Kundali blooms once every 12 years, bringing nature, culture & community together

Dehradun: Something magical takes place in the Chaundas Valley of Uttarakhand due to the bloom of the Kundali flower once every 12 years. The eye-catching purple colour attracts people’s attention. It is known as the Kandali, or Strobilanthes wallichii, and blooms in the sub-Himalayan areas. The emergence of Kundali flowers after a long wait is celebrated with gaiety by the local Rung tribe, known as the Kundali festival.

The vibrant flower is known by different names, such as Kashmir acanthus, hardy Persian shield, or wild petunia. It is packed with beauty, and its bloom after more than a decade has made it different from other flowers. Whenever it blooms, its timing is from August to October, bringing happiness and excitement to the faces of the Rung tribe people.

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The Kundali festival is a great time to unite people. On this occasion people wear traditional costumes, stage folk dances, eat local food, and dramatic plays are also held in which historic battles are showcased. The battle in 1841 is always shown in the drama when locals fought against Ladakh’s invaders.

The flower keeps a special place among the Rung tribe, symbolizing strength and the extraordinary power of the tribe. The flower is ritually uprooted during the festival to mark the close of one chapter and the beginning of another one. Young people paid tribute to their past, celebrated the present, and looked for a bright future. It means nature, culture, and community all come on one platform with harmony.