Himachal’s Halloween: The Festival of Dagyali – A Night of Tradition and Mystique

The Dagyali or Dagali festival, often referred to as the “Festival of Witches,” is celebrated with traditional fervor in the Keonthal area. This unique festival, part of the Teej series, is one of the most intriguing and mysterious celebrations in the state. Held annually one month after Raksha Bandhan, it falls on the Chaturdashi and Amavasya of Krishna Paksha in the Bhadrapada month. This year, the festival falls on p the 1st and 2nd of September, adhering to ancient customs.

Dagyali is particularly significant in the districts of Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan, though some regions also celebrate it on Krishna Janmashtami. According to local folklore, Dagyali is a time when demonic powers are believed to be at their peak. Historically, it has been considered one of the most fearsome festivals.

In preparation for Dagyali, local deity priests visit each household, distributing rice and mustard seeds as a protective charm. These are placed at the main entrance on the night of Chaturdashi to ward off evil spirits. Additionally, twigs from the Bhekhal bush are hung on doors and windows of homes, temples, and cowsheds for added protection.

A unique culinary tradition of Dagyali involves making Patid/Patrode from Arbi leaves, known locally as Dhindrae. On the night of Amavasya, these leaves are cut into four pieces with a sharp knife or axe at the house threshold and then spread on the roof in all four directions as an offering to the witches, ensuring that no harm comes from demonic forces. Tantriks believe that the night of Dagyali is the most auspicious time for spiritual practices. This Amavasya is also known as Kushotpatini Amavasya in scriptures, a day when people uproot Kusha grass for worship, keeping it in their homes throughout the year for its special significance.

As dusk falls, residents retreat indoors, adhering to the belief that staying outside could invite malevolent forces. Senior citizens and local literati recount tales from their ancestors about large stones in the area, believed to have been brought by witches from distant villages during the night, underscoring the festival’s eerie relevance.

In Sirmaur, the invisible Dagyali dance takes place on the night of the Dagyali festival. The Chudeshwar Kala Manch organizes a night-long dance performance based on this imaginary invisible Dagyali dance. The Hindi meaning of Dagyali is ‘Festival of Witches.’ It is believed that on these two nights, witches, ghosts, and demons are free to move and dance.No ordinary person can witness this dance; only tantriks (occultists) and the gurus of deities, known as Ghanitas, can see it. On these days, witches and spirits have the freedom to do as they please and can make any human or animal their prey. To protect themselves, people make full arrangements beforehand, creating a protective circle around themselves. People sprinkle rice or mustard seeds in their homes, animal shelters, and fields after being sanctified by a priest. They also place branches or leaves of Bhekhal and timber in their homes.

The Dagyali festival remains a fascinating blend of tradition, folklore, and community spirit, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of the region.