r/india_tourism

btw clicked by urs truly

Isn't it amazing?

Rare view of Sundarbans Spotted Deer

Guys, I recently came across a festival that I honestly had no idea existed until I started seeing it on Instagram Reels in 2025.
It’s called the Butter Festival Anduri Utsav, and it takes place in the high-altitude meadows of Dayara Bugyal in Uttarakhand, India.
After seeing those Reels, I had this thought in my head: I have to see this in person someday.
So this year, in 2026, I finally went.
And yes… people actually celebrate by smearing butter, milk and buttermilk on each other instead of playing Holi with traditional colours. 😄
The festival is deeply connected with the local pastoral culture. Villagers traditionally bring their cattle to the Dayara meadows, and the festival is a way of expressing gratitude for nature, the meadows and the wellbeing of their livestock. There are also local rituals, folk music and dancing as part of the celebration.
I took these photos during the 2026 festival and thought I’d share them here because I’m still surprised that this isn’t something more people outside Uttarakhand know about.
Have you heard of the Butter Festival before?
And if you hadn’t seen these photos, would you have guessed that a festival like this existed in India?

One of the perks of living in the Western Ghats.

No malls. No nightlife. Questionable roads. Random power cuts.

But we do get this.

Sometimes I forget how beautiful this place is until I stop for a minute and look around.

OC

Mamleshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient, highly revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, located in Mamel village near Karsog in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Believed to be over 5,000 years old, this architectural gem is deeply shrouded in mysteries and legends connected to the Mahabharata era.

Unique Historical & Mythological Marvels

The 200-Gram Wheat Grain: The temple safely preserves an exceptionally massive, single grain of wheat that weighs nearly 200 grams, believed by devotees to date back to the time of the Pandavas.

Akhand Dhuni (Eternal Flame): An ancient fire pit inside the complex burns continuously. Local folklore states it was originally lit by the Pandavas during their exile and has never gone out.

Bheem’s Dhol: Visitors can see an enormous, ancient musical drum. Legend says the powerful Pandava brother, Bheem, played it to offer devotion to Lord Shiva.

Shiva-Parvati Vigrah: Unlike most Shiva temples that focus strictly on a Shivling, devotees here worship an ancient vigrah (idol form) of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati crafted out of Ashtadhatu (an eight-metal alloy).

Traditional Kathkuni Architecture

The temple stands as a testament to Himalayan craftsmanship, constructed entirely on a raised stone and wood platform. It features the indigenous Kathkuni architectural style, which utilizes interlocking layers of wood and stone without mortar, making the structure naturally earthquake-resistant. The exterior walls and entrance doors showcase highly intricate wood carvings, all crowned by a traditional arched roof made of heavy slate tiles.

Essential Visitor Information

Opening Hours: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Accessibility: The approach is entirely flat with virtually no stairs, making it easy to visit for children and elderly individuals.

Nearby Attraction: Pair your visit with the nearby Kamaksha Devi Temple, widely celebrated for its elite wooden craftsmanship and unique spiritual aura.

Location & Route Overview

The temple is situated roughly 2 kilometres away from the main Karsog Bus Stand. It sits roughly 100 kilometres away from both Shimla and Mandi town, making it an excellent road-trip destination.

Stay connected for more information r/HimachalHelpost

you beauty… [OC]

Guess the Place?

Forgive the poor cameraman work