Why in News? 

• The Ramman Festival, listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is being celebrated in Uttarakhand.  

About Ramman Festival 

• Period of Annual Celebration: The festival is celebrated annually in late April, after the harvest season, in the twin villages of Saloor-Dungra, located in Uttarakhand. 

Religious Significance 

• The festival is held in honour of Bhumiya Devta, the local deity who is considered the guardian of the village. 
• The festival involves intricate rituals, such as the recitation of a version of the epic Ramayana. 
• Performances include traditional songs and masked dances that have cultural and religious importance. 
• A key aspect of the festival is the singing of Jagar, which is a musical rendition of local legends and stories, contributing to the preservation of the region's cultural history. 

Celebration of Ramman Festival