Igas Bagwal 2025: The Traditional Diwali of Uttarakhand

People call that “late Diwali,” Igas Bagwal, or Budhi Diwali. Over time, it’s turned into much more than just a festival—it’s a burst of joy, a reason for gratitude, and honestly, a point of pride for everyone from the hills.

Even now, if you visit Garhwal or Kumaon about eleven days after regular Diwali, you’ll see the mountains wake up all over again. Villages flicker with rows of oil lamps. Drums roll down the valleys. It’s loud, lively, and you can feel the togetherness that’s kept this ancient tradition running for centuries.

So—why do people celebrate Igas Bagwal in the hills? Uttarakhand is all about dramatic peaks, sacred temples, and traditions that haven’t faded with time. The festival calendar here is wild, and Igas Bagwal, also known as Igas Diwali or Budhi Diwali, stands out. For pahadis, it’s not just another date on the calendar—it’s something that lives deep in the heart. It brings everyone together.

Every year, thousands of people gather for this festival. There’s real excitement in the air—folk dances, food that tastes like home, and rituals that have been passed down for generations. Igas Bagwal isn’t just about lights and laughter. It’s about feeling thankful—for nature, for the animals, and for the small, everyday joys that make life in the hills so special.

What Is Igas Bagwal?

Igas Bagwal is a folk festival in Uttarakhand, and people in villages and towns really look forward to it. “Igas” marks Kartik Shukla Ekadashi, while “Bagwal” just means celebration or play. The whole thing is about welcoming Lord Vishnu after his four months of rest—it’s a way to celebrate fresh starts and wish for good times ahead.

When Is Igas Bagwal Celebrated?

Igas Bagwal will be observed on November 1st in 2025. Like Diwali, the day is brimming with joy as houses are cleaned, decked out, and illuminated with diyas. Families get together to enjoy folk performances, cook traditional foods, and carry out traditions.

How Do People Celebrate Igas Diwali?

Igas Bagwal isn’t just a festival—it’s a mix of deep spiritual beliefs and lively traditions. People in Uttarakhand really go all out for it.

• First off, they fill their homes with the warm glow of diyas. It’s a lot like Diwali—lamps everywhere, lighting up every corner, lifting everyone’s spirits.
• Cows and bullocks receive a lot of love, too. Villagers oil and decorate the bullocks’ horns and drape garlands over the cows. In the hills, these animals mean everything, so folks thank them in their own special way.
• Music and dance are a big part of the day. You’ll hear folk songs echoing through the villages and see people playing old-school games like Bhailo. There’s always a crowd for the Pandava dance, and honestly, everyone joins in. It turns into a real celebration of community.
• And of course, no festival is complete without food. Kitchens come alive with the smell of dishes cooked in ghee, curd, and local grains. Neighbors drop by, plates get passed around, and the whole village feels like one big family.

Cultural Significance of Igas Bagwal

Igas Bagwal represents gratitude, harvest, and harmony. It marks the end of the rainy season and welcomes a period of abundance and light. People believe that celebrating this festival brings blessings, wealth, and beneficial health for the coming year.

For a detailed write-up on “late Diwali” in Uttarakhand, see this excellent article by Outlook India: “Igas Diwali 2025: A Guide To Uttarakhand’s Unique Folk Festival”

Igas Bagwal and Real Estate in Uttarakhand

The festive season isn’t just about celebrations—it’s also a chance to start fresh. That’s why so many families see Igas Diwali as the right moment to buy land or begin building a new home.

If you’ve ever pictured yourself living in the middle of the Himalayas, Rasheshwari Builders & Consultants can help turn that vision into something real. We’ve got legal, affordable plots in Uttarakhand, tucked away in places like Nainital, Almora, Ranikhet, and Mukteshwar—each one with its own beauty.

Maybe you’re planning to build your dream house, or maybe you’re looking to invest. Either way, Igas Bagwal is a great time to leap.

Celebrate Igas Bagwal with a New Beginning

This Igas Bagwal doesn’t just light up your home—it lights up your future too. Dive into the festival with real joy and positivity, and hey, maybe this is your moment to discover that perfect plot of land in Uttarakhand. 

Rasheshwari Builders & Consultants wishes you a bright and happy Igas Bagwal 2025! Let your life glow with happiness, prosperity, and peace, just like the lamps scattered across the hills of Uttarakhand right now.