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Recently, Diwali was celebrated across the country. In some places, it was celebrated on October 20th, while in others, it was celebrated on October 21st. This is one of the biggest festivals for Hindus. However, in Uttarakhand, Diwali is celebrated 11 days later. It is known as Pahad Diwali, Igas, or Budhi Diwali. Let’s find out when Igas Bagwal will be celebrated this year (Igas Bagwal 2025 Date).
Diwali after 11 days in Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand, the festival of Igas Bagwal, or Budhi Diwali, is celebrated on the Ekadashi of Kartik Shukla Paksha (Shukla Ekadashi), 11 days after Diwali. This year, Diwali was celebrated on October 20th. Consequently, Igas Bagwal falls 11 days after Diwali this year, i.e., on November 1st (Igas Diwali Date).
On this day, people wake up in the morning and prepare sweet dishes. In the evening, local deities are worshipped. After this, Bhaila is played. Bhaila or Bhailo is a kind of torch or ball of fire that is lit and rotated. Dance is also performed to the beat of drums.
Why is it celebrated after 11 days?
According to legend, the festival of Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. On the new moon day of Kartik Krishna, people welcomed him by lighting lamps. However, in the Garhwal region, the news of Rama’s return from exile came 11 days later. This is why the festival of Diwali is celebrated in the mountains on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, also known as Budhi Diwali or Igas Bagwal. Cows and bulls are worshipped on this day. At night, all the mountain dwellers celebrate by playing the traditional Bhailo game.
The story of the brave Madho Singh Bhandari is linked to Igas
The story of the brave Madho Singh Bhandari is also linked to the brave Madho Singh Bhandari. The song “Barha Ae Gaini Bagwali, Mero Madhi Ni Aayi” is associated with Madho Singh Bhandari, the commander of the Garhwal kingdom. It dates back to the time when King Mahipati Shah ruled the Garhwal kingdom, and Tibet was its greatest enemy.
King Mahipati Shah of the Garhwal kingdom sent his commander, Madho Singh Bhandari, to fight the Tibetan king. He also ordered him to return to Srinagar with his army by the day before Diwali after winning the battle. Upon receiving the king’s permission, Madho Singh, along with his army, went to fight the Tibetan king and won the battle.
This is how the Igas Bagwal festival began:
Madho Singh won the battle, but news of the incident didn’t reach the Garhwal kingdom until Diwali. Due to the lack of information by Diwali, rumors spread that the Garhwali army had been killed in the battle. The king accepted that his army had been killed. After which the king announced in the state that Diwali would not be celebrated in the state this time.
Diwali was not celebrated in the mourning Garhwal. But a wave of happiness came among the mourning Garhwal when the news came that Madho Singh Bhandari had won the Tibet war and he would soon reach Srinagar with his army. After which the king announced that now Diwali would be celebrated only when Madho Singh Bhandari reached Srinagar. He set foot in Srinagar 11 days after Diwali and on this day the entire state was decorated like a bride and Diwali was celebrated in the state. From then on, Igas Bagwal started in Garhwal.
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