Introduction to the Olgia Festival in Uttaranchal
Olgia is celebrated on the first day of Bhado (middle of August), when the harvest is lush and green, vegetables are in abundance and the milch animals very productive. In ancient times sons-in-law and nephews would give presents to fathers-in-law and maternal uncles, respectively, in order to celebrate Olgia. Today agriculturists and artisans give presents to the owners of their land and purchasers of their tools and receive gifts and money in return. Binai (oral harp), datkhocha (metallic tooth pick), metal calipers, axes, ghee, vegetables and firewood are some of the presents exchanged on this day. People put ghee on their foreheads and eat ghee and chapatis stuffed with 'urad' dal. It is believed that walnuts sweeten after this festival. This festival, which is a celebration of the produce of the land, is now seldom celebrated.

Description of the Olgia Festival in Uttaranchal
When the festival is celebrated, the agricultural fields are full of ripened crops, there are plenty of fruits and vegetables in the trees and the milch cattle’s are very productive.

As a token of gratitude, the agriculturists give presents to the owners of the land. The artisans also gift presents to the purchaser’s of their tools and are given gifts in return. Binai (oral harp), datkhocha (metallic tooth pick), metal calipers, axes, ghee, vegetables and firewood are exchanged.

This is popularly also known as Ghee Sankranti and people put ghee tilaks on their foreheads. They also eat ghee and chapattis stuffed with urad dal. The general belief is that walnuts ripen only after the celebration of this festival.

Time for celebrating the Olgia Festival in Uttaranchal
The festival is celebrated on the first day of the month of Bhado according to the Hindu calendar. It falls generally in mid August according to the English calendar.