Diwali a month-long affair in U’khand as residents set to celebrate Mangseer

WHILE the rest of India concludes its Diwali celebrations on Bhai Dooj, the mountain state of Uttarakhand keeps the festive spirit—and the lamps—burning for nearly a full month.

- NARENDRA SETHI @ Dehradun

In the remote high-altitude regions, the main Diwali festival is observed a month later, during the month of ‘Mangseer’, creating a unique cultural tapestry that sets the Himalayan state apart.

This extended observance, known locally as Mangseer Bagwal or Budhi (Old) Diwali, stems from ancient beliefs regarding the delayed delivery of auspicious news to these inaccessible valleys.