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Famous Fairs and Festivals Of Uttarakhand
The fairs and folk festivals of Uttarakhand are very colourful and distinctive, and are the blend of various natural, social and cultural factors. The people of Uttarakhand also celebrate all the major Indian festivals. The religious, social and cultural urges of the people of Uttarakhand 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 Uttarayani Fair :–The Uttarayani fair is a very important fair to the cultural and social fabric of Uttarakhand. It is organised at not one but many places throughout the land of Uttarakhand.However it's Bageshwar where maximum crowds gather, though all are important from cultural, social and economic point of view. Today it's an important commercial center. Items like iron and copper pots, baskets, casks, bamboo articles, mats, mattresses, carpets, blankets, herbs and spices are traded during the fair. Whole night local music and dance festivals are organised here. |
Nanda Devi Fair :–Nanda Devi is the patron goddess of people of mountains. The Nanda Devi fair is held at many important cities. The fair started in Kumaon region during the time of Kalyan Chand in 16th century. The fair is very important and sees visitors from far-flung areas. Rich with folk expression, the Nanda Devi fairs are also important from economical point of view. This is one of the most popular festivals of Uttarakhand. People from all the remotest corners of the state as well as the country comes to participate in this festival in which the main deity of worship is Goddess Nanda Devi. Worship, traditional dances and the ritual of collecting Brahkamals form a main feature of this grand festival. |
Basant Panchami :–Basant Panchmi is a very famous festival, celebrated not only in Uttarakhand but in the whole of North India.This is one of the most important religious festivals of Uttarakhand and celebrates the coming of the spring season. The festive season marks the end of the winters which symbolizes death and decay. It usually falls in the Hindu month of Magh.The people worship Goddess Saraswati with much veneration. The locals adorn themselves in yellow outfits and some even put yellow ‘tikas’ on their foreheads. This festival marks the onset of spring season. It is celebrated between the months of January and February. On the occasion of Basant Panchmi, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. |
Bat Savitri :–The festival is celebrated on the last day of the dark half of the month of Jyeshtha according to Hindu calendar. Women worship Savitri who with her intense devotion brought her husband from death and observe fats. They also worship a holy tree called Bat or Banyan tree. On this special day the married females worship Savitri and Bat or Banyan tree to seek blessings for the welfare and the prosperity of their beloved husbands. The married women also observe a fast for the whole day in remembrance of Savitri and Satyavan and also remember how Savitri with her extreme dedication saved her husband from the scrabble of death.The Bat Savitri festival is generally celebrated on the last day of the dark half of the month of Jyeshtha, according to the Hindu calendar. |
Bhitauli :–This festival of Uttarakhand is celebrated in the month of Chaitra.it falls on the very first day of Shravan and is celebrated with much pomp and show all over the state. It is a grand festival of sharing gifts from the brothers to their sisters. The religious rites and rituals during this festival are celebrated with much veneration. |
Chhipla Jaat :–This is one of the main festivals of Chhiplakot situated in the heartland of Kali and Gori rivers. This much-awaited festival expresses different aspects of human faith. The religious rites and rituals include barefoot journey, bath, worship, traditional songs and dances, collective food and the possession of the body of Bonia by the folk God are the essential parts of this festival. |
Makar Sankranti :–Uttarayani fair is held around this time. Another locally celebrated festival around this time is Ghughutia or Kale Kauva. People make sweetmeats of flour and jaggery and make it in the shape of pomegranates, swords and knives and other such interesting shapes. A necklace is made with these then with an orange in the centre. Little children wear these and go out to attract crows and other birds and offer them pieces from their necklaces.
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