Kangdali Festival in Uttarakhand: when people celebrate kandali shrub blooms once every 12 years

The region of Kumaon is not just breathtakingly beautiful, it has a rich history and heritage as well. Whether the majestic views of the Himalaya or its magnificent rich culture, Kumaon is charismatic in every way. This little known region lies in the northern hill state of Uttarakhand in India. It offers some of the most stunning mountain scenery, from the perennially snowcapped peaks of the Great Himalaya in the north to its beautiful, green and lush hills in the south. In the remote valley of Pithoragarh district, a plant, the kandali blooms only once every 12 years. In a weeklong festival, celebrating the blossoming of this flower the local people the Shaukas, also known as the Rungs, participate with great gaiety and enthusiasm. According to folklore, soldiers passing through along the Kali River plundered the villages on their way, and later, took cover amongst the Kandali plants. The village women attacked these soldiers after destroying the Kandali plants. Anoth