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Butter Festival at Dayara Bugyal

Festive Escape · Dayara Bugyal, Uttarkashi district

Butter Festival at Dayara Bugyal

Holi with butter and buttermilk on a Himalayan meadow

Duration
4 days, 3 nights ex Dehradun
Level
Easy to moderate trek
Starts from
Dehradun

01 · Overview

About this event

Every August, as the herds come down from their summer grazing, the people of Raithal and the villages around it climb to Dayara Bugyal — one of the most beautiful high meadows in Garhwal — to thank the mountain deities for the season. They celebrate Andhud, the butter festival, by playing Holi with fresh butter, milk and buttermilk instead of colour.

Photographs from Butter Festival at Dayara Bugyal

1 / 5

02 · Highlights

Highlights

  • 01Andhud — Holi played with butter, milk and buttermilk on a Himalayan meadow
  • 02Folk songs and dances with the villagers of Raithal
  • 03Dayara Bugyal, one of the finest high meadows in Garhwal
  • 04A short trek through oak and rhododendron forest
  • 05Views across to the Gangotri range on clear mornings

03 · Itinerary

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Dehradun to Raithal

    A long, scenic drive via Uttarkashi along the Bhagirathi to Raithal, a village of old wooden houses at the foot of the trail.

    Homestay, Raithal

  2. Day 2

    Raithal to Dayara Bugyal

    A steady climb through oak and rhododendron forest to the edge of the meadow. Afternoon to settle into camp and watch the light change on the peaks.

    Camp, Dayara Bugyal

  3. Day 3

    The Butter Festival

    Join the villagers on the meadow for Andhud — prayers to the mountain deities, then Holi with butter and buttermilk, folk songs and dances. Walk back down to Raithal in the afternoon.

    Homestay, Raithal

  4. Day 4

    Raithal to Dehradun

    After breakfast, drive back down the valley to Dehradun.

Included

What is included

  • Trek guide and local support staff
  • Two nights in a Raithal homestay and a night in camp at Dayara
  • Tents, sleeping bags and mats
  • All meals during the trek
  • Road transfers from Dehradun and back
  • Forest entry fees

Before you go

Good to know

  1. 01

    The festival date follows the local calendar and usually falls in mid-August — we confirm it when you enquire.

  2. 02

    August is the tail of the monsoon. Expect rain on the drive and keep a buffer day if you can.

  3. 03

    The trek is short but steady. Comfortable for anyone used to a few hours of uphill walking.

  4. 04

    This is the villagers’ celebration — join in when invited, and ask before photographing rituals.

Enquire

Ask us about Butter Festival at Dayara Bugyal.

Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will confirm availability and send the details and an indicative cost — usually within a working day, and always before you pay anything.

Outside India? Start with your country code, e.g. +44.

We reply within one working day. No spam, and we never share your details.

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