The Himalaya is often referred to as the abode of Gods. Its serene atmosphere, snow clad peaks, swift flowing rivers and green valleys spread over vast areas are touched by a common undercurrent of spirituality. Numerous fairs & festivals are celebrated all overuttaranchal every year. The world famous Kumbh Mela/Ardh Kumbh Mela is held at Haridwar every twelfth/sixth year interval. Other prominent fairs/festivals are Devidhura Mela (Champawat), Purnagiri Mela (Champawat), Nanda Devi Mela (Almora), Gauchar Mela (Chamoli), Baisakhi (Uttarakashi), Maga Mela (Uttarkashi), Uttaraini Mela (Bageshwar), Vishu Mela (Jaunsar Vavar), Peerane-Kaliyar (Roorkee), and Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra held every twelfth year.
The religious, social and cultural urges of the people of Uttaranchal find an expression in various fairs, which are in turn closely linked to the economic activities of the region. Various folk songs and dances have been kept alive because of these fairs. In older times, when means of transport were not so good these fairs were an opportunity for friends and relatives to meet regularly. Inspite of all the changes in our society, the tradition of fairs has been kept up by the people. The fairs of Jauljibi, Thal and Bageshwar have been closely linked with the trading activities of the people of this region, while the fairs at Dwarahat, Syalde and Devidhura are important from the religious and cultural point of view.
On auspicious occasions, these centres of faith turn into venues of fascinating festivals, when people from far and wide gather there to offer their obeisance to the deity and give musical expression to their joy and happiness. The following are the major fairs & festivals of Uttaranchal:
- Jauljibi and Thal fairs : This fair was started since 1914 & every year in November it has been celebrated at Jauljib situated 70 km from Pithoragarh, the confluence ofthen rivers Kali and Gori, which is a meeting place of three different cultures - the Shauka, the Nepali and the Kumaoni. Though this fair is primarily a commercial one, its cultural importance cannot be overlooked. People come even from Nepal to this fair in order to sell horses, ghee and foreign goods and take back foodgrains, jaggery, woolen product, kalein etc.
- The Uttarayani Mela : This fair is held in a number of places
including Bageshwar, Rameshwar, Suit Mahadev, Chitrashila (Ranibagh) and Hanseshwar etc. on Uttarayani day, but Bageshwar Uttarayani mela is much popular then others. This fair is also related with the history of uttaranchal. At Pancheshwar the dola of kumayon comes down to the temple.Its commercial, cultural and political importance is still very high. Goods like iron and copper pots, baskets, casks, bamboo articles, mats, mattresses, carpets, blankets, herbs and spices are sold during this fair.The fair attracts a large number of people, who spend the whole night dancing and singing Jhoras, Chancharis and Bairas.
- The Shravan fair (Jageshwar Mela):Jageshwar, lying in the beautiful Jatganga valley & housing one of the 12 jyotirlingas of India. This fair is held on the fifteenth day of the month of Baishakh (late March or early April) at the Shiva temple in Jageshwar. During the fair people take holy dips in the Brahma Kund (pool) and worship Lord Shiva. On this day, fairs are also held in many other places.
- The Nandadevi fair : In whole Uttaranchal the daughter of Himalaya Nandadevi is been worshiped in various type. There are many river, city, mountain on the name of Nanda. This is only the reason, NandaDevi fair is organised every year in Uttaranchal. In Kumaon this fair is organised in Almora, Ranikhet, Nainital, Milam, Kotbhramri while in Uttaranchal this is organised in Nauty, Devrara, Kumaon, Kalimath. Tthis fair are rich in folk expressions and many village products are brought for sale.
- The Punyagiri fair : On the range of Annapurna the temple of Shri Purnagri organised the fair on Navratri. These ranges are full of nature's beautiful gift. There is rush due to this fair in the market of Ttanakpur.
- Gananath Fair : Gananath is situated 47 km from Almora which is 2116 mt above sea level. the fair is held here every year on Kartik Poornima (Oct./Nov.),When 1000 of pilgrims come to workship Lord Shiva & Ganesh.
- Kumbh (Haridwar):Kumbh is the most religious and great festival that is celebrated in India. In this 60 lac. to 1 corore people come to take bath in holy Ganga. In Hindu religion there are four Kumbh regions- Haridwar, Prayag, Ujjain & Nasik. This festival creates attractiveness among hindus and shows Oneness.
- Ganga Dushera dasar : Ganga Dushera is celebrated on
the Shukla dasami of the Jyestha (May - June). On this day 'Brahmin' use to give Dushera letter to their known persons, This Dushera letter is to be Putted on Doors. The sacred Ganga is worshipped on this day. On this day people bathe in the holy rivers & Brahmins take food and Dakshika fo their known ones.
- Makar Sankranti (Ghughutiya) : According to the Hindu religious texts, on the day of Uttarayani, the sun enters the Zodiacal sign of 'Makar' (Capricon) from the Zodiacal sign of the Kark (Cancer), i.e. from this day onwards the sun becomes 'Uttarayan' or it starts moving to the north. O this festival Crow has to be invited & serve the 'Ghughte' which has been prepared with sweet flour. Children use to wear garlend which is to be prepared by 'Ghugnte', Oranges and peanuts. On this day fairs are also organised. This is the famous festival of kumaon.
- Narela: Narela is the festival which is to be celebrated by kumaonies in 'Sawan'. Before this festival the people use to saw five or seven or nine types of crops like- Weat, Corn, etc. and on ninth day they has to be
reaped. On tenth day harela is to be cut, on this day Lord Shiva-Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikey's statue is to be coloured & harela is to be kept on head.
- Tapkeshwar Mela : In Dehradun, near DevDhara river there is a small temple of Lord Shiva, which is popular in various cities. In this temple there is co-incidently the droplets of water falls on 'Shivling'. On Shivratri there is a great fair organised here.
- Other festivals and fairs : Ghuiya Ekadashi, Krishna Janmasthami, Shivratri, Nandastami, Saton Aathon, Ramnavmi, Nagpanchami (Birur panchami) are also celebrated in different parts of Kumaon. On Nagpanchami the whole Nag region (Berinag, Pingalnag, Basukinag, Kalinag, Feninag, Harinag, Dhaulinag and Nag) worship Nag Devta in Pithoragarh district. The Shaukas worship Nanda Devi in the Johar and Gabla Dev in the Darma, Chaudans and Byans region. Syangthangapujan, Syeemithhumo (atma pujan), Maati (Soil) pooja and Nabu Samo and the KandaU utsav (held once in twelve years) are some of the other festivals of the Shaukas of the Kumaon. The Mostamanu (Pithoragarh) fair held in August - September, the Chaiti fair at Kashipur during which Talsundhari is worshipped, the fair of Jahraulia Peer at Kashipur, the Shiva Mela at Ataria (Rudrapur) on the day of Purnamasi in the month of Chaitra; the fairs at Nanakmatta, Saneti, Sanigaar, Berinag, Wadda (Chaupakhia), Dharchula and Tapovan; the Shivratri fair at Bhikiasen and Salt Mahadev; the Devi fair at Deghat and Kalanka (at Almora - Pauri border, once in three years); the Krishna Janmastami fair at Kalapani and Gunji; the Kanar Devi fair (above Baram in Gori valley); the Hokaradevi fair at Birthi; the Dhanlek fair at Askot; the Lachher fair near Nainipatal are some of the important fairs, which playa major role in the social and cultural lives of the people of Kumaon. In all these fairs one can feel the coexistence of the forces of continuity and change in Uttaranchali culture.& Uttaranchal also celebrate all the major Indian festivals like Holi, Navratri, Diwali, etc.