Fairs and Festivals of Uttarakhand

Fairs and Festivals of Uttarakhand

Gauchar Fair

This is one of the largest fairs of Garhwal. It is held every year from November 14 to 21. This fair has gained official sponsorship. Thousands of people converge on the large Gauchar terrace on the banks of the Alaknanda river. The Gauchar Fair is both a commercial and general purpose fair. Authorities of the state government arrange exhibitions and other activities to stimulate the process of development in the hills.

Matamurti Fair

The temple of Matamurti is situated at a distance of about 5 kms. to the north of Badrinath. This is an annual religious fair that attracts thousands of pilgrims from both Kumaon and Garhwal.

Karanparyag Fairs

Two important bi-annual fairs are held at Karanprayag every year. These are on Vishuvat and Makar Sankranti. These are commercial and religious fairs during which thousands of people from Garhwal and Kumaon converge. There is dancing and singing.

Bampa Fair

This is primarily a tribal fair held in the Niti valley.

Agastmuni Fair

The Agastmuni fair is held annually on a wide terrace along the Mandakini River. This is a religious and general purpose fair.
Gindi Mela
Gindi Mela is a major fair held in the southern part of Pauri Garhwal District in Uttaranchal. This fair is celebrated during the auspicious festival of Makara Sankranti. It is a major event, attracting people from far and near to the villages where this fair is celebrated.
The Gindi fair is synonymous with bravery, joy and competitive spirits. The word ‘gindi’ means ‘ball’ in the local language. As the name suggests, this fair is marked by a ball game. The game involves teams from two different villages. The main aim in this game is to capture the ball. The team that succeeds to get the ball over its side is declared the winner. The winning team takes home the ball, amidst celebrations and dances.
Vaikunta Chaturdashi Mela
Vaikunta Chaturdashi Mela is an annual event held at Kamleshwar Temple at Srinagar in Pauri Garhwal District of Uttaranchal. This fair is celebrated during Vaikunta Chaturdashi, which falls in the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November).
As in most fairs, this fair also has its share of fun and merry-making, apart from some rituals and customs. On the night of Vaikunta Chaturdashi, childless couples visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva, the deity of the temple. They offer their worship to the Shiva by lighting ‘diya’ (oil lamps). It is believed that by offering worship in this manner, on the auspicious event, they will be blessed with a child. The celebrations lasts for 5 days.
Bunkhal Kalinga Mela
Bunkhal Kalinga Mela is a famous fair celebrated at Bunkhal in Pauri Garhwal District of Uttaranchal. This event is held during the ‘Shukla Paksh’ (bright half) in the Hindu month of Margashirsh (November-December). It is dedicated to Goddess Kalinga.
Thousands of devotees throng to the temple dedicated to Goddess Kalinga, on the occasion of the Bunkhal Kalinga Mela. It is a belief among the local population that if a person prays to the goddess his/her wish will be fulfilled. Once the wish is fulfilled, the person must offer a sacrifice of a buffalo or goat. This fair is the occasion when the devotees offer the sacrifice of buffaloes and goats as a mark of their devotion.


Chaittol Fair
Chaittol is a major fair celebrated in the rural belts of Pithoragarh District in Uttaranchal. It is observed on the eight and ninth day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). This fair is dedicated to a local deity called Deval Samet. Preceding this fair is special ritual called Bhitola (also called Bhetna), in which a brother gifts his sister with a present or a token amount.
On the auspicious occasion of Chaittol, a person is chosen for being the human medium to be possessed by the deity. This possessed person is given the status of the deity and carried on a ‘dola’ (palanquin) in a procession. Other items carried in the procession include a ‘nissan’ (religious symbol), golden ‘janevo’ (holy thread), ‘morpankh’ (peacock feathers), tails of the ‘chanwar gay’ (holy cow), silver ‘dhagula’ (bracelets), ‘chunni’(a length of cloth), traditional costumes and a length of rope. The rope is meant for balancing the palanquin while traversing through the hilly terrains.
The person possessed by the deity is believed to have the ability to exorcise evil spirits using his brush, which is made using the hairs from the tail of a cow. In the trance state he dances in the Tandava Nritya style, which is a vigorous dance form attributed to Lord Shiva.
Accompanying the religious rites are various merry-making activities. The people attending the fair assemble for singing and dancing together to the beats of folk drums. This entertainment activity is known as ‘khel’ in the local slang.

Kang Dali Festival
The festival of Kang Dali is celebrated by the Shauka tribe of Uttaranchal. The Shaukas inhabit the Chaudas, Vyas and Darma valley in Pithoragarh District.
According to folklore, a boy died on applying the paste of the root of a local shrub called Kang-Dali, on his boil. Following his death, his mother cursed the shrub that the women of the tribe will pull it up when in full bloom, every 12 years. It is believed that since then, a victory dance is performed every 12 years after decimating this shrub in bloom. After the victory dance and the extermination of the shrub, the festival is concluded with a feast.
Hanol Mela, Chakrata

The temple of Hanol in Chakrata, 78 km from Mussoorie is the venue of an exotic fair. The hill dwellers of the state gather in October to worship in all their finery. This is an opportunity to exchange message, purchase wares from various merchants and to celebrate with friends and relatives before the onset of a harsh winter.
Vasantotsav

Vasantotsav or spring festival is held every year at Ramnagar during the month of January-February. A large number of local people and tourists, including foreigners participate in the festival at Ramnagar which is a gateway of Jim Corbett Park, the wildlife sanctuary of Uttranchal. The event reflects cultural activities of both Kumaon and Garhwal.
Sharadotsav

This fair is organised in Nainital in the month of October. Various cultural programmes, folk dances and folk arts are organised during this fair. A large number of people including foreign tourists visit this fair to have a glance of the local culture and traditions.
Chandrabadni Fair

This fair has a legendary background. Gautam Rishi used to go for a sacred bath in the Ganga every morning. For him, this had become part of his everyday life. Once, the king of Gods- Indra asked Surya ( Sun) as to who was the most beautiful woman on the earth. The Sun parried the question and said " Most of people are busy in their work when I shine during the day and it is very difficult for me to judge as to who is ugly and who is beautiful". Indra asked the same question to Chandradev ( Moon God) who said that Ahilya, the wife of Gautam Rishi residing at the confluence of Yamuna and Tamsa was the most beautiful woman on the earth. Hearing this, Indra was overtaken by evil and lust and made up his mind to acquire Ahilya by hook or crook. Unbecoming of the king of Gods as he was, Indra entered the Ashram ( hermitage) of Gautam at midnight and mimicked the call of a cock. Unaware of the wicked designs of Indra, Rishi Gautam set out for bathing in Ganga as usual, mistaking as the dawn. Finding Ahilya alone at home as soon as the sage left, Indra knocked the door and impersonating as Gautam, tried to bluff her. Ahilya was a pious hearted lady. She sensed the evil designs of Indra and cursed him to be a leper with a thousand eyes. Meanwhile, Gautam reached Ganga and entered the holy water for bath. The river Goddess was pleased with the punctuality and devotion of Gautam. She asked him to return home immediately as his wife was in trouble. The Rishi turned back in a hurry, leaving his Kamandal ( sacred pot) there. Later, the Goddess Ganga herself returned the Kamandal, filling it with holy water, which was set up in the Ashram in the form of a sarovar ( tank). She also gave a boon that the tank's water will be equal in holiness to the actual Gangajal and those who have a holy dip in the tank will earn the same blessing as one who has a holy dip in the Ganga. Since then, this place, which is about 8 kms on Dehradun-Saharanpur Road, is a holy bathing place of religious importance. Thousands of devotees visit the spot in April and October, when a big fair takes place here.

Surkhanda Devi Fair

Surkhanda Devi Fair is held on the Ganga Dussehra day at Surkhanda Devi temple, located at a distance of 33 kms from Mussoorie. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is an important pilgrimage centre. It can be reached by trekking about 2 kms from Kaddukhal via Dhanolti on the road to Chamba. The worship of the Goddess is the main attraction of this fair. Besides folk music and dance, the traditional handicrafts are also on display.

Kunjapuri Fair

This fair is held in October every year during Navratras at Narendra Nagar. Over fifty thousand people gather here to participate in various activities. Display of skill and strength by the youth, handicrafts and handmade articles are main attractions of this fair.
Tharuwat Buxad Mahotsav

This fair is organised during December every year. A number of cultural events reflecting rich culture and traditions of Tharu and Buxad tribes, are organised on this occasion. Folk dances, handicrafts are the main attractions of this fair.


List of festivals


Jadaukhand Festival-----Jadaukhand (Nainidanda) ------------26th January
Salta Mahadev------------Salta Mahadev-------------------------Shiv Ratri 13-14 Jan
Devi Fair-------------------Adalikhal Goddess 15 April
Aupakhal Fair-------------Saupakhal Goddess Durga  
Bhaun Fair-----------------Bhairangkhal Goddess Bhagwati---July End August Mid
Subhnath Fair-------------Dhumakot Dhumadevi (Goddess Durga)---- First Monday of May
Patoria Fair----------------Patoria Danda Goddess Durga-------------Second Monday of May
Nainidanda----------------Nainidanda Goddess Durga-----------------First Monday of May
Bungi Fair-----------------Haldukhal Goddess Bungi  
Apola Fair-----------------Apola Goddess Bhagwati
Bhaun Fair-----------------Khalyundanda
Goddess(Durga) Fair----Bharolikhal(Bedikhal) Goddess Durga
Lodhli Fair-----------------Lodhli/Gyuinkhal Goddess Durga
Sobhinath Fair------------Sera (Padinda) Goddess Durga
Lord Shiva Fair-----------Bedikhal Lord Shiva 15 June
Kalinka Fair--------------- (Biannual) Kanmali (Beeraunkhal) Goddess Kalinka----30 Dec
Subhnath Fair------------Jogimadhi(Beeraunkhal) Lord Subhnath
Ekeshwar Fair-----------Ekeshwar Pauri Garhwali Lord Mahadev -----13 April(2 gati baisakh)
Dewalgarh Fair----------Dewalgarh Goddess Raj-Rajeshwari/ Gauri
Mansar Fair--------------Falswari Goddess Sita
Binsar Fair---------------Chauthan, Pithsain Binsar Baikunth Chaturdashi
Baikunth Chaturdashi--Srinagar (Garhwal) Kamleshwar Mahadev Baikunth Chaturdashi
Mundneshwar Fair------Kaljikhal Lord Mahadev-----------------6th June
Satyawan Savitri Fair---Nyar Valley Satyawan Savitri
Juli Sera-------------------Dotiyal Kaudiya Lansdowne---------During Summers
Diva Fair------------------Chaurikhal Diva
Devrajkhal Festival------Devrajkhal Lord Mahadev
Dermad Mahadev Festival-----Dermad Lord Mahadev
Kaulagarh Festival---------Jethdraj Badeth Jethdraj
Mori Tamleg----------------(Gangwadsyun) Pandav---------- (after 12 year) Oct-Feb
Bilvkedar-------------------Bilvkedar Lord Mahadev Shivratri
Shitalamata- Jat-----------Bhaktiyana Shitalamata Navratra
Jad-da Devi----------------Gawani-chopra (Ghat) Vileshwar Mahadev --
Kandai Fair----------------Kandai Bhairav Devta
Sanglakoti Fair------------Sanglakoti Lord Mahadev
Dangal Fair----------------Satpuli Lord Mahadev
Khuddu Fair---------------Pabo Lord Mahadev
Baisakhi Fair---------------Srinagar(Garhwal) Kamleshwar Baisakhi
Tateshwar Mahadev------Garh Lord Shiva
Pokharkhal-----------------Pokharkhal Nandadevi
Kanda Fair-----------------Kanda Village
Thalisain Fair-------------Pokhari Majhgaon Devi
Baisakhi Fair--------------Syunsi/ Beeraunkhal Devi
Ghandiyal Festival-------Maximum Villages of Pauri Dist. Ghandiyal/ Ghantakarna
Syuli Nanda---------------Syuli Nanda
Kathvadhi Fair------------Khirsu, Guwad, Kothgi, Baheli Game
Dehalchauri Bajida------Kanda Thaul Bhaiyaduj
Bhagwati Talaiya---------Beeraunkhal Devi
Ghandyal Devta----------Pang (Pabo Block) Ghandiyal
Nilkantha Nilkanth------ (Rishikesh) Lord Mahadev-------------Janamasthmi
Duria Festival-------------Bajroan Duria-----------------------------Basant Panchami
Kanvashram Fair---------kanvashram Kanva Rishi-------------Basant Panchami
Be- Mata------------------Giri Gaon Bhumiyal
Ruksh Mahadev Fair-----Jagar Gatha Lord Mahadev----------Navratra
Langur Garhi Fair--------Bhairon Garhi Bhairav
Danda Nagarja------------Kandyal (Kot Block) Nagarja
Kyunkaleshwar Fair------Pauri Town Lord Mahadev-------Shivratri Janamasthmi
Kandolia-------------------Pauri Town Bhumiyal
Nagdev---------------------Pauri Town Lord Hanuman  
Vyasghat Fair-------------Indraprayag
Shivratri Kamleshwar---- (Srinagar) Lord Shiva----------Shivratri
Bagdwal Festival---------Jaleth Katulsyun Bagdwal-----During Holi
Gindi Fair-----------------Mavakot, Dandamandi Ball Festival-------Makar Sankranti
Tilu Rauteli---------------Kanda (Rikhnikhal) Tiluveer Bala
Ghuleth Festival----------Chauthan Patti Veer Devta
Nandadevi Fair----------Dhauri Dabralsyun Nanda------Nandaasthmi
Nanda Devi--------------Khola ----------- Nandaasthmi
Jwalpa Devi--------------Jwalpa Devi
Jwer Dewal--------------- (Sitonsyun) Lakshman
Bunkhal Bunkhal-------- (Rath) Pauri Devi -- ---November/December
Jhangar Village------------Khola Patti Sitonsuon Matta Bhagwati/ Matta Jhalimali----April

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