Did you know about Diyali Festival?
Diyali is a local festival celebrated in Upper Kullu valley.
Diyali festival
Diyali is celebrated on the night of a new moon in the Poush month and villagers illuminate the valley by burning small stacks of wood on rock slabs.
This festival ends with throwing abusive phrases to evil spirits. It is believed that hurling abuses will ward away evil spirits.
A procession is taken out where hundreds of drummers and trumpeters visit every house and walnuts and peanuts are thrown at them.
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Local food served during Diyali
Guests are invited and served local delicacies such as Giche, Askalu, Chiladae, Bade and many other traditional dishes from the region.
Team NomadLawyer celebrates Diyali with Kapil Thakur’s Family in Palchan, Manali
I consider(Team NomadLawyer) fortunate to be part of this local festival in Manali with Kapil Thakur’s family. Kapil Thakur runs the Clifftop Cottage in Palchan Manali. Kapil bhai and his wife introduced us to a traditional local dish called Askalu. Kapil’s mom prepared this local dish in a very traditional way. Let us delve more into Askalu.
If you wish to know more about Clifftop Cottage, here is the link:
Watch the video on YouTube:
What is Askalu
Ainkulu, also called askalu, is a festive dish made from rice flour slurry mainly in Kullu region. It is prepared in Askaali, a traditional stone made utensil used to make Askalu.
The Askaali used by Kapil bhai’s mom is approximately 100 years old and it runs through their family. His mom is really proud of this possession.
The religious belief of offering Askalu to the local deity
100 years old Askaali- made from stones
Kapil’s mom
The final dish is mixed with local ghee and milk produced at home.
Interacting with Local People
We had really good conversations with the local people from different age groups. The idea behind such conversations were to understand the religious beliefs, traditions, local dishes that encompasses this festival. We would love to show these conversations through our YouTube channel.
150 years ancestral kath-kuni house
Do watch the video on YouTube channel- NomadLawyer, to know the process of Askalu making.
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