Fairs And Festivals
Fairs and festivals have always been an integral part of life in Uttranchal. These fairs and festivals are celebrated with much pomp and gaiety. For the people of Uttranchal, these festivals are popular occasions for social interaction. Being a land of temples, fairs and festivals come naturally to its culture and have been passed from one generation to another since centuries. Makar Sankranti, Basant Panchmi, Phool Dei, Harela and Bhaitauli, Olgia, Khatarua, Bat Savitri, Ganga Dusshera are some of the prime festivals of Uttranchal. At such auspicious occasions, the congregations at the places of worship gather in thousands and the festival is usually converted into a f
air.
Almora
Jageshwar is located 34 kms from Almora. There is an ancient Shiva temple at Jageshwar. This temple is surrounded by huge fur trees. In fact, this temple is in the series of ancient temples which were built in Kumaon region many centuries ago. The Jageshwar Shiva temple carries archaeological importance too. the architecture of this temple is worth giving a close examination
Doona Giri Mela Ranikhet
52 kms from Ranikhet, famous for its temple dedicated to Durga Devi. The temple bears an inscription dating back to 1181 A.D. This temple attracts great number of pilgrims, during the fair days at Navratri.
Dwarahat
38 kms from Ranikhet on the Badrinath road, was once the seat of the Katyari kings who are said to have ruled from the Great Himalayas to the plains. It is now famous for its 55 temples divided into 8 groups dating from the 11the century and have some fascinating stone carvings.A 5 kms walk from Dwarkhat, or 15 kms away by road, is Dunagir with view of the Himalayas . there is also Durga temple built in 1181 A.D.
Kasar Devi Mela
The picturesque old part of the town is the venue for a fair held twice a year during the summer and winter months. Swami Vivekananda came to Almora and gained enlightenment in a small cave at Kasar Devi
Bageshwar Uttaryani Fair
Every year Uttaryani Fair is organised on the occasion of Makar Sankranti (Janurary 14th). The fair attracts huge crowds of devotees, as this place believed to be as pious as a holy dip in the Ganges at Varanasi. The confluence of rivers Saryu, Gomti & Bhagirathi have been regarded as a sacred place of pilgrimage for ages. More than 50,000 devouts bathe in this holy confluence on the occassion of Uttarayani festival.
Kartik Purnima
This fair is held on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik.Dussehera Fair Organised by the local people this 10 day long fair is held during the Dussehera.
Pithoragarh Purnagiri fair
Purnagiri is located on the top of a hill and is 20 kms from Tanakpur. It is on the right bank of the river kali. A number of fairs takes place here during Navratras, when devotees in a large number come from surrounding areas to have a Darshan and worship the Goddess Purnagiri.
The fair starts from Vishuwat Sankranti and continues for about forty days.PoornaGiri Temple : The sacred shrine atop the Poornagiri hill is 20 kms from Tanakpur and 92 kms from Champawat. Large number of devotees visit the shrine from all over the country, especially during the Chaitra Navratri in the month of March - April.The area reverberates with the holy chants of devotees climbing the hill. River Kali flows from here and is known as Sharda in the plains
Devidhura Fair
This fair takes place at Varahidevi temple in Devidhura, situated at the border of Almora, Pithoragarh and Nainital districts. It is held every year on the day of Raksha Bandhan. A unique feature of this fair is the image of Goddess Varahi kept in a locked brass casket.
The casket is taken out in a procession to a nearby mountain spring where a blindfolded priest ritually bathes the image and puts it back in the casket. The Goddess is worshipped whole night and the next morning an exciting ' Bagwaal' fair takes place.
The event is marked by two groups of people fighting a battle in front of the temple, throwing stones at each other, while they try to protect themselves by using big roof-like shields. Thousands of people gather to watch this event. The fighting stops soon after the priest appears and both sides meet and reconcile.
Dehradun Jhanda Fair
Jhanda Fair is held every year at the historic Guru Ram Rai Darbar in Dehradun City on the sacred memory of the Guru. The fair begins with putting up a new Jhanda ( Flag) on the staff located in the compound of the historic complex. Besides local people,a large number of devotees turn up from Punjab,Haryana,Delhi,U.P.and Himachal Pradesh etc.
Tapakeshwar Fair
Tapakeshwar is a legendary place located on the eastern bank of the river Tons. Lord Shiva is the reigning deity of the ancient temple located here in a cave. In the Skandapurana, this place has been referred to as Deveshwara. It is believed that during Dwaparyuga, this place was abode of Guru Dronacharaya who lived here with his family. Since then, the cave was known as Drona Gufa. One of the famous heroes of Mahabharat and son of Guru Drona, Ashwathama was bo
rn here .
Haridwar Kumb Mela
Hindu festivals are celebrated here with pomp and gaiety, it is the Ardh Kumbh and Kumbh Mela which attracts the mind of any tourist to this place.The history of Kumbh Mela dates back to the creation of the Universe legends. Mythology states that the Gods and the demons once churned the ocean to retrieve the Kumbh (pot) containing nectar of immortality (Amrit). As Dhanvantri, the divine healer appeared with the Kumbh containing nectar in her palms, a great fight followed between the Gods and the demons to wrist the pitcher
Kanvad mela
Ten days before Shivteras (during the months of Shravan and Phagun) thousands of devotees throng to Haridwar to collect holy waters of the river Ganga. Then they carry it back to their hometown and offer it at the local Shiv temple. Colourful shops spring up and Haridwar resounds to th
e chanting of hymns
Nanda Devi Fair of Nainital
This fair is held in Nainital in the month of September every year.Among other things,a number of cultural programmes are organised on this occasion.
Hariyali Devi Fair
This fair is held during July on the occasion of Harela.
Ranibagh Fair
This fair is held at Ranibagh, about 30 kms from Nainital on the occasion of Uttarayani every year. It has immense religious importance. A number of programmes are organised attract visitors.
Chhota Kailash Fair
This fair takes place in February every year on the occasion of Shivratri. This is a religious fair, and reflects the rich and varied culture and tradition of the area.
Garjia Devi Fair
This fair takes place around the Garjiadevi Temple in Ramnagar. A large number of people from nearby area turn up in this fair to have a Darshan of Garjiadevi
District Tehri chandrabadni Fair
This fair has a legendary background. Gautam Rishi used to go for a sacred bath in the Ganga every morning. For him, this had become part of his everday life.Once, the king of Gods- Indra asked Surya ( Sun) as to who was the most beautiful woman on the earth.
The Sun parried the question and said " Most of people are busy in their work when I shine during the day and it is very difficult for me to judge as to who is ugly and who is beautiful". Indra asked the same question to Chandradev ( Moon God) who said that Ahilya, the wife of Gautam Rishi resding at the confluence of Yamuna and Tamsa was the most beaytiful woman on the earth. Hearing this, Indra was overtaken by evil and lust and made up his mind to aquire Ahilya 
by hook or crook.
Kunjapuri Fair
This fair is held in October every year during Navratras at Narendra Nagar. Over fifty thousand people gather here to participate in various activities. Display of skill and strength by the youth, handicrafts and handmade articles are main attractions of this fair.
District Pauri Baikunth-Chaturdashi Mela
On the occasion of 'Shukla Chaturdashi' of Kartik month, also called 'Vaikunth Chaturdashi', a fair is organized at the Kamleswar Mahadev Temple of Srinagar which is not only for recreations & entertainments but also attached with some traditions. On the night of 'Vaikunth Chaturdashi', this temple witnesses scores of childless couples praying with lighted 'Diya' for fertility. It is said that Lord Shiva always answers their prayers. Earlier, this fair was organized for single day in the temple campus. Now, it is extended to five days by 'NagarPalika, Srinagar' with including a number of other activities.
Sharadotsava
Sharadotsava is celebrated every year in the headquarters of the Pauri district. It is organized for about 5 days to one week during October-November.Many cultural teams of Uttaranchal participates in this festival.Various types of exhibitions are also held.Local souveniers,cuisines etc. are also available for tourists and visitors during this festival. 
Binsar Mela
Every year on 'Vaikunth Chaturdashi' & 'Kartik Purnima', a two days 'Binsar Mela' is organized at 'Bindeswer Mahadev' temple situated at the remote & district border area between 'Chauthan Patti' & 'Dhoodatoli' forests in which people from different areas of the Districts Pauri, Chamoli, Almora and Rudraprayag are participated and worshipped God Shiva. Because of this, the fair witnesses a fine mixture of cultural heritages of Garhwal & Kumoun regions. On this occasion, the people are assembled and participated in cultural programmes in which 'Pandav' & 'Chaufula' dances,'Mangal' & 'Khuded' songs etc. are performed on the rhythm of traditional musical instruments by awakening whole night.
District Uttarkashi
Magh Mela
Magh Mela takes place on the occasion of Makar Sankranti ( January) in Uttarkashi every year. It is an important event of the district from religious, cultural and commercial point of view. A large number of local people and tourist participate in the mela, with many pouring in from different parts of Kumaon, Garhwal and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Makar Sankranti
This fair of Uttarkashi is the most famous fair of the entire Bhagirathi valley. During this fair the local deities of the surrounding areas are brought in a procession to Uttarkashi. They are bathed in the Bhagirathi river and after that they are taken to pay respects at the Vishwanath temple.
District Udham Singh Nagar Ataria Fair
This fair is organised during March- April every year at Ataria during Navratras. The fair is marked by great festivities. Folk dances and local handicrafts are the main attractions of this fair.
Chaiti Fair
This fair takes place at Chaiti in Kashipur during Vasant Navratras. A large number of people including those from far-flung areas participate in this fair.
Terai Utsav
An attractive fair is organised at Rudrapur to reflect the diversity of the culture and traditions of the people living in the Terai area.
