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Ramman Festival

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November 06, 2025

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | History

Why in News?

President Droupadi Murmu attended a special session of the Uttarakhand Assembly recently, where she presented with a Ramman mask and a book on the centuries-old festival celebrated in the state’s Garhwal region.

  • Location - Ramman is a festival celebrated annually in April during Baisakhi at the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli.
  • It is a unique blend of ritual, theatre, music, and dance, deeply rooted in the local traditions of the Garhwal Himalayas.
  • Community - It is dedicated to the custodial god, Bhumiyal Devta, a local divinity whose temple houses most of the festivities.
  • Core elements - The festival involves theatrical performances of the Ramayana and local legends, in which people sing songs and wear masks while dancing.
  • There are 18 different types of masks made of Bhojpatra, Himalayan birch, that performers wear during the event, represent different deities and mythological figures.
  • Rituals and Performances - Ramman begins with an invocation to the Hindu god Ganesha, followed by the dance of the Sun God, an enactment of the myth of the birth of Brahma and Ganesha.
  • The other dances include the dance of the Bur Deva along with Krishna and Radhika.
  • After these initial performances, the focus now shifts to the enactment of the local Ramkatha (tale of Lord Ram). Episodes from Ram’s life are sung to a total of 324 beats and steps.
  • Associated Traditional instruments - dhol, damau, and bheri accompany the performances.
  • UNESCO Recognition - In 2009, Ramman was inscribed in the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
  • According to UNESCO, the festival is a multiform cultural event that reflects the environmental, spiritual, and cultural concepts of the community.

Reference

The Indian Express | Ramman Festival
5 comments
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Goldmana 4 days

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | History Why in News? President Droupadi Murmu attended a special session of the Uttarakhand Assembly recently, where she presented with a Ramman mask and a book on the centuries-old festival celebrated in the state’s Garhwal region. Location - Ramman is a festival celebrated annually in April during Baisakhi at the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli. It is a unique blend of ritual, theatre, music, and dance, deeply rooted in the local traditions of the Garhwal Himalayas. Community - It is dedicated to the custodial god, Bhumiyal Devta, a local divinity whose temple houses most of the festivities. Core elements - The festival involves theatrical performances of the Ramayana and local legends, in which people sing songs and wear masks while dancing. There are 18 different types of masks made of Bhojpatra, Himalayan birch, that performers wear during the event, represent different deities and mythological figures. Rituals and Performances - Ramman begins with an invocation to the Hindu god Ganesha, followed by the dance of the Sun God, an enactment of the myth of the birth of Brahma and Ganesha. The other dances include the dance of the Bur Deva along with Krishna and Radhika. After these initial performances, the focus now shifts to the enactment of the local Ramkatha (tale of Lord Ram). Episodes from Ram’s life are sung to a total of 324 beats and steps. Associated Traditional instruments - dhol, damau, and bheri accompany the performances. UNESCO Recognition - In 2009, Ramman was inscribed in the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. According to UNESCO, the festival is a multiform cultural event that reflects the environmental, spiritual, and cultural conce

This is fascinating! The Ramman festival sounds like such a rich and vibrant tradition, deeply woven into the fabric of Uttarakhand's culture. It's wonderful that UNESCO has recognized its significance. Speaking of engaging cultural experiences, it reminds me of the intricate patterns and strategies you find in games like Slither io – each element playing a crucial role. Check it out sometime!

Brian Sheppard 24 days

This sounds absolutely fascinating! I love how these ancient traditions like the Ramman festival are still so vibrant and deeply connected to their communities. It reminds me a bit of how some games, even simple ones like Ragdoll Archers , can capture a unique cultural feel. It's wonderful that UNESCO is recognizing and preserving such rich heritage.


Lime Charlie 4 months

With minimalist graphics and one-touch gameplay, you can enjoy quick and easy entertainment with Ragdoll Archers right in your browser.

CPS Games 5 months

This gave a really nice snapshot of a cultural tradition that many people might not be aware of. I appreciate when information is presented in a simple and easy-to-understand way like this. I found this after spending a few minutes on CPS Games, and it turned out to be much more meaningful than I expected. Good read overall.

ragdoll 5 months

Subway Surfers has vibrant graphics, seamless gameplay, and great soundtracks that match its fast pace. Players can explore new locales and landmarks as the game updates. As players go across the city, settings and locales change, creating a new visual experience. 

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