What is Uttarakhand's Butter Festival where people play Holi with makhan

Bunny and Naina from 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' played Holi in the hills of Manali. And then, that's been on everyone's bucket list. But there's another kind of Holi where people play with butter amidst scenic Himalayan meadow!

Every time a lesser-known festival finds its way into everyday conversation, it reminds us of just how wonderfully diverse India’s cultural landscape is. Across the country, festivals often take on different names, rituals and customs, shaped by the local traditions and communities that celebrate them. And sometimes, these little regional twists make an already familiar festival feel completely unique.

And that's exactly the beauty of Anduri Utsav or Butter Festival, which is celebrated in Raithal, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.

What is Butter Festival?

Every year, the meadows of Dayara Bugyal, a pristine alpine meadow in Uttarakhand, comes alive for the Butter Festival, locally known as 'Anduri or Makhan Holi' — a celebration that blends pastoral traditions, devotion and a whole lot of playful chaos.

Bugyal means pasture in the local dialect. The festival is rooted in the annual journey of the cattle belonging to the villagers of Raithal.

Every summer, villagers of Raithal take their cattle up to the lush meadows of Dayara Bugyal, where they spend months grazing while shepherds stay with them in temporary makeshift shelters. The belief is that the rich grass and vegetation help the animals return healthier — and, in turn, produce better milk.

Therefore, after the grazing period, when the cattle return home, their homecoming is what the festival celebrates. According to mythology, cattle have always been associated with Lord Krishna and his love for makhan (butter).

This usually takes place around Bhadrapad Sankranti, usually in August, when villagers make their way towards Dayara Bugyal to bring the cattle back. This year it is being celebrated from August 15-18. People thank Lord Krishna and Bugyal Mata, revered goddess of the meadows, for looking after their cattle and for the abundant milk and butter.

The celebration begins with ritualistic prayers. Traditional music fills the air as the locals indulge in folk performances such as Dhimai and Mithi. Dahi-handi ritual is also part of the fanfare.

And this is where the utterly butterly messy fun begins. After the rituals are done, people dance and smear butter generously on their faces, while buttermilk is splashed, poured and sprayed at one another, turning the meadow into something that resembles a wonderfully messy Holi.

The preparation starts weeks before. According to the Uttarakhand Tourism blog post, homes are decorated with flowers and pooris are hung by the doors.

The celebration has evolved over time. Earlier, playful rituals involved throwing cow dung, but butter and buttermilk eventually replaced it. With tourism bringing more visitors to the region, the festival has become more elaborate.

Over time, Raithal has been gaining traction for its quaint beauty, and now the Butter Festival is also popping up in tourism packages that include trekking, overnight camp stays, musical nights and more.

Planning to catch this butter-filled Holi? You can make your way to Raithal from Dehradun or Mussoorie by cab or local bus. Just check the route, permits and timings before you go.

And since Raithal is also a starting point for the Dayara Bugyal trek, you can turn the festival trip into a little Himalayan getaway too.