Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami declares govt holiday for Igas

DEHRADUN: Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday announced a government holiday for Igas (Budhi Diwali) on Twitter, saying it's aimed "to promote tradition and culture of the state".
Igas is celebrated 11 days after the country celebrates Diwali. It is widely believed that the news of Lord Ram returning to Ayodhya arrived 11 days late to the hills, which is when Igas, or Budhi Diwali, is celebrated in the Himalayan state. Although the festival is an age-old tradition, there used to be no state government holiday. CM Dhami started the trend last year and carried it forward this year.
Dhami said, "It is a part of our culture and tradition. For centuries, the festival has been celebrated in the hills. People from far-off places come to their native villages to enjoy and celebrate the occasion. Therefore, we have decided to have a government holiday for Igas. Our youngsters need to learn and follow our traditions and connect to our culture."