Traditional Fairs and Festivals Celebrated in Uttarakhand

The diversity of India can be felt and witnessed from the southern - most tip of Kanyakumari to the snowy crown of the Himalayas. Every state here has its own personality, beliefs, festivals and even cuisines and deserts! This is what makes India a vibrant landmass of various hues of heritages and cultures. The hilly state of Uttarakhand is no exception in this case. Their age old beliefs and heritages which they celebrate with great zeal and enthusiasm have managed to keep the Pahadi population closely knit. They believe in respecting and celebrating the gift of nature and have dedicated a number of their local festivals to honor it. Every season change here is welcomed with open arms and a grand celebration among the locals. Festivals of Uttarakhand are a way of life and give people another reason to socialize and bond with each other while at the same time being thankful for their bountiful produce. Visiting this state during the months of festivals is the best way to enjoy the charm of Uttarakhand. You will be able to take a closer look into their intriguing lifestyle, delectable local food and sweets and be a part of the festivities.

Here are a few local festivals which are celebrated with great love, devotion, enthusiasm and a deep feeling of happiness:

Nanda Devi Mela

Organized in the Uttarakhand regions of Almora, Nainital, Bhowali, Bageshwar, Kot Bhramri and even the far away villages of Johar, this festival is a major celebration for the Pahadi population of Uttarakhand which takes place annually during the month of September. The main Mela is held in Almora and is being celebrated since the time of Chand kings who had ruled these regions during the 11^th century. One of its rulers king Dyot Chand is responsible for having built the Almora Nanda Devi temple who was their family goddess. In order to pay their respect to the goddess the fair takes place each year around this temple which lasts for 5 to 7 days. People perform traditional Kumaoni dances to their cultural music and create a whole festive aura.

Phool Dei

This has to be without a doubt one of the most colorful way of celebrating the onset of the spring season in Uttarakhand. Popularly known as the harvest festival this vibrant fair takes place during the first day of the auspicious Hindu month of Chaitra. To mark this festival young girls go from one home to another in their village with plates filled with rice, jiggery, coconut, flowers and green leaves while singing a traditional song with the words – “Phool Dei, Chamma Dei, Deno Dwar, Bhur Bhakar, Vo Dei Namashkar, Puje Dwar”. They then place these flowers on the entry way of the house and in return they are given sweets, money and jiggery.

Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra

Popularly known as the Himalayan Mahakumbh this is a festival where Goddess Nanda Devi is worshipped by people from both Garhwal and Kumaon divisions. Although this is a local celebration but this Yatra is attended by people from far and wide as well. As per Hindu mythology Goddess Nanda Devi is believed to be the daughter of the ruler of mountains and consort of Lord Shiva. This festival takes place for duration of almost 3 whole weeks and is celebrated every 12 years. The Yatra takes place from Nauti village which is located at a distance of 25 km from Karnaprayag to the high glacial lake of Roopkund amongst great celebration.

Khatarua

Typically celebrated among the pastoral - agricultural communities of the hilly tracts during the first day of the sacred month of Ashwin (which usually falls on mid - September, signifying the onset of the autumn months), this festival is celebrated to mark the importance of animals in their lives. During this day people light bonfires, dance around it in traditional music while holding and waving colorful flags. People take some special care of their animals during this day and offer cucumbers to the fire of Khatarua. This practice is believed to destroy all negative and evil influences. Another reason for its celebrations lies in the fact that the king of Kumaon had killed the Garhwali raja and achieved victory over him.

Uttarayani Festival

This festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Uttarakhand regions of Bageshwar, Kapkot, Bharadi etc. This festival takes place in the 2^nd week of January annually on the sacred day of Makar Sankranti. The venue of the fair if the holy grounds of the temple of Bagnath right on the banks of the holy river Saryu. This Mela also marks the movement of the sun from the southern to the northern hemisphere and taking a holy dip in the river is considered to be an enriching and a sacred activity that cleanses you of all your sins. The fair displays the rich cultural Uttarakhandi souvenirs that are locally prepared like - copper vessels, baskets, bamboo items, carpets, blankets, herbs, spices and so much more all of which is set against the backdrop of the rhythmic singing of traditional songs.

Ghee Sankranti

Also locally known as Olgia festival this celebration of good will takes place during the first day of the month of August or Bhado. Ever since time immemorial this festival is being celebrated by the local Pahadi communities in order to mark and celebrate the good health of their animals and the full blossom of their crops. During this time the trees are laden with fully grown fruits, the flowers are in full blossom and the animals are in their prime state of health. They do this with an aim of showing their gratitude to their prosperity. The occasion is marked by exchanging of the gifts which the agriculturists and artisans present to their land owners and customers like ghee, axes, binai, metal caliper, datkhocha and even firewood.

Hiljatra

This unique festival is concentrated primarily in the district of Pithoragarh where the celebration focuses on three different phases of goat sacrifice, drama and traditional folk and dance performances. Associated mostly with the farming communities this festival was later on embraced by the people from Bajethi and Askot regions. The regional god that is worshipped is in the form of a white clothed deer. The three main phases of this festival include the ritual of worship and sacrifice the goat followed by a dramatic representation of agricultural and pastoral activities and finally ending with singing of the hymns in traditional styles and language.

Kangdali

Celebrated with great zeal by the rung tribe of the district of Pithoragarh this festival commemorates the defeat of the army of Zorawar Singh who had attacked this region. The plant of Kangdali is uprooted along with the rhythmic singing of the traditional Kumauni folk songs and music. The festival is placed between the months of August and October every 12 years and the women actively participate in this celebration by cladding themselves in traditional clothing and uprooting the Kandali flowers and plants that falls on their way and taken back to their homes as a souvenir of the war. The rich and spell binding history of this festival is what makes it even more special.

Bissu Mela

This Mela showcases the colorful and varied cultural hues of the ethnic tribe of Dehradun called Jaunsari. This week long celebration marks the produce of good harvest and prosperity that takes place among the carnatic beauty of Santoora devi temple. This ethnic Pahadi tribe finds its roots in the pandavas from the Mahabharata and as per the Hindu calendar this Mela is welcomed amidst the Shukla Paksha during the auspicious month of Chaitra. The celebration involves a fun time which is represented by rhythmic swaying and singing of energetic folk music of Uttarakhand. The main motive of these festivals is to keep their traditional and cultural heritage intact which can be passed on to the future generations.

Magh Mela

Known to be one of the most popular fairs to take place in the district of Uttarkashi this festival attracts a large number of tourists during this time. As per the name suggests the festival takes place in the winter month of January and has its dates fixed from 14^th January to 21^st January. The Dolis and palanquins carrying the Hindu gods and goddesses from different parts of the state are brought to the Ramlila ground. During the Mela pilgrims from various different regions visit this place for a holy dip in the sacred water of river Ganga. The people of Uttarakhand take this opportunity to display their local handicraft skills and produce. All of this takes place along with a combination of continual and rhythmic beating of the drums which creates an ambience of spirituality. the traditional culture and folk lifestyle is clearly represented during this month and another feature which attracts a number of visitors to this fair is the fact that the nearby meadow of Dayara Bugyal is converted into a skiing ground.