Himachal's Raulane Festival: A 5,000-year-old festival that celebrates mystical fairies

dharasuta
Sunday, November 16, 2025

In Kinnaur's Himalayas, the Raulane festival honors celestial fairies called Saunis, believed to protect villagers during harsh winters. Men, disguised as a symbolic bride and groom, perform a slow, devotional dance at the Nagin Narayan temple. This ancient tradition, devoid of modern spectacle, celebrates faith, community, and the enduring connection between humans and the divine.