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Fairs and
Festivals have always been a very integral part of the
life of Indians. The state of Uttaranchal is no exception.
The Fairs and Festivals in Uttaranchal add a great deal of
color to the lives of the people living in the state. The
lofty Himalayan peaks, the lush green valleys, the rivers
which meander their way through these valleys combine to
create a serene and spiritual ambience. As a result there
are many temples in Uttaranchal and these temples go on to
become excellent venues for the fairs and festivals. It is
a time when people come together to express their joys and
participate in the revelry. They are indeed celebrated
with a great deal of pomp and grandeur. The joyous
ambience lights up everyone’s mind. The unrestrained merry
making is like a breath of fresh air which rejuvenates
them to face the challenges of life anew. The Fairs and
Festivals in Uttaranchal also help us to peep into the
rich cultural tradition of the land. |
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The daily
lives of Uttaranchali women are crowded with a never-ending
succession of festivals, most of them involving fasts and the
preparation of special foods.
Different Fairs and Festivals in Uttaranchal :
A large number of Fairs and Festivals are celebrated in
Uttaranchal. If you are interested in knowing in details about
the different Fairs and Festivals in Uttaranchal, you can
browse through the following links :
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| Fairs
in Uttaranchal |
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Kumbh Mela
The origin of the festival
kumbh mela lie in the ancient belief in the conflict
between the gods and the demons over the possession of the
"Amrit Kumbh", a pitcher filled with nectar.
Read more about kumbh mela... |
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Jauljibi and Thal Fairs
Fairs and festivals are a pleasant change to the daily
routine lives that we lead. The Jauljibi and Thal Fairs in
the Pithorgarh district of Uttaranchal are matchless
because both these places throb with life when these fairs
are held. They are the meeting points of three different
cultures.
Read more about Jauljibi and Thal Fairs...
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Uttarayani
Fair
The Uttarayani Fair provides the social and political
workers with an important platform to express their
grievances. It has consequently played a vital role in the
local movements.
Read more about
Uttarayani Fair...
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The
Nandadevi Fair
This cultural carnival is of
immense religious and cultural significance. The term
Nanda means prosperity and well being. If the Nanda Devi
Mela is held with a great deal of pomp and grandeur, it
symbolizes the economic and cultural prosperity of the
region.
Read more about
The Nandadevi Fair...
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Syalde
Bikhauti
It is celebrated on the
Vishuwat Sankranti day and commemorates and ancient
victory. On this day, the Bagwal is held at Syalde Pokhar
in the old town of Dwarahat. People also celebrate the
occasion with music, songs and dancing.
Read more about
The Syalde Bikhauti...
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The
Somnath Fair
The Somnath Fair held on
Vishuwat Sankranti day is celebrated in the Shiva Temple
at Masi, Almora. It is a famous fair of Pali Pachhaun.
Read more about
The Somnath Fair...
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The
Devidhura Fair
This fair is held in the
compound of the Varahi Devi temple at Devidhura on the day
of Raksha Bandhan.Devidhura is situated at a trijunction
of Almora, Pithoragarh and Nainital districts and the fair
is well known for its enchanting folk songs and dances as
also for its Bagwal.
Read more about
The Devidhura Fair...
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The
Jageshwar Fair
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).
Read more about
The Jageshwar Fair...
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The
Purnagiri Fair
Purnagiri is located on the top of a hill and is 20kms.
from Tanakpur. It is on the right bank of the river kali.
A number of fairs take place here during Navratras, when
devotees in a large number come from surrounding areas to
have a darshan and worship the Goddess Purnagiri.
Read more about
The Purnagiri Fair...
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The
Haatkalika Fair
On the ashtami (eighth day
of the month)of the Chaitra and Bhado, a fair is held in
the Kalika temple at Gangolihat. People come with drums
and flags to pay homage to Goddess Kalika. On this day,
animals are sacrificed and offered to the Goddess.
Read more about
The Haatkalika Fair...
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Festivals in Uttaranchal |
Basant Panchmi
Makar Sankranti is a very
auspicious day. It is celebrated throughout the country in
some way or the other with a lot of warmth and intensity.
The state of Uttaranchal is no exception. History of the
Makar Sankranti Festival in Uttaranchal.
Read more about
Basant Panchami... |
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Makar
Sankranti
The sun moves to the
northern hemisphere. It enters the Zodiacal sign of Makar
or Capricorn from the Zodiacal sign of Kark or Cancer.
This movement to the Uttarayana symbolizes that the day of
the Gods have started. So it is the ideal time to do
something.
Read more about
Makar Sankranti...
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Phool Dei
Phool Dei is celebrated on
the first day of the month of Chaitra in mid March and on
this day young girls conduct most of the ceremonies. In
some places this festival is celebrated throughout the
month with the advent of spring.
Read more about
Phool Dei...
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Harela
and Bhitauli
Harela is usually a Kumaoni
festival to mark the coming of the rainy season. The
celebration falls on the month of chiatra and month of
Shravan.
Read more about
Harela and Bhitauli...
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Olgia/Ghee Sankranti
Olgia is celebrated on the
first day of Bhado (middle of August), when the harvest is
lush and green, vegetables are in abundance and the milch
animals very productive.
Read more about
Olgia or Ghee Sankranti...
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Khatarua
Khatarua is essentially the
special festival of pastoral- agricultural society and
celebrated on the first day of the month of Ashwin in mid
September, and signifies the beginning of the autumn.
Read more about
Khatarua festivals...
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Bat Savitri
The Bat Savitri Festival is
celebrated with feelings of great warmth and intensity by
women. On the occasion of Bat Savitri, women observe fast
from the morning. They offer their prayers to Savitri, the
legendary heroine and Bat or Banyan tree.
Read more about
Bat Savitri...
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Ganga
Dusshera/Dasar
During this festival ten
days of the month are devoted to the worship of Holy River
Ganga venerated by the Hindus as a mother as well as a
goddess. Places such as Rishikesh, Haridwar, Garh -
Mukteswar, Prayag, Varanasi etc where Ganga flows hold
special significance on this day.
Read more about
Ganga Dusshera/Dasar...
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Janopunya
The people of Kumaon
celebrate Raksha Bandhan and J anopunyu, the day on which
people change their janeu (sacred thread). On this day the
famous Bagwal fair is held at Devidhura in district
Pithoragarh.
Read more about
Janopunya... |
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Nanda
Devi Rajjaat
The three week long
Nandadevi Rajjaat is one of the world famous festival of
Uttaranchal. People from entire Garhwal-Kumaon as well as
other parts of India and the world participate in
Nandadevi Raj Jat Yatra.
Read more about
Nanda Devi Rajjaat...
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Chippla Jaat
Chippla Jaat in Uttaranchal
is one of the fairs and festivals in Uttaranchal which is
celebrated with much enthusiasm and gusto. It is one of
the fairs that people eagerly wait for the entire year.
Read more about
Chippla Jaat...
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Hilljatra
The Hilljatra, which is
being celebrated in some parts of Pithoragarh district, is
essentially the festival of pastoralists and
agriculturalists. In the developmental process, the aathon
(eighth day of bhado) and Gawra Visarjan also became the
part of Hilljatra.
Read more about
Hilljatra...
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Kandali
The festival begins with the
worship of a Shiva Linga made of barley and buck wheat flour
mixture. Local liquor is traditionally used during this
festival. Every household performs it in a decorated comer of
the courtyard. People pray for prosperity.
Read more about
Kandali...
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Holi
The
Baithki Holi begins
from the premises of temples, where Holiyars (the professional
singers of Holi songs) as also the people gather to sing songs
to the accompaniment of classical music.
Read more about
Holi...
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