Mid-January
Ghughutiya
On Uttarayani morning, Kumaoni homes fry little birds from sweetened flour, string them into garlands, and the children call the crows down to share them — welcoming the turn of the season.
All festivalsGhughutiya
/ ghu·ghu·ti·ya /घुघुतिया
the dough-bird festival — the children's mid-winter festival of sweet fried dough birds, offered to the crows.
Ghughutiya (or Kale Kauwa) is one of the most charming Kumaoni festivals. The night before, families make ghughut — small birds and shapes of flour sweetened with jaggery, deep-fried crisp. In the morning children string them with oranges into necklaces and stand on the terraces calling the crows: ‘Kale kawa kale, ghughuti mala khale’ — come crow, eat the ghughuti garland.
The crows, taken as messengers of the coming spring, are fed first. It's a festival of children, sweets and the slow return of the light — a bright spot in the cold heart of winter.
Ghughut
Little birds of sweetened flour, fried crisp the night before.
Calling the crows
Children string them with oranges and call the crows down to share.
