Ghasyari Festival 2025: Celebrating Women’s Strength and Uttarakhand’s Cultural Heritage

Honoring Late Savita Kanswal, Promoting Rural Tourism, and Reviving Traditional Games in Matholi Village

Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, March 6, 2025: The much-awaited Ghasyari Festival 2025 is set to take place from March 7 to March 9 in Matholi village, Uttarkashi. This grand event, dedicated to the resilient women of the hills, aims to empower rural communities, promote sustainable tourism, and revive traditional cultural practices.

The festival is organized by Bakrichhap Agro Tourism & Natural Products Pvt Ltd, in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and various local stakeholders. Matholi village, the heart of this initiative, is emerging as a model for women-led tourism, attracting national and international attention.

A Tribute to the Mountain Women

The Ghasyari Festival is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of Uttarakhand’s mountain women, who have played a vital role in the region’s agrarian and pastoral life. The festival celebrates their hard work, dedication, and intrinsic connection with nature.

The highlight of the festival will be the Grass-Cutting Competition, a traditional activity that acknowledges the labor-intensive work of rural women in collecting fodder for their livestock. This event honors their endurance and skills, making it a centerpiece of the festival.

In addition to this, visitors will witness a revival of ancient games, once an integral part of Uttarakhand’s cultural identity. These traditional sports are being brought back to reconnect the younger generation with their roots.

Exciting Features of Ghasyari Festival 2025

🎯 Grass-Cutting Competition: Recognizing the traditional skills of Uttarakhand’s rural women.

🎯 Traditional Games Revival: Bringing back age-old sports and cultural competitions.

🎯 Eco-Tourism Awareness Cycle Rally: Encouraging sustainable tourism and environmentally friendly practices.

🎯 Folk Music and Dance Performances: Featuring Garhwali music and dance, providing a mesmerizing glimpse into the region’s artistic heritage.

🎯 Cultural and Rural Tourism Experience: Visitors can explore traditional homes, witness organic farming techniques, and engage with Garhwali communities.

🎯 Women Entrepreneurs and Local Artisans Exhibition: A special segment showcasing handmade crafts, traditional cuisine, and local talents.

🎯 Workshops and Storytelling Sessions: Discussing sustainable living, rural entrepreneurship, and heritage conservation.

🎯 Heritage Walks and Eco-Tours: Offering a deep dive into the age-old Ghasyari lifestyle and the natural beauty of Uttarakhand.

Honoring Late Savita Kanswal: The Spirit of Women Empowerment

This year’s festival is dedicated to the late Savita Kanswal, a proud daughter of Uttarakhand and recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.

Savita Kanswal was a pioneering mountaineer, inspiring countless women through her courage and achievements. She was a strong supporter of Ghasyari Festival 2022, promoting women’s empowerment and rural tourism.

Her legacy continues to inspire generations, and Ghasyari Festival 2025 is a heartfelt tribute to her contributions and indomitable spirit.

Matholi Village: A Model for Women-Led Tourism

The first Ghasyari Competition was successfully organized in Matholi village on March 8, 2022, in honor of International Women’s Day.

✔️ The primary objective was to develop Matholi as a Women Tourism Village, recognizing the hard work of rural women.

✔️ Today, Matholi is the first village in Uttarakhand where this initiative was conducted successfully, receiving recognition in statewide knowledge books and prestigious platforms.

✔️ The event’s unique combination of cultural heritage and gender empowerment has transformed Matholi into a center for eco-tourism, attracting bloggers, social influencers, and media professionals.

Continuing this tradition, the 2025 edition of the Ghasyari Festival promises to be bigger and better, ensuring the preservation of heritage while fostering community-led tourism.

An Open Invitation to Media and the Public

The organizers warmly invite journalists, media professionals, and the wider community to be part of this remarkable festival. Your support in amplifying the festival’s message will contribute significantly to the revival of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage and the promotion of sustainable tourism.

📞 For more information or media inquiries, contact:
📍 Pradeep Panwar: +91 9897643289
📍 Amrit Bir Singh: +91 7009350181

👉 Join us in celebrating the strength of Uttarakhand’s women and the revival of its cultural legacy!