Uttarakhand is celebrating Ghee Sankranti (Ghitya Tyar) today, a festival that holds deep cultural and agricultural significance in the Himalayan state. Observed every year on 17th August, the day marks the Sun’s transition into the zodiac sign Leo (Singh Rashi) and symbolises prosperity, nourishment, and gratitude towards nature.
Households across the hills prepared traditional dishes such as mandua ki roti with ghee, urad dal pakoras, jaggery sweets, and maize-based delicacies. Children were especially given rotis with ghee and jaggery, in keeping with the belief that eating ghee on this day ensures strength and good health for the year ahead.
The festival, also known as Olgia, is closely tied to the farming calendar. Falling in the heart of the monsoon season, it comes at a time when paddy fields, maize, and millets are flourishing. Traditionally, it is also a day when farmers and villagers express gratitude to artisans, shepherds, and cattle rearers by offering them gifts of ghee, vegetables, and clothes. In return, blessings are exchanged, strengthening bonds within the community.
In many villages, people gathered for small celebrations with folk songs and seasonal foods, while in towns, families marked the occasion at home with prayers and festive meals. Beyond its culinary richness, the festival is a reminder of Uttarakhand’s deep connection with its land, livestock, and natural cycles.
As ghee symbolises purity and abundance, Ghee Sankranti continues to be cherished as a celebration of health, harmony, and prosperity across the Himalayan state.
