The people of Uttarakhand express their religious, social, and cultural desires through a variety of fairs, which are in turn strongly tied to the region’s economic activity. The festivals in Uttarakhand helps to preserve a variety of traditional tunes and dances.
When transportation was scarce, these fairs provided a regular occasion for friends and relatives to get together. Despite all of the changes in our society, the people have maintained the tradition of fairs. The fairs of Jauljibi, Thal, and Bageshwar have long been associated with the inhabitants of this region’s economic activities, while the fairs of Dwarahat, Syalde, and Devidhura are significant religious and cultural events.
The Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years in Haridwar on the banks of the sacred Ganges, draws pilgrims from all over the world. Fairs and folk festivals in Uttarakhand are vibrant and distinct, blending a variety of natural, social, and cultural influences.
Uttaranchalis also participate in all of India’s main festivals. Some of most important festivals in Uttarakhand are Basant Panchami, Bhitauli, Harela, Olgi or Ghee Sankranti, Phooldei, Batsavitri, Khatarua, Ganga Dusshera, Ghuian Ekadashi, Dikar Puja, and Ghughutia. Uttaranchali women’s daily life are crammed with a never-ending series of festivals, the majority of which include fasting and the preparation of special delicacies.
Fair and Festivals in Uttarakhand
We, as a best Mumbai travel agency, compile a list of famous festivals in Uttarakhand that you must enjoy while travel.
Dehradun Literature Festival
The Dehradun Literature Festival, created by Samraant Virmani, a well-known social worker, is an annual literary festivals in Uttarakhand that held in Dehradun, India.
Harela
Harela is a Hindu festival that takes place in Uttarakhand and also the festival of Himachal Pradesh in India. Harela is the name given to this celebration, which is particularly popular in Uttarakhand’s Kumaun region. This term is used in some Garhwal locations, although it is not widely used because the event is known as Mol-Sankranti or Rai-Sagrn.
Hariyali/Rihyali is the name given to it in the Kangra, Shimla, and Sirmour regions of Himachal Pradesh, whereas Dakhrain is the name given to it in the Jubbal and Kinnaur regions.
According to the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar, this event is held on the first day of Shravan-Maas (Shravan-Sankranti/Kark-Sankranti). The start of the rainy season is signaled by this festivity (Monsoon). Harela means “Day of Green,” and it is very auspicious for agriculture-based groups in the region because it marks the start of the planting cycle in their fields. This festival also hosts a number of Kauthigs/Thols/Melas (Fairs).
Kandali Festival
Tour to Uttarakhand and explore Kangdali Celebration is a one of the best festivals in Uttarakhand celebrated by the Rung tribe in Pithoragarh district. The blooming of the Kandali plant, which only blooms once every twelve years, coincides with this celebration. Between August and October, it takes place in the Chaundas Valley. It commemorates the defeat of Zorawar Singh’s army, which came from Ladakh to attack this area in 1841.
Kumaoni Holi
The historical and cultural celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi in the Kumaon area of India is known as Kumauni or Kumaoni Holi. It is one of the most important festivals in Uttarakhand for the Kumauni people since it marks the end of the winter season and the beginning of the new planting season, which is extremely essential for this agricultural society in the North Indian Himalayas. It is a synthesis of North Indian cultural traditions with Kumaon’s regional traditions.
The Baithki Holi, the Khari Holi, and the Mahila Holi, all of which begin at Basant Panchmi, are all unique in the Kumaoni Holi since they are all musical affairs.
As a result, the Holi celebrations in Kumaon extend for over two months. The Baithki Holi and Khari Holi are distinct in that the songs that they are built on combine music, fun, and spiritualism. The majority of these songs are based on classical ragas. Nirvan Ki Holi, or Holi of Salvation, is another name for Baithki Holi. Kumauni Holi has distinct traits that set it apart from other Holi festivals around the country. you should enjoy this festival if you go for a holiday packages to Uttarakhand from Lucknow.
Nanda Devi Raj Jat
The Nanda Devi fair is hosted at Almora, Nainital, Kot (Dangoli), Ranikhet, Bhowali, Kichha, as well as in the Lohar (such as Milam and Martoli) and Pindar valleys (like Wachham and Khati). Every year, people in the Pinder valley celebrate the Nanda Devi Jaat (trip), while in Lohar, people travel from all over the world to Danadhar, Suring, Milam, and Martoli to adore the Goddess. Thousands of people participate in the procession carrying Nanda Devi’s dola (or litter) through Nainital and Almora.
The Nanda Devi fairs are supposed to have begun in Kumaon during the reign of King Kalyan Chand in the 16th century. Kot Ki Mai or Kot Bhramari Devi hosts a three-day fair. Every two years, Saneti has a fair. Both of these fairs have a lot of folk art and a lot of local handicrafts for sale.
Ramman
Ramman is an Indian religious event and ritual theatre that takes place in the Garhwal region. It is a Hindu community celebration held in the Saloor Dungra village of the Painkhanda Valley in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli District.
The festival and the eponymous art form are held in the courtyard of the local temple as an offering to the village god, Bhumiyal Devta. The Ramman is unique to the village and has never been duplicated or performed anywhere in the Himalayas.
Uttarakhand Day
Uttarakhand Day, also known as Uttarakhand Divas, commemorates the founding of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Every year on November 9th, it is commemorated (beginning in 2000). Pahadi Peoples from all over the country travel to Uttarakhand at this time.
Virasat (Festival)
Virasat is an Indian cultural festival that honours the country’s diverse cultural heritage. It is the largest folk life and heritage festival in Afro-Asia, and it takes place in Dehradun, India. This week-long festival, organised by Rural Entrepreneurship for Art and Cultural Heritage, features performances and workshops in Indian folk and classical arts, literature, crafts, theatre, cinema, and yoga.
The festival invites maestros of classical music and dance, as well as expert artisans, to perform with the goal of encouraging contact between students, artists, and craftspeople during the first half of the academic year.
