Fairs and Festivals in Uttarakhand

The spirit of gratitude is seen in abundance in the people of Uttarakhand, their fairs and festivals clearly display their thankful hearts and zeal to conserve the surroundings. In early days when the means of transport was scarce, relatives living far away from each other found fairs and festivals as an ideal opportunity to greet each other. In Uttarakhand, people welcome each season with a grateful heart and organize several large scale festivals around the state. Fairs and festivals in Uttarakhand are a way of life, the people of the state equally rejoice for small and big accomplishment, always paying respect to nature's abundance and nurturing the bond of unconditional love amongst each other. The agricultural bounty was another reason for people to celebrate; whereas, the moving of the Sun from the southern hemisphere to the north also gives the people a chance to make merry. Being the Earthly Abode for Gods; the state celebrates few festivals that are exclusive to the state. Praying for the deceased calls in for a small level of festivity itself, whereas, the grandest of all celebration is seen in the form of Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand. Festivals are indeed the ideal time to enjoy tourism in Uttarakhand,

it is infact the perfect time to capture all the colours of the state and learn about rituals and traditions that are interesting but are still unheard in the country. The two distinct regions of Uttarakhand, Kumaon and Garhwal, enjoy varied fairs and festivals along with several similar celebrations around the year. The state is seen celebrating numerous fairs like Sharadotsav, Baikunth-Chaturdashi Mela, Gindi Mela, Gauchar Mela, Auli Festival, Nanda Raj-Jat, Binsar Mela, Hariyali Devi Mela, Nanda Devi, Uttarayni and festivals like Basant Panchami, Bhitauli, Harela, Phool Dei, Batsavitri, Ganga Dusshera, Dikar Puja, Olgi or Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, Ghuian Ekadashi, Hilljatra, Kumaoni Holi,Kandali, Janopunyu and Ghughutia. Thus, one can calculate each day in the lives of the people of Uttarakhand a celebration day. People are seen preparing for the festivities and greeting each other with sweets, flowers, special grass blades and Roli Tikaa adorned with Rice. Inarguably, the varied festivity in Uttarakhand at regular intervals celebrated with pure hearts and selfless motives are the things that have kept the people of the state content, grateful and ofcourse prosperous.

Popular Fairs & Festivals in Uttarakhand

  • Nandadevi Mela

    A major religious fair in the Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand, Nanda Devi Mela is a way to revere the much-loved Goddess of the state and is a perfect venue to catch a glimpse of rural traditional art & craft... Read more

  • Purnagiri Mela

    Held in the famous Shri Poornagiri Temple in Uttarakhand, this colourful and sacred festival commemorate Goddess Sati. The fair that is held at Annapurna Peak is colourful and offers panoramic view of the surrounding Himalayas...Read more

  • Syalde Bikhauti Mela

    Famed for its Oda Bhetna ritual, Syalde Bhikauti Mela is held has two venues for the visitors to mark their presence. Offering a melange of folk culture and religious sentiments, this fair is a perfect reflection of Uttarakhand...Read more

  • Phool Dei Festival

    A significant harvest festival in Uttarakhand, Phool Dei is a reverence paid to the gods for the good crop year. It is on this occasion little girls decorate the threshold of the houses with freshly picked flowers...Read more

  • Uttarakhandi Holi

    A colourful festival made more colourful with distinct folk songs and music, Uttarakhandi Holi marks the state’s rich culture and a specific style to do things differently...Read more

  • Harela and Bhitauli Festival

    Celebrated four times in the year in the Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand, Harela and Bhitauli marks itself an important folk festival in which prayers are offered for prosperity of crops...Read more

  • Ganga Dussehra Festival

    Commemorating the descent of River Ganga on Earth, this religious festival is when the devotees have an opportunity to take a dip in the water of this holy river in Haridwar and Rishikesh... Read more

  • International Yoga Festival Rishikesh

    A modern-day festival that celebrates the ancient practice of Yoga in Rishikesh. International Yoga Festival proffers an idea of the popularity of this unmatched art... Read more

  • Ghee Sankranti

    Marking the harvest season, Ghee Sankranti in Uttarakhand is a way to demonstrate gratitude for the agricultural prosperity. It is also a festival of savouring delectable Ghee-prepared dishes as well...Read more

  • Hill Jatra

    Observed especially in the Pithoragarh District, it is a traditional festival that involves celebration in three phases with goat sacrifice, drama and folk songs performances...Read more

  • Kangdali Festival

    Celebrated by the Rung Tribe of Pithoragarh District, Kangdali is a festival that commemorate the defeat of Zorawar Singh’s army. The festival celebration includes singing folk songs and uprooting of Kangdali plant...Read more

  • Kanwar Yatra

    With the onset of Shravan, witness the ardent devotees of Lord Shiva carrying pots barefeet all the way to the celestial Hindu pilgrimage sites of Uttarakhand to take the holy Ganga water back home...Read more

  • Bissu Mela

    Revel in the cultural hues of Jaunsari tribe of Dehradun and taste life the Garhwal way in their week long fair which celebrates good harvest and prosperity in the carnatic beauty of Santoora Devi Temple...Read more

  • Magh Mela

    Unwind in the spiritual aura of Uttarkashi by dipping in the holy river and take back home a tinge of Uttarakhand from the auspicious mela celebrated extensively from Makar sankranti...Read more

  • Nanda Devi Raj Jat

    Commemorating the journey of Goddess Nanda to the Nanda Devi Parbat, this popular 3-week arduous pilgrimage journey in Uttarakhand is reckoned to be an important event in a life of a Hindu devotee...Read more

  • KumbhMela at Uttarakhand

    Enlighten your senses in sacred Haridwar during KumbhMela, which has been recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Joined by millions of pilgrims for a dip in the blessed River Ganga, KumbhMela is world’s largest religious human gathering...Read more

  • Uttarayani Mela

    Held at several places in Kumaon Region, UttarayaniMela marks the moving of sun from Southern to Northern Hemisphere. This bright traditional fair is also an excellent venue to witness the rich culture and art of the region...Read more

Uttarakhand Travel Information at a Glance