Fairs and Festivals of Uttarakhand

The fairs and festivals of Uttarakhand are very colourful and distinctive, and are the blend of various natural, social and cultural factors. The religious, social and cultural urges of the people of Uttarakhand find an expression in various fairs, which are closely linked to the economic activities of the region. Makar Sankranti, Basant Panchami, Phool Dei, Haatkalika Fair, Kumbh Mela, Syalde Bikhauti, Somnath Fair, Punyagiri Fair, Jageshwar Fair, Bat Savitri, Ganga Dusshera, Harela and Bhitauli, Olgia or Ghee Sankranti, Janopunyu, Khatarua, Jauljibi and Thal fairs and Nandadevi Fair are some of the major fairs and festivals of Uttarakhand. The people of Uttarakhand also celebrate all the major Indian festivals like Holi, Navratri, Diwali, Id, Easter, Christmas, Baisakhi and Guru Nanak Jayanti.

The religious, social and cultural urges of the people of Uttarakhand find an expression in various fairs, which are in turn closely linked to the economic activities of the region. Various folk songs and dances have been kept alive because of these fairs. In older times, when means of transport were not so good these fairs were an opportunity for friends and relatives to meet regularly. Inspite of all the changes in our society, the tradition of fairs has been kept up by the people. The fairs of Jauljibi, Thal and Bageshwar have been closely linked with the trading activities of the people of this region, while the fairs at Dwarahat, Syalde and Devidhura are important from the religious and cultural point of view.

The fairs and folk festivals of Uttarakhand are very colourful and distinctive, and are the blend of various natural, social and cultural factors. The people of Uttarakhand also celebrate all the major Indian festivals. Basant Panchami, Bhitauli, Harela, Phooldei, Batsavitri, Ganga Dusshera, Dikar Puja, Olgi or Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, Ghuian Ekadashi and Ghughutia are some of the major festivals of Uttarakhand. The daily lives of Uttarakhandi women are crowded with a never-ending succession of festivals, most of them involving fasts and the preparation of special foods.

Fairs of Uttarakhand Kumbh Mela Jauljibi and Thal Fairs Uttarayani Fair The Nandadevi Fair Syalde Bikhauti The Somnath Fair The Devidhura Fair The Jageshwar Fair The Purnagiri Fair The Haatkalika Fair Festivals of Uttarakhand Makar Sankranti Basant Panchami Phool Dei Harela and Bhitauli Ghee Sankranti Khatarua Bat Savitri Ganga Dusshera Janopunya Nanda Devi Rajjaat Chippla Jaat Hilljatra Kandali Holi Depaawali