Fairs & Festivals
Fairs and Festivals are the most colorful occasions, Festivals are the time to get together and pray to the almighty and Fairs are the time to enjoy to the fullest with friends and family to make it the best moment every year.
India is a land of celebration. People here rejoice their own festivals and participate in fairs. Uttarakhand is also a land of celebration. The festivals revered here are very colorful and a melting pot of different cultures, religions and people.
Nanda Devi Fair
Uttarakhand is famous for its colorful cultures, customs and traditions. You will be pleased by seeing the variety of fairs and festivals in this Dev Bhoomi no matter which place you will head towards you will be having a memorable experience.
Apart from the colourful mosaic of Indian festivals and fairs, the state also features an array of regional festivals which are completely packed with fun and excitement. Once you are landed here you will find yourself connected to the new attire, folk dance, folk music and rituals here.
In Uttarakhand every season brings with it new fairs and festivals. And that’s not the end! The Birthdays of Gods is even more colourful here and starting of the New Year which adds the best effects to the joyful rhythm.
Uttarakhand is a tourists spot and is visited by tourists from all across the country as well as from outside in a large number every year in order to participate at exuberant celebration during the fair and festival time.
Hilljatra, Pithoragarh
Uttarakhand the land of temples and religious destinations with their rich culture and tradition. Some of the many festivals and fairs in Uttarakhand are unique and draws tourists from far and wide. Fairs bring light to different aspects of a culture.
In Uttarakhand festivals are generally attached with fairs. The world famous largest gathering festivals Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh Mela are held at Haridwar. The Nanda Devi fair forms a part of one of the famous fair held in Uttarakhand at places Ranikhet, Nainital, Almora, Bhowali, Kichha etc.
We can even call it as land of fairs and festivals as it is full of ample colorful events every season , some of the fairs and festivals in Uttarakhand are Devidhura fair, Uttarayani fair, Gauchar fair, Purnagiri fair, Phool Dei, Maga Mela, Peerane-Kaliyar, Jauljibi and Thal Fairs, Basant Panchmi, Harela and Bhaitauli, Makar Sankranti, Khatarua, Ganga Dusshera, Bat Savitri, and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra which are held.
If you're a culture freak, you can never afford to miss the festive celebrations in the state. Make sure you visit the popular fairs and festivals in the state and make your travel memorable.
Jauljibi and Thal Fairs
The month of November every year hosts the fair of Jauljibi near the convergence of the rivers Kali and Gori. This place also cherishes the blending of three cultures viz. Shauka, Nepali and Kumaoni. The place is the entrance to the places like Johar, Darma, Chaudans and Byans. The fair plays an important role in commercial and cultural significance. Participants from Nepal are also seen here selling horses, Ghee and other goods. On the occasion of Vaishakh Sankranti, an equivalent kind of fair is organized on 14th April; mainly Shaukas are seen visiting this fair in large numbers.
The Uttarayani Festival
The Uttarayani fair is a significant fair to the cultural and social network of Uttarakhand. This fair is held in more than one place – Bageshwar, Rameshwar, Suit Mahadev, Chitrashila and Hanseshwar. The fair is a the commercial destination for goods like iron and copper pots, baskets, casks, bamboo articles, mats, carpets, blankets, herbs and spices etc. Music and dance festivals are arranged in the night time.
Bagwal - Devidhura Fair
Bagwal - The Stone Fight Fair held on Raksha Bandhan at Devidhura in the compound of Maa Varahi temple. This unique fair is very famous for its Bagwal (stone fight). During Bagwal the two Khams (groups) of people throw stones at each other. They have also a big bamboo shields to protect each other. The local villagers are being involve in this activity, they do this to make happy, Maa Varahi.
Makar Sankranti
It is a revered festival for the people of northern India. People practice offering alms to the poor and deprived and take dips in the water of holy rivers. Uttarayani fair is held during this time of the year. People prepare a necklace made out of sweetmeats of flour and jiggery in the form of pomegranates, swords and knives etc. with an orange in the centre. Little children wear these necklace and offers to crows and other birds, portion of their necklaces.
Basant Panchami
It is the eve of the spring season, it cherished in northern India along with other places. Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge is worshipped on this day to uplift the school going children. Yellow color is used on this day – yellow clothes, yellow flowers, and yellow rice is used on this occasion.
Phool Devi
This festival is cherished during the mid of March. It is known as mainly for young girls, they go from house to house to offer blessings and wishes and plates of rice, jiggery, coconut, green leaves and flowers. They are thus favored back by the owners in the form of presents, sweets, money etc.
A few of the other widely celebrated festivals are
Harela and Bhaitauli – an important Kumaoni festival
Olgia – celebrated during the time of fields full of harvest
Khatarua – celebrated in terms of victory of King of Kumaon
Bat Savitri – important festival for married ladies who wish for the well being of their spouses
Ganga Dusherra or Dasar – worshipping day of holy river Ganga, people take dip in holy.