19 amazing fairs and festivals in Uttarakhand.



If you are interested in experiencing the power of nature, consider a trip to Uttarakhand as well. It is called Dev Bhoomi or the land of gods. The religious atmosphere in the state allows people to immerse themselves in spirituality. In Uttarakhand many castes, tribal tribes as well as migrants celebrate the festival with awe and enthusiasm.


Popular Festivals Celebrated in Uttarakhand:


If you can experience the festival of Uttarakhand you will experience the beauty and majestic power of the natural world. Additionally, sacred religious sites and people's traditions are beautifully intertwined with the celebrations, making your visit unforgettable.



1. Kumbh Mela:

Located in Uttarakhand, Kumbh Mela is one of the most famous and important events in the state. It is held in Haridwar every year for three months. The celebration involves festival devotees from all over the world taking a dip in the holy river Ganges. Following elaborate celebrations, it is determined by the Vikrant calendar. The festival is celebrated once every four years and rotates across Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain and Allahabad, where only one place is chosen every twelve years. According to the mythological Puranas, when Lord Vishnu was carrying the amrita, four drops fell on the four places where Kumbh Mela is celebrated today.

Main attraction: A community of pilgrims come from all over the country to swim in the holy river.

When: At the end of the year or at the beginning of the new year.

Where: Haridwar.

Duration of Festival : Three months.



2. Vasantha Panchami:

Basant Panchami in Uttarakhand is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring. It is very important for the state. This festival is celebrated in the month of Magha and marks the end of winter. Folks perform traditional dances like Chounphula and Jumelia and the beating of drums reverberates around. In celebration of Basant Panchami, a fair is held in the premises of Bharata Temple in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Jagat also built a temple idol of Guru Shankaracharya. The Lord is taken throughout Rishikesh in a procession during the month of Vasantha Panchami.

Main attraction: Goddess Saraswati dressed in yellow and flying kites. Julia dances.

When: January/February.

Where: Statewide.

Duration of Festival : One day



3. Kumanoi Holi:

Kumaoni Holi is a cultural and historical celebration of Holi, a Hindu holiday known as Holi celebrated in Kumaon, India, popular in Uttarakhand. It symbolizes the end of winter, the beginning of the sowing season, and the victory of good over evil. As the name suggests, it is one of the most important festivals of the people of Kumaoni. The ceremony combines the traditions of the local community of Kumaon and the customs of North India.

Main attraction: Folk music.

When: March.

Where: Kuman.

Duration of Festival : One day



4. Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra:

Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra is held once every twelve months for three days. It is named as Himalayan Mahakumbh. This holy pilgrimage attracts devotees from Garhwal and Kumaon regions to celebrate Nanda Devi. The Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra covers 280 kms so it is estimated to take around 22 days to complete the yatra. While the Brahmins are in charge of the rituals, the Thakurs blow the bangkauras and the Dalits beat the drums comprising all the different sections of society.

Main attraction: Jat Yatra across the region with all the devotees.

When: It is based on the Hindu lunar calendar.

Where: Chamoli District, Garhwal Region.

Festival Duration: Three weeks.



5. Kandali Festival:

  The Kandali festival marks the anniversary of the Kandali flower which blooms every 12 years and is revered by the people of the Rang tribe. People devoted to the festival make idols of Shiva using barley and buckwheat and worship the god with great enthusiasm and celebrate the whole week. Then, the locals hoist the flag, perform pooja, ritual feast and pay their respects to the idol. Then, the natives destroy the tree in Kandali.

Most Important Attraction : Devotees of Lord Shiva are created by combining barley and buckwheat to create a ritual of pooja and feast.

When: August-September.

Location: Pithorgarh District.

Festival Duration: One week.



6. Harela in addition to Bithauli festival:

Harel in Uttarakhand is a celebration of the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati and is a time to celebrate the beginning of the monsoon season. Small idols of Gods and Goddesses are built and worshiped using clay called DIkars. The festival is an opportunity to check the quality of seeds sold in farmers' shops.

Bitauli festival is a time of giving cash to the children of the family. This event is significant for the rural communities living in the region. The women planted seven seeds in the soil, signifying the coming harvest on the first day of the nine-day ceremony. The germination process produces yellow leaves, known as harel, which are then cut on the 10th day.

Main attraction: Sent to Harel family members.

When: July-August.

Where: Kuman.

Duration of Festival: This festival is held for nine days.


7. Ganga Dussehra:

The descent of the holy river Ganga from heaven is also known as Ganga Dussehra in Uttarakhand. This ten-day long festival falls on Dashami in the month of Jyeshtha. At the holy ghats of the Ganges located in Haridwar, Rishikesh and Allahabad, devotees can bathe in the holy water and spend ten days in a row to be cleansed of all sins. The experience is believed to be a cleansing one and watermelons and khakis are offered to the deity during darshan.

Main attraction : Devotees from all over the country can bathe in Ganga. Ganges.

When: June.

Where: Rishikesh.

Festival Duration: It lasts for 10 days.


8. Wat Savitri:

Another popular festival in Uttarakhand includes a Vat Savitri Puja, which commemorates the legend of Savitri who performed severe penance to restore the life of her husband, Satyavan. She won the hearts of Yamaraja by her severe penance and determination. During this festival, married women offer prayers to Goddess Savitri and the banyan tree while fasting throughout the day for the well-being of their spouses.

Main Attraction: Women fast for their husband's health and longevity.

When: June.

Where: Statewide.

Duration of Festival : One day


9. Poornagiri Mela:

Purnagiri Mela, which celebrates Goddess Sati and Savant Prajapati, marks the anniversary of Sati Devi. A sacred ceremony takes place in the temple of the same name. This Poornagiri temple is located in an area where the Vishnu chakra is believed to have been cut on the navel of Sati and Sawant Prajapati and is part of the 108 Siddha Peethas. It has immense importance in religion. The meal runs for two months and devotees stay in the area throughout the year.

Main attraction: It is an example of Siddha Peethas.

When: March-April.

Location: Poornagiri Temple.

Duration of Festival : Two months


10. Sailde Bikhouti Mela:

Sale Bikhouti Mela is an annual festival held by the people of Dwarhat. The meal is done in two stages. Vimandeshwar Temple is the initial stage, Dwarahat Market is the second part. Crowds of people can watch traditional dance and music decorated with traditional trees. A key part of this festival is the beating of the rai (ship) Oda Bhetna, commemorating the deceased leader. The fusion of cultures provides an opportunity to showcase the different styles and mouth-watering sweetness of Jalebi.

Key attraction: folk music dance and jalebi exchange.

When: April-May.

Location: Vimandeshwar Temple and Dwarahat Market.


11. Fool Devi Festival:

The Phool Devi festival marks the arrival of spring and also celebrates the harvest of the year, making it the harvest festival of Uttarakhand. Locals prepare a traditional meal made of curd, jaggery and flour, which is a staple of this festival. Young women go from house to house offering coconut rice, rice and other flowers and singing traditional songs of Phool Devi. Rice and flowers left at doorsteps are believed by many to be blessings, and girls offer sweets and blessings.

Main attraction: Blooming flowers, folk songs, festive pudding called Dei.

When: March-April.

Where: Statewide.

Duration of Festival: One day.


12. Ramman:

Ramman is a major festival in Uttarakhand where devotees sing the Ramayana epic using dances and songs as the name suggests. Then, people start praying to Ganesha and perform their respective roles irrespective of their religions and castes. Music from local mythology invoking the deities known as jaguar is a central element of the ceremony. Ramman is a ceremony that enacts a part of the ritual, with historical symbolism from the Mal dance.

Main attraction: Beautiful performances from Ramayana as music and dances.

When: April.

Location: Salon-Dungra town in Chamoli region.

Festival Duration: The festival lasts for 11 to 13 days.


13. Ghee Sankranti :

Neyyi Sankranti is the most famous festival in Uttarakhand and marks the beginning of the harvest season that shows the gratitude of the residents who earn their livelihood through agriculture. The festival is celebrated in August, also known as "The" Olga festival, when it is believed that the cows that have milk have been milked and the crop will grow well. In the old tradition, uncles and aunts were given gifts from sons-in-law and nephews. The tradition evolved into agriculturists and artisans giving gifts to landlords such as axes, ghee logs and metal toothpicks.

Main attraction: Eating chapatis filled with urad dal with ghee.

When: August.

Where: Statewide.

Duration of Festival: One day.


14. Konda Jatra:

Konda Jatra is a popular festival for cattle herders and farmers in Uttarakhand. The village of Kumar in India was the first place where Konda Jatara was observed. Cultivation of paddy is associated with the practice of devotees sacrificing buffaloes to appease the deities to ensure a good harvest in the current agricultural season. People wear masks and sing songs in celebration to give thanks to the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand. The festival offers an enjoyable and wholesome experience when traditional dances like Chanchare are performed.

Main attraction: Performances of traditional dances like Chanchari. Deer dressed in white robes are worshipped.

When: September.

Location: Kumavor Village, Pittorgarh Village.

Festival Duration: One.


15. Uttarayani Mela:

Uttarayani Mela is celebrated in Uttarakhand on Makar Sankranti and usually lasts for a week. In the traditional sense, the mela is important in Bageshwar, but it is also celebrated in Ranibagh and Haneswari's Ranibagh. Uttarayani Mela is believed to be the banks of Sarayu River and the site of the sacred Bagnath Temple. Devotees can bathe in the river water as the sun moves from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere during this meal as devotees believe that it brings hope.

Main attraction : People are encouraged to take bath in holy water during this auspicious ceremony.

When: January.

Where: Kumaon, Bageshwar, Ranibagh, Hamseshwari.

Festival Duration: It lasts for a week.


16. Magha Mela:

Magh Mela is one of the most popular festivals of Uttarakhand and is widely organized in the city of Uttarkashi. With devotees flocking to the Ramlila Maidan, it is considered a major source of income through tourism. Devotees take a dip in the river Ganges and the deities are carried on palanquins or dolis. During this market artisans from all over Uttarakhand display the products of the region.

Main attraction: Devotees can take a dip in river Ganga, skiing.

When: January.

Where: Uttarkashi District.

Festival Duration: One week.


17. Bissu Mela:

The festival is celebrated by people of the Jaunsari clan, whose roots are traced back to the Pandavas, Bissu Mela is an elaborate fair held in Chakrata Block, Dehradun. Villagers come together to show their love and affection for Santura Devi, an avatar of Goddess Durga, who creates an important attraction for the mela. It is an occasion to celebrate a good harvest season in Uttarakhand and is observed for a week. Both sexes dress in bright and vibrant costumes and bring out traditional chants to groove to the folk music.

Main attraction: People gather to show their love for the worship goddess, Durga, "Santora Devi".

When: Between March and April.

Location: Chakrata Block, Dehradun.

Festival Duration: One week.


18. Kanwar Yatra:

Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage performed by Shiva's followers in the direction of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and the devotees who go on this yatra are known as Kanarias. The reason for that is to carry the holy water of the Ganges towards the Shiva temple without shoes. That's why Kanwariyas can rest during their journey at several temporary accommodation options in Gangotri or Haridwar and is considered one of the largest gatherings of groups in India.

Main attraction: Devotees carry food and walk barefoot to holy rivers.

When: July-August.

Where: Haridwar.

Festival Duration: It lasts for a month.


19. International Yoga Festival Rishikesh:

The world famous Yoga Utsav is a celebration of yoga that takes place at Paramartha Niketan Ashram Rishikesh which attracts people from all over the world. In this festival experts will offer many Indian techniques for stress management along with yoga. Campfire bonfires, dance performances along with cultural songs, bhajans, kirtans, Ganga aarti and distribution of satvik food are some of the highlights of this week-long celebration.

Main attraction: Highly skilled experts give lectures on yoga classes.

When: March.

Where: Rishikesh.

Duration of the festival: Seven days.


Festivals in Uttarakhand provide a wonderful way to learn the traditions and culture of the state. If you plan to visit Uttarakhand, the land of the gods, mark the dates to make the most of the celebrations.


F A Q:

1. What is Uttarakhand famous for?

Answer: The Himalayas with stunning scenery, spiritual centers holy rivers and beautiful sculptures are some of the popular places to visit in Uttarakhand. Also, you can get an insight into the fascinating past, fascinating diversity of wildlife and flora and adventurous activities.

2. What are the most popular dishes you should try in Uttarakhand?

Answer: If you plan to visit Uttarakhand, you must eat the delicious food items of the state:

Aloo Ke Gutka.

fanu

Chains.

Kali.

Body.

Chudkani

Russia

Dubuque.

3. What are the most spoken languages in Uttarakhand?

Answer: Hindi is the state language of Uttarakhand and Indo-Aryan languages are the languages spoken by the majority of people. Other languages spoken in the state include Garhwali, Kumauni, Punjabi and Nepali.