Phaulaich is locally called "Ookayand"
of 'Ukyam", a combination of two words 'Oo' and 'Kayang'. 'U'-stands
for flowers and 'Kayang' for festival - festival of flowers - to see
flowers. This festival is celebrated throughout Kinnaur district.
A Festival of Flowers
On 16th Bhadra (September) about 10 Rajputs of the village go to the high
hills to pluck flowers and stay there till 17th of Bhadra. On 18th, they
return to the village and spend the night in singing and dancing under the
deodar trees.
Some of the flowers are so scented that the outsiders sometimes feel
giddiness with its fragrance. Perhaps upper reach of Kinnaur Region is rich
in wild flowers and September month is the best month for flowering.
Fragrance of some of the flowers are intoxicated and local people are used
to it and under the influence of giddiness they stay 2 nights in the upper
reaches and collect different variety of flowers and on returning the third
day to the village - the occasion is celebrated as Phulaich.
On 20th morning, the 'Deota' - "Narayan" (Local God) is bedecked
with images and fine cloths. The images of other 'Deotas' (Local Gods) -
made of Gold and silver are mounted on all sides of the frame. All people -
men, women and children dressed in their gayest, dance in the open, under
deodar trees with abandon and ease, unknown to the busy world of today.
On 23rd Bhadra - the last day of the festival, the village God is brought
back to the temple at the original place and a goat and lamb is sacrificed.