Fairs and Festivals

Festivals of almost all the religions are celebrated in U.P. The composite culture of the State is famous all over India. Various communities celebrate as many as 40 festivals with gaity and complete communal harmony. Sheetla Ashtami, Raksha Bandhan, Vaishakhi Purnima, Ganga Dashahara, Naag Panchami, Krishna Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Vijaya Dashmi, Deepawali, Kartik Purnima, Makar Sankranti, Vasant Panchami, Shivaratri and Holi are the main festivals of the Hindus. I'd, Moharram, Bakr-I'd, Barawafat and Shab-e-Barat are the major Muslim festivals. New Years Day, Good-Friday, Easter and Christmas are the prominent festivals of the Christians. Buddha Purnima for Buddhists, Mahavir Jayanti for Jains, the birthday of Guru Nanak, Martyr's day of Guru Teg Bahadur and Vaishakhi are the famous festivals of the people of Sikh faith

Kumbh Mela At Haridwar :

India has been attracting the whole world with her rich cultural heritages and spirituality. The renowned Kumbh Mela is a unique blend of all these. Haridwar Kumbh has its importance as the last Kumbh of this century.

The Kumbh and the Ardh Kumbh

Fairs are held periodically, every twelve and six years in Haridwar where a large number of pilgrims and devotees get together to,commemorate the churning of the ocean by the Devas (Gods) and Asuras (Demons) to obtain nector (Amrit).when the coveted Kumbh (jar) of nector was obtained one of the Devas stopped at four places viz. Haridwar, Prayag, Nasik and Ujjain before he finally arrived safely at heaven. A few drops of this nector is supposed to have spilled in the water in these four places. Sages, saints and pilgrims started periodically to flock to these Tirths to celebrate this divine event by taking dips in the holy rivers. It is an unique event that blends religious and social features of Indian society.

Nanda Devi Mela

A fair of great religious and cultural significance is held at Nanda Devi Temple in September to commemorate the memory of Goddesses Nanda and Sunanda. It is said to have started in Kumaon during the reign of Raja Kalyan Chand in the 16^th century.

Nanda means prosperity and well being. Nanda Devi Mela is held as a symbol of prosperity, both material and spiritual, of the hill regions. The Nanda Devi Melas are held at Almora, Nainital, Nauti, Dandidhara, Munsyari and Ranikhet, of which the Almora and Roopkund fairs are the most famous.

Shravan Mela, Jageshwar, Almora

Jageshwar lying in the beautiful Jatganga valley, housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India, is a complex of 12 temples in all. Two large fairs are held at Jageshwar, one at the occasion of Shivratri and the other in the month of Shravan (July-Aug). 

Doonagiri Mela, Almora

Situated at an elevation of 2116 mts. Above sea level, Gananath is 47 kms. From Almora and is known for its natural landscape. A fair is held here every year on Kartik Poornima (Oct./Nov.) when thousands of pilgrims come to worship Lord Shiva and Ganesh. 

Dwarahat Mela, Almora

Situated in the wide valley of Ram Ganga (West), Dwarahat is 38 kms. from Ranikhet having a cluster of old temples. A huge fair is organized every year on Baisakhi day.

Kasar Devi Mela, Almora

The picturesque old part of the town is the venue for a fair held twice a year during the summer and winter months. It is said that Swami Vivekananda gained enlightenment in a small cave at Kasar Devi in Almora.

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