How A Naag Devta Ritual Saved Half A Village From Flash Floods In Uttarkashi

A major tragedy struck Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. A cloudburst triggered a flash flood that caused major destruction, leaving five dead and several missing. Nearly half of the villagers were unharmed as they were participating in a local festival, dedicated to Naag Devta, at that time. 

The Ritual That Saved Lives During Flash Floods In Uttarkashi 

Hill stations and small towns are often known for their mysterious legends, age-old traditions, and seasonal festivals. Dharali in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, is no different. The village is home to a local festival called Hardoodh, which has been celebrated by the community for years. This auspicious ritual is believed to be the reason many villagers survived the cloudburst that struck on August 5, sweeping away one side of the village.

As per a report by The Times of India, Hardoodh is dedicated to Naag Devta, the serpent deity. During the month of Sawan, devotees offer prayers, milk, and flowers to the deity. On the evening of August 5, a large group had gathered inside a hillside temple on the opposite end of the village to pray. While they were inside, a sudden flash flood took place on the other side of the village in Uttarkashi, causing massive destruction.

Also Read: Uttarkashi Cloudburst Leaves At Least 4 Dead, Over 50 Missing; Rescue Operations Underway

Locals Call It Divine Intervention

Naag Devta, associated with rivers, rain, fertility, and protection, is believed to have saved these villagers. Kavita Kumari and Sanjay Singh Pawar, residents of the village, told TOI that it was truly divine grace that many people happened to be in the temple at that time. If not, the loss could have been far greater.

What’s interesting is that there’s no documentation of the Hardoodh festival in textbooks or online. It exists only in the memories and customs passed down through generations in this mountain community. Besides Dharali, the nearby village of Jharala also celebrates it. Coincidentally, this year, the date of the festival aligned with the day the flash floods in Uttarkashi struck. Furthermore, the temple where the ritual took place stands on higher, less developed ground, separated by a stream from the rest of the village. 

Also Read: Monsoon Fury In North India: Uttarakhand Village Wiped Out In Seconds, Flood Warnings In UP

It’s a fascinating story, and locals truly believe divine intervention played a part in saving them. 

Cover Image Courtesy: ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY/ X and Canva Pro/ Satrio Ramadhan