• An ancient and mystical winter or early spring festival celebrated in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India. 
• Purpose: The festival honors the Sauni, or celestial fairies, who are believed to descend from the mountains to protect the villagers during the harsh winter months. The ritual is a symbolic send-off as the fairies return to their celestial homes.
• Key Rituals: Central to the ceremony are two men, chosen to embody the Raula (groom) and the Raulane (bride).
• Attire: The participants wear elaborate traditional Kinnauri woollen clothing and have their faces completely covered with masks or cloth.
• Location: The main rituals, including a slow, symbolic dance, take place at the historic Nagin Narayan temple in Kalpa.
• Tradition vs. Spectacle: Locals stress that the festival is an uncommercialized act of faith for their community and ancestors, not a performance for outsiders. 

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