Major Fairs and Festivals of Uttarakhand

Culture, History, Tradition, Religious Fairs of Kumaon and Garhwal

Uttarakhand is known for its religious traditions, cultural heritage, folk customs, and historical fairs. Different regions of the state celebrate many fairs every year. These fairs are connected with temples, seasons, agriculture, devotion, and local traditions. People from villages, towns, and even other states participate in these fairs with great enthusiasm.

Fairs of Uttarakhand are not only religious events, but they are also symbols of social unity, folk dance, music, trade, and traditional lifestyle.

Below is the complete description of the major fairs of Uttarakhand.

Nanda Devi Fair

Nanda Devi fairs are organized every year in many parts of Uttarakhand from the Panchami of Bhadra Shukla Paksha. These fairs are held to worship Goddess Nanda Devi, who is considered the daughter of the Himalaya.

A very large fair is held in the Nanda Devi temple complex of Almora. On the day of Panchami, idols of Nanda and Sunanda are made from banana stem (Kelakham). These idols are worshiped on the day of Ashtami. After the worship, the Dola of Nanda Devi is taken around the market, and people celebrate with devotion.

In Nainital, a fair is also organized in the temple of Naina Devi on the occasions of Kark Sankranti and Makar Sankranti.

Shravani Fair (Jageshwar Fair)

Every year in the month of Shravan, a month-long Shravani fair is held at Jageshwar Dham in Almora district. This fair is also known as the Shivarat Fair of Sain.

In the Jageshwar temple, which was built during the 12th-13th century, women worship throughout the night while holding lamps filled with ghee in their hands. They pray to God for the fulfillment of their wishes.

During this fair, villagers come dancing and singing with the sound of dhol, damau, and hudka. Folk artists perform traditional songs and dances, which makes the fair very attractive.

Somnath Fair

The Somnath fair begins on the last Sunday of the month of Baishakh. It is held in Masi village of the Pali-Pachhaun region, located on the banks of the Ramganga river near Ranikhet in Almora district.

On the first night, Saltia fair is held. On the second day, the Thul Kautik (big fair) takes place, where there is a large amount of buying and selling, especially of animals.

After the big fair, Nan Kautik (small fair) is organized, and on the next day, a market is held. Singers from many places come to participate. Folk dances and songs like Jhoda, Chhapeli, Bair, Chanchari, and Bhagnol are performed during this fair.

Gananath Fair

Gananath fair is held every year on Kartik Purnima in Gananath (Taluka) of Almora district.

It is believed that childless couples who worship here with lamps in their hands throughout the night are blessed with a child. Because of this belief, many devotees come to this fair with faith.

Syalde-Bikhoti Fair

Syalde-Bikhoti fair is held every year in Dwarahat of Almora district. Bikhauti fair is organized on the first day of the month of Baisakh, and Syalde fair is held on the first night.

It is believed that this fair started during the rule of the Katyuri kings.

During this fair, three groups called Aal, Garakh, and Naujula complete the ritual of offering a veil in the Dwarahat market. People from each group come wearing different traditional costumes and bring drums, ransingha, flags, and musical instruments.

Before the fair begins, Baat Puja (way worship) is performed by the Naujula group. Folk dances and songs, especially Jhoda and Bhagnol, are sung during the fair.

Sri Poornagiri Fair

Sri Poornagiri fair is held every year during the Navratri of Chaitra and Ashwin months. This fair takes place at the temple of Goddess Poornagiri, which is located near Tanakpur in Champawat district.

Poornagiri Devi is considered one of the 108 Siddha Peethas of Goddess Bhagwati. Because of this, thousands of devotees come here every year to worship the goddess and seek blessings.

Bagwal Fair (Devidhura)

Bagwal fair is held every year on the day of Raksha Bandhan (Shravani Purnima) at the temple of Maa Varahi Devi in Devidhura of Champawat district.

In the local language, this fair is also called Asadi Kautik.

The main feature of this fair is the tradition of stone throwing, which is called Bagwal. In this ritual, four Khams — Champawat, Walik, Gahadwal, and Lamgadiya — throw stones at each other.

The people who participate in this ritual are called Bagwalis. The stone throwing stops after the priest performs prayers for peace.

This fair teaches unity and harmony, as people forget their enmity and come together.

Ladi Dhura Fair

Ladi Dhura fair is held in the Devi temple of Pamda in Barakot area of Champawat district. This fair takes place on the day of Kartik Purnima.

During this fair, local people worship the deity by lighting sacred fire (Dhuni) in Barakot and Kakargaon. They sing devotional songs throughout the night.

On the next day, the deity is placed in a chariot, and devotees perform circumambulation of the temple.

Maneshwar Fair

Maneshwar fair is held near Mayawati in Champawat district. Near this place, there is a miraculous stone called Maneshwar.

People believe that worshiping this stone keeps animals healthy, especially cows and buffaloes that give milk. Because of this belief, villagers come here to worship every year.

Thal Fair

Dhal fair is held every year on the day of Baisakhi at the Baleshwar Thal temple in Pithoragarh district.

This fair started after the celebration of Jallianwala Day on April 13, 1940. Earlier, this fair used to continue for about twenty days, but today it lasts only for a few days.

➡️ Continue Reading

👉 Major fairs of Uttarakhand are very large in number, so this article is divided into two parts.
In the next part, you will read about Jauljeevi Fair, Gochar Fair, Jhanda Fair, Kumbh Mela, Uttarayani Fair and many more.

✅ Read Part-2 here →
Major Fairs and Festivals of Uttarakhand (Part-2)

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