, and cultural unity with the locals.
🔗ALSO READ – Discover the best time to visit Dayara Bugyal : Trek, camp, or join the Butter Festival – every season offers a new experience!
🏁 Conclusion
The Butter Festival in Dayara Bugyal is not just a celebration, it’s a reminder of our connection to nature, tradition, and gratitude. Whether you’re a nature lover, trekker, or cultural explorer, this is one event in India that you cannot afford to miss.
Pack your bags, trek the clouds, and get buttered!
