Major Fairs and Festivals of Uttarakhand – Part 2
Uttarakhand is famous for its religious traditions, ancient temples, and cultural fairs. In the first part of this article, we discussed many important fairs of Kumaon and Garhwal region such as Nanda Devi Fair, Shravani Fair, Bagwal Fair, Somnath Fair and Poornagiri Fair.
Since the number of fairs celebrated in Uttarakhand is very large, this article is written in two parts. In this second part, you will read about more famous and historical fairs of Uttarakhand which are organized in different districts like Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun, Haridwar and Uttarkashi.
These fairs are connected with faith, local traditions, seasonal festivals, temples, and historical events. Many of these fairs are also known for trade, folk dance, rituals, and unique customs that make Uttarakhand culture special.
In this Part-2 article, we will learn about:
- Jauljeevi Fair
- Thal Fair
- Gochar Fair
- Nunai Fair
- Jhanda Fair
- Piran Kaliyar Fair
- Bhadraraj Fair
- Chandrabadni Fair
- Ranbhoot Fair
- Uttarayani Fair
- Nauta Kauthig
- and many other famous fairs of Uttarakhand
If you have not read Part-1 yet, you can read it here:
👉 Major Fairs of Uttarakhand (Part-1)
Now let us learn about the remaining important fairs of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.
Jauljeevi Fair
Jauljeevi fair is held every year in the month of Kartik at Jauljeevi in Pithoragarh district. This place is located at the confluence of the Kali and Gori rivers. This fair was first started in the year 1914 on the occasion of Margashirsha Sankranti.
People from tribal areas such as Johar, Darma, and Vyas come to this fair with woolen products. They bring items like wool, blankets, carpets, pashmina, and traditional handmade goods. This fair is famous for trade as well as cultural programs.
Chaiti (Balasundari) Fair
Chaiti fair is held every year near Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar district at the temple of Kundeshwari Devi, also known as Balasundari. This fair continues for about ten days.
Goddess Balasundari is considered the Kuldevi of the Chand dynasty kings of Kumaon. On the day of Ashtami, the idol of the goddess is brought to the fair in a palanquin. A golden idol of the goddess is placed in the temple, and devotees worship with great devotion.
During this fair, people from many villages come with Dola and perform worship.
Magh Mela (Uttarkashi)
Magh Mela is celebrated every year in the month of Magh in Uttarkashi city. This fair continues for about one week.
During this time, villagers bring the idols of their local gods and goddesses to the fair. Devotees take bath in the Ganga river and perform worship.
The government also organizes many cultural programs, which include folk dance, music, and traditional performances.
Bissu Fair
Bissu fair is held every year in villages such as Bhutanu, Tikochi, Kiroli, and Menjani in Uttarkashi district. This fair is called Bissu because it is held on the day of Equinox.
This fair is famous for a thrilling traditional game played with bow and arrow. The game begins with the loud sound of Dhol, Damau, and Ranasingha. This game is called Khta Khela.
The players are called Thothris. There are two teams. One team uses bow and arrow, while the other team uses axe. Arrows must be shot below the knee.
Bissu fair is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jaunsar-Babar and Arakot-Bangan areas of Chakrata tehsil in Dehradun.
Gindi Fair
Gindi fair is held every year on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at the temple of Bhatpudi Devi at Dadamandi in Pauri Garhwal district.
On the last day of Paush month, people of Botha village prepare a big leather ball. They go from village to village playing with the ball.
On the day of Makar Sankranti, after worshiping the ball, it is taken to Dadamandi Bagad. When the ball reaches the field, people start trying to capture it. The group that wins takes the ball to its village while dancing happily.
Baikunth Chaturdashi Fair
Baikunth Chaturdashi fair is held every year at Kamleshwar temple in Srinagar of Pauri district.
On this day, the Srinagar market is decorated beautifully. spouses keep a lamp of ghee in their hands throughout the night and pray for children and fulfillment of wishes.
Many devotees come here with faith and devotion.
Danangal Fair
Danangal fair is held every year on the occasion of Mahashivratri at the Shiva temple of Dalgal near Satpuli in Pauri district.
Devotees observe fast on this day and offer prayers to Lord Shiva. A large number of people gather here to take part in the fair.
Chandrabadni Fair
Chandrabadni fair is held every year in the month of April at the temple of Chandrabadni in Tehri district.
This temple is considered one of the four famous Shaktipeeths of Garhwal. Because of this, devotees from many places come to worship here during the fair.
Rann Bhoot Kauthig
Rann Bhoot Kauthig fair is held every year in the month of Kartik in Thela village of the Nailchami region of Tehri.
This fair is organized in memory of the warriors who died in wars during the time of the kings. The fair includes a special ghost dance.
People perform brave acts like walking on swords, touching fire, and showing martial skills, which makes this fair very unique.
Development Fair (Tehri)
Development fair is organized every year in Tehri Garhwal. It is also called Development Exhibition.
In this fair, many government departments display their work. People can see information about agriculture, education, industry, and development schemes.
Hariyali Poora Fair
Hariyali Poora fair is held on the first day of Chaitra month in Nauti village of Karnprayag in Chamoli district.
People of Nauti village worship Nanda Devi as their meditation goddess. Married daughters come to their maternal homes on this occasion.
On the second day, Yagya is performed. Devotees keep fast and pray to the goddess for their wishes.
Gochar Fair
Gochar fair is one of the famous industrial and cultural fairs of Chamoli district. This fair started in 1943 by the then Deputy Commissioner of Garhwal, Baranedi.
The main purpose of this fair was to provide a market for local people to buy and sell goods.
Today, this fair shows the development of Uttarakhand. Agriculture, horticulture, handloom, wool industry, scientific technology, and women’s development schemes are displayed here.
This fair begins on the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Nunai Fair
Nunai fair is held in the Jaunsar area of Dehradun district in the month of Shravan.
This fair is celebrated in the name of shepherds who live in forests with sheep and goats. Shepherds spend the whole year in forests and caves.
When the time of the fair comes, they return to the village and offer sweet bread called Shirva Prasad to Lord Shilguruji.
Takkeshwar Fair
Takkeshwar fair is held at a Shiva temple located in a cave on the banks of the Devdhara river in Dehradun district.
Water drops continuously on the Shivling from the top of the cave. Because of this miracle, people have strong faith in this temple.
A large fair is held here on the day of Shivratri.
Bhadraraj Devta Fair
This fair is held at Bhadraraj temple located on a hill about 15 km from Mussoorie in Dehradun district.
Devotees offer milk to the deity, and traditional dance and music are performed during the fair.
Jhanda Fair (Dehradun)
Jhanda fair begins every year on Chaitra Krishna Panchami, which is the birthday of Guru Ram Rai.
In the year 1676, this festival was first celebrated in his honor. Devotees from Punjab come here every year, and they are called Sangat.
A flag is brought from the Darbar Sahib, and a grand procession is taken out in the city. Thousands of devotees participate in this fair.
Kumbh Mela (Haridwar)
Kumbh Mela is held in Haridwar on the banks of the Ganga every 12 years. Ardh Kumbh is held every 6 years.
It is believed that bathing in the Ganga during Kumbh gives salvation.
Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang also mentioned this fair. According to history, King Harshavardhana performed yajna and charity here during Kumbh.
Piran Kaliyar Urs Fair
A large fair is held every year at Kaliyar near Roorkee in Haridwar district.
Here is the tomb of Sufi saint Hazrat Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir. The Urs is celebrated every year in the month of August.
Devotees from different religions come here, which shows unity and harmony.
Uttarayani Fair
Uttarayani fairs are held on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at many river banks and temples in Kumaon and Garhwal.
The Uttarayani fair of Bageshwar is very famous. In the year 1921, during this fair, people decided to end the Coolie Begar system.
All the papers related to forced labor were thrown into the Saryu river, which became an important historical event.
Major Fairs of Uttarakhand at a Glance
| Fair | Site | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Nanda Devi Fair | Almora | Many places in Kumaon & Garhwal, especially Nanda Devi complex |
| Shravani Mela | Almora | Jageshwar Dham in Shravan |
| Somnath Fair | Almora (Ranikhet) | Animal buying selling |
| Gananath Fair | Almora | Kartik Purnima |
| Syalde Vikhoti Fair | Dwarahat | Vaishakh fair |
| Sripoornagiri Fair | Champawat | Poornagiri Temple |
| Bagwal Mela | Devidhura | Stone throwing ritual |
| Ladi Dhura Mela | Champawat | Pampadevi Temple |
| Maneshwar Fair | Champawat | Sacred rock |
| Nand Shatashi | Nainital | Religious fair |
| Chitra Shila | Ranibagh | Temple fair |
| Sitawani Fair | Ranibagh | Religious fair |
| Thal Mela | Pithoragarh | Baleshwar Temple |
| Jauljeevi Mela | Pithoragarh | Kali-Gori confluence |
| Nagpanchami Fair | Gangoli | Dhaulnag temple |
| Bala Sundari | Kashipur | Kundeshwari temple |
| Magh Mela | Uttarkashi | Ganga bath |
| Bissu Mela | Uttarkashi | Arrow game |
| Gindi Mela | Pauri | Ball game |
| Baikunth Fair | Srinagar | Kamleshwar temple |
| Tadkeshwar | Pauri | Shiva temple |
| Bhuvaneshwari | Pauri | Devi fair |
| Dangal Fair | Pauri | Shivratri |
| Kusnapuri | Tehri | Temple fair |
| Chandrabadni | Tehri | Shaktipeeth |
| Ranbhoot | Tehri | Ghost dance |
| Vikas Mela | Tehri | Exhibition |
| Hariyali Poora | Chamoli | Nauti village |
| Gochar Mela | Chamoli | From Nehru birthday |
| Nunai | Jaunsar | Shepherd fair |
| Tapkeshwar | Dehradun | Shiva temple |
| Chandi Devi | Dehradun | Temple fair |
| Bhadraraj | Dehradun | Hill temple |
| Jiyarani | Ranibagh | Near Kathgodam |
| Piran Kaliyar | Haridwar | Dargah fair |
| Uttarayani | Kumaon/Garhwal | Coolie begar end |
| Nauta Kauthig | Garhwal | Stone war |
Q1. What are the famous fairs of Uttarakhand in Part-2 list?
Some famous fairs included in Part-2 are Jauljeevi Fair, Gochar Fair, Nunai Fair, Jhanda Fair, Piran Kaliyar Fair, Bhadraraj Fair, Chandrabadni Fair and Uttarayani Fair.
Jauljeevi Fair is celebrated in Pithoragarh district at the confluence of Kali and Gori rivers in the month of Kartik. This fair is famous for trade between India and Nepal.
Gochar Fair in Chamoli district is famous for trade, cultural programs and exhibitions. It started during the time of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and is still one of the biggest fairs of Uttarakhand.
Jhanda Fair of Dehradun is celebrated at Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib. Thousands of devotees come to worship the sacred flag every year.
Piran Kaliyar Fair is held in Roorkee near Haridwar at the dargah of Hazrat Sabir Kaliyari. People from different religions visit this fair.
Nunai Fair is celebrated in the Jaunsar region of Dehradun district. It is mainly related to shepherds and local tribal traditions.
Uttarayani Fair is celebrated in many places of Uttarakhand, especially in Bageshwar. This fair is also known for its historical importance related to the end of the Coolie Begar system in 1921.
Major fairs of Uttarakhand are celebrated in Almora, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun, Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Champawat and Nainital districts.
Fairs in Uttarakhand show the religious faith, folk culture, traditions, trade, and social unity of the people. These fairs are an important part of Devbhoomi culture.
The article is written in two parts because Uttarakhand has a large number of fairs. Part-1 and Part-2 together include most of the important fairs of Kumaon and Garhwal.
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