New Delhi: Igas (Budhi Diwali) festival was celebrated with great pomp on Monday at the residence of Rajya Sabha member and BJP’s chief national spokesperson Anil Baluni at 20, Gurudwara Rakabganj Road. On this occasion, PM Narendra Modi lit the holy fire along with Gau Puja along with Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Parmarth Niketan chief Swami Chidanand Saraswati. During this, many eminent personalities including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, Union Minister Anupriya Patel were present. PM Modi has also posted some pictures of the Igas-Baghwal program on X.
The Prime Minister praised Baluni’s campaign and efforts to preserve the ancient culture and festival. On this occasion, Baluni said that with the inspiration of the Prime Minister, he took the initiative to revive this almost forgotten festival. After nearly five years of efforts, this festival is now being celebrated not only in Uttarakhand but in the country and the world. Baluni also welcomed the state government’s decision to declare a public holiday in the state on the occasion of Igas.
The festival is celebrated 11 days after Diwali
Baluni said that many beliefs are prevalent in relation to this festival. The most important belief is that when Lord Ram reached Ayodhya after conquering Lanka, people welcomed him by lighting ghee lamps. The information of his arrival was received on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi in the Garhwal region. With this information, the people of Prasanna region celebrated Diwali on the same day, which was named Igas or Budhi Diwali. The second belief is that after winning the war of Tibet under the leadership of Madho Singh Bhandari of Garhwal, his army reached Garhwal 11 days after Diwali.
The Prime Minister shared photos of the Igas-Bagwal program
PM Modi has also posted some photos of the Igas-Bagwal program on social media. PM Modi shared the photo on Twitter and wrote, ‘Many congratulations to my family members of Uttarakhand and all the countrymen on the occasion of Igas festival! Today in Delhi, I also got the privilege of joining this festival at the residence of Lok Sabha MP from Uttarakhand Anil Baluni ji. I wish that this festival brings happiness, prosperity and well-being in everyone’s life.’
The PM further wrote, ‘We are committed to moving forward with development and heritage together. I am satisfied that the Igas festival, associated with folk culture, which was almost extinct, is once again becoming the center of faith of my family members of Uttarakhand.’
He further wrote, ‘The way my brothers and sisters of Uttarakhand have revived the tradition of Igas is very encouraging. The large scale on which this holy festival is being celebrated across the country is a direct proof of this. I am confident that this heritage of Devbhoomi will flourish further.
