Uttarakhand Family Tour Packages

Kumbh Mela is one of the biggest and the most popular festivals in Uttarakhand. Although technically it is a mela or fair, it is a significant occasion for the people of this northern state. It is the largest congregation of pilgrims which involves taking dips in the river of Ganga to rid oneself of one’s sins. Devotees, saints, sadhus, or just onlookers, irrespective of their caste, creed, or gender come from across the nation and even from around the world to bathe themselves in the waters of Ganga, hoping to get rid of the cycle of birth and death. This mela is a 3-month long festival and takes place once every four years rotating between Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik, i.e., only once in 12 years in any one place. The exact date is picked by the Vikrant calendar after elaborate rituals.

Basant Panchami is a festival that celebrates the coming of the Basant or Spring season. It is a significant festival in Uttarakhand. This festival marks the end of winter, a season of death and decay, and is celebrated in the month of Magh or January/ February. The locals dress themselves up in yellow clothing, perform Chounphula and Jhumelia dances and fly kites. They worship Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and prosperity, and the land. Sweet rice is made in almost every home.

 Among the people of Uttarakhand, every season has some festivals, and each festival is celebrated appropriately. Harela is a festival that marks the beginning of the rainy season or monsoon. The people belonging to the Kumaon community celebrate this festival during the month of Shravana, i.e., July-August. Mythologically, this festival commemorates the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati. People make small idols or dikars of gods like Maheshwar, Ganesh. This festival is followed by another, Bhitauli which is celebrated in the month of Chaitra, i.e., March – April. It revolves around agriculture where women sow seeds in the soil and by the end of the festival they reap the harvest which is called harela. This gives them the opportunity to test the quality of their seeds. During this festival, brothers also provide gifts for their sisters.

This festival of colors is a big occasion for the people of Uttarakhand. Holi is celebrated with a lot more fervor in the Kumaon region where the celebrations start as early as Basant Panchami. As per the mythology, Holi marks the triumph of good over evil. Unlike the plains where Holika Dahan (burning of a pyre) is an integral part of Holi, in Uttarakhand, as the crop is not harvested yet, ears of grains are not offered to the holy fire.

• Makar Sankranti is a famous festival celebrated in many states of India. For the people of Uttarakhand, this festival marks the change of season. As per the Hindu religious texts, Makar Sankranti marks the day of Uttarayani, i.e., the sun has entered the zodiacal sign of ‘makar’ (Capricorn) from ‘kark’ (cancer) and has thus started moving towards the north.

On this day, people worship the sun at sunrise and bathe in the river waters. The locals prepare Khichdi and til ka laddoo. The popular fair of Uttarayani also takes place during this time and can be seen easily with our cheap Uttarakhand tour package.

During the time of Makar Sankranti, the festival of Ghughutia or Kale Kauva is also celebrated. The locals prepare sweets made from deep-fried flour in different shapes like knives, swords, etc. By feeding the crows and migratory birds, the locals welcome them and also hope that they come back next year as well. The children also sing songs to attract these migratory birds.

• Phool Dei is a festival that celebrates the year’s harvest and the coming of the spring season. It takes place on the first day of the Chaitra season (March-April) as per the Hindu calendar and is also known as the harvest festival. As the name suggests, it is the time when flowers blossom, and this is accompanied by the ceremonial pudding called dei which is made by the locals using jaggery or gud, curd, and flour. This dish is an integral part of the festival.

Young girls are an integral part of this festival of Uttarakhand. They go from house to house, singing the folk song of ‘Phool Dei’ with offerings of jaggery, rice, and coconut. It is believed that they bless the homes by placing flowers and rice on the doorsteps. In return, the young girls are offered sweets and blessings for their acts.

Ganga Dusshera or Dasar is a festival that celebrates the advent of the holy river Ganga from heaven above. This festival falls on Dashami (tenth day) of the month of Jyeshtha and is a ten-day-long festival. It is observed on the ghats of Ganga in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Allahabad where devotees take a dip in the river water hoping to rid themselves of their sins for ten consecutive days. This is considered a purification act. Darshans are held, and watermelons and kakdi are offered to the deity. Ganga Dusshera is a big festival that attracts a lot of devotees.

• Kandali festival is celebrated by the Rung tribe in the Chaundans valley of Pithoragarh district in the Kumaon division. This Uttarakhandi festival marks the flowering of the flower Kandali which blooms only once in 12 years.

This festival celebrates the defeat of Zorawar Singh’s army, a general of the Sikh Empire who tried to invade this region in 1841. As per the local stories, it was the women who defended this region against the soldiers who tried to loot the villages and hid in the Kandali shrub. In this process, the shrub was also destroyed. Another legend states that a young boy died after applying the Kandali plant on his wounds, and subsequently his mother cursed the plant and ordered the women to rip it out of the ground when it reached its full bloom.

• Bat Savitri is another famous festival in Uttarakhand. During this, married women fast for an entire day for the welfare and prosperity of their husbands and offer prayers to the deity Savitri and a banyan tree or bat.

In the Hindu religion, the Banyan tree is considered holy. The origin of this festival can be traced to the Mahabharata in which Savitri, whose husband Satyavan died within a year of their marriage, fasts and prays, and finally her devotion pays off as her husband returns from the dead. It is under the banyan tree that these acts take place.

This festival takes place on Amavasya (day of the full moon) in the month of Jyestha, i.e., June.

Bearing the name of the temple in which it is held, the Purnagiri Mela is a sacred festival that is celebrated to commemorate Goddess Sati. At an elevation of over 1650m above mean sea level, not only do the vibrant colors bring life to the festival, the picturesque views of the Himalayas that are on display are a sight to behold. In terms of its religious significance, the area in which the Purnagiri Temple is now situated is believed to be the place where the navel of Sati and Savant Prajapati was cut down by the Vishnu Chakra and is also one of the 108 ‘Siddha Peethas’ (sacred) which is visited by pilgrims throughout the year.

• An annual fair that is annually held in the months of April-May in the town of Dwarahat (Almora), the Syalde Bikhauti Mela is held in two phases; the first being held in the Vimandeshwar Temple and the other in the Dwarahat marketplace. During the mela, one can witness folk dances and songs with traditional foliage being adorned by the gathered people. An important ritual, ‘Oda Bhetna’ refers to the striking of the stone (Oda).

As per legend, ancient times saw people worship their deity in a temple nearby and due to some friction between the followers of the two groups, a brawl broke out that lead to bloodshed. The leader of the group that lost the fight was beheaded and a stone (Oda) was placed near it to commemorate the fallen leader. With the numerous traditions on display and the lip-smacking Indian delicacy of ‘Jalebi’ being an integral part of the fair, the Syalde Bikhauti Mela is one of cultural convergence in Uttarakhand tourist places.

Yoga, the age-old Indian science of mental health and physical wellbeing, sees the gathering of thousands of yoga enthusiasts in Rishikesh to celebrate the techniques devised by sages of yesteryear. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, Yoga has changed lives via its holistic techniques. The first edition of the International Yoga Festival was held way back in the year 1999 in the Parmarth Niketan Ashram, under the guidance of Pujya Shri Swami Veda Bharatji but ever since its inception, it has grown leaps and bounds in terms of its attendees. With the 2019 edition set to be held from 1st -7th March 2019, one can be assured to celebrating the various aspects of Indian culture via the Sattvic food, ‘Bhajans’, and ‘Kirtans’ and humble abode, features that are sure to arouse your senses. The true religious spirit of Rishikesh is further celebrated as evenings of the weeklong.

A festival that portrays the gratitude of the locals who earn a living via the occupation of farming by marking the onset of the harvesting season, the Ghee Sankranti is also known as the ‘Olgia’ festival, is celebrated on the first day of the month of August (Bhado); a time wherein the crops are thriving and the milk-laden cattle are ready to be milked. In terms of how the celebration has gradually evolved over the years, the ancient tradition saw nephews and sons-in-law give presents to their maternal uncles and fathers-in-law respectively. However, today’s context is summarised by the fact that agriculturists and artisans give presents to their landowners. Common presents that are exchanged include axes, ghee, datkhocha (metallic toothpick), and firewood. As the name suggests, an important ritual of this festival includes that of eating ghee and chapatis stuffed with urad dal!

The onset of the Hindu month of Shravan (July) marks the commencement of the sacred pilgrimage journey of the ‘Kanwar Yatra’. During the month-long yatra, millions of devotees of Lord Shiva from all over the country make a journey to the banks of the River Ganga (cities like Haridwar, Gangotri, Gaumukh, etc) and carry back sacred water from the river to a Shiva temple. The dedication of the devotees is such that they even carry their deity on a ‘Kanwar’ and travel to the holy river bare feet. Large camps and gatherings can be seen in Haridwar and Gangotri during the yatra with numerous makeshift accommodations that are constructed across the journey for the Kanwarias to rest. The magnanimity of the event can be fathomed when considered that the gathering on the ghats of the River Ganga in Haridwar has been recorded as one of the biggest human gatherings in India.

• Marked as the festival of pastoralists and agriculturalists, the ‘Hill Jatra’ festival was first observed in India in the Kumaour village. The ceremony is related to the ‘ropai’ (the plantation of paddy), for which one must sacrifice a buffalo to please the Gods who will ensure a good yield for the ongoing farming season.

In regards to the actual ceremony, it can be broadly classified under three categories of Uttarakhand tourist places: worship and ritualistic services forming the first set of activities followed by numerous pastoral activities. To conclude the ceremony, songs are recited and people are seen to be wearing marks that express the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand. Traditional dances like that of the ‘Chanchari’ are performed, thereby making the entire festival a wholesome and immersive experience.

Organized in the Chakrata Block of Dehradun, the Bissu Mela is an expansive fair that is celebrated by the Jaunsari tribe, whose origins can be traced back to that of the Pandavas. Celebrated for over the period of a week in virtue of a good harvest season in Uttarakhand, a major attraction of the fair sees villagers from all over gather together to shower their love and affection to ‘Santoora Devi’, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. One can indulge in the cultural diversity by grooving to the folk music wherein men and women sport vivid and flamboyant traditional clothes while bringing to life lost traditions for the younger generations to feast upon.

Also known as the ‘Himalayan Mahakumbh’, this festival marks a commemoration to Goddess Nanda Devi wherein devotees from both the Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Uttarakhand come together to be a part of the sacred yatra. Held for a duration of three weeks and is organized once every twelve years, the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra which spans over 280 km takes almost 22 days to complete. During this yatra, all sections of the society take part- Dalits play drums, Thakurs blow bhankauras, and brahmins take care of ceremonial parasols.

Known to be one of the most popular fairs in the Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand, the Magh Mela is a religious fair that has gradually become an important source of income via tourism. Held during the month of January, (14th-21st January) dolis or palanquins carrying the deity, are seen flocking to the Ramlila Ground where devotees immerse themselves in the river Ganga. A fair that exhibits local produce and handicrafts of local artisans from all over Uttarakhand, in the modern time is not restricted to Uttarkashi district- a skiing ground being prepared in Dayara Bugyal, a premier meadow in India.

The second week of January, the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti marks the onset of the Uttarayani Mela which is held in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand (Bageshwar, Ranibagh, Hanseswari, and so forth). The Bagnath Temple in Bageshwar serves as the ground for the fair which usually spans for a week. Festivities and cultural heritage of the area are illustrated by a plethora of local artists singing Jhoras, Chancharis, and Bairas (folklore). Local produce such as iron and copper vessels, baskets, casks, mattresses, and many more items can be purchased while at the fair.

People of Uttarakhand Believe that Lord Rama returned from his exile 11 days late to the upper hilly regions. This is why they celebrate Egaas, 11 days after Diwali by cooking various delicacies, performing folk dances, and lighting up their homes. People even celebrate by spinning a rope called “Bhailo” with a fire lit at one end.

Bagwal Fair is celebrated along with Raksha Bandhan every year. Prayers are offered to Goddess Varahi and prasad is distributed. A very famous ritual that takes place is that people throw stones at each other and the ritual ends when the head priest signals to stop. Devotees from all the neighboring regions come to witness this fair.

• One of the major festivals in the Kumaon region of the state Uttarakhand, Nanda Devi Mela is organized in places like Almora, Nainital, Bageshwar, Bhowali, and Kot along with the far-flung villages of Johar. The Fair (Mela) is organized in the month of September every year. Almora is the place where the main fair is held. Nanda Devi Mela, also known as Nanda Devi Mahotsav has been celebrated since the Chand Kings ruled the place with its duration being either 5 days or 7 days. The fair usually takes place around the festival of Nandashtami, which is observed in parts of the state.

As per the legend, Nanda Devi was the family Goddess of the Chand Kings, rulers of the Kumaon region. In the 17th century, King Dyot Chand built the temple of Nanda Devi in Almora. Thus, from then onwards, the Nanda Devi Fair is organized every year to worship the Goddess of Kumaon, Nanda Devi and it symbolizes the economic and cultural prosperity of the region. People who participate in the procession which carries the dola (palanquin) of Nanda Devi and her sister, Sunanda can be visited with our cheap Uttarakhand tour package.

Ramman, a religious festival in the form of the theater is featured on the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in India. It is renowned exclusively in the Garhwal area of Uttarakhand at the twin towns of Saloor-Dungra in the Chamoli area. The unique festivities are a significant form of the heritage of only 196 families, 1800 peoples of the charming villages without worrying about caste and creed.

• An annual pilgrimage is taken up by the followers of Lord Shiva in North India during the rainy months of Shravan (i.e. July and August) to fetch holy waters of River Ganga from several places including Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri. The pilgrimage is called kānvad Yatra. The word kānvad stands for a single-pole (usually made of bamboo) with two roughly equal loads fastened or dangling from opposite ends. The kānvad is carried by balancing the middle of the pole on one or both shoulders.

The pilgrims participating in this Yatra are called kānvadiyas. Kānvadiyas from numerous villages walks all the way from their villages (or towns) to the abovementioned places (mostly to Haridwar, as the other two are pretty inaccessible). They collect Gangajal (the holy waters of the River Ganga) and walk all the back home to offer it to their local Shiva temples as a symbol of thanksgiving to the Lord.

Devidhura Temple in Champawat is known for the event of the Devi Dhura Festival during RakshaBandhan where people gather and stones are pelted between one gathering to others who shield themselves. Amid this celebration, known as Bagwal, two gatherings of moving and singing individuals toss stones at one another, while they protect themselves with the assistance of huge wooden shields. People don’t care about the wounds and they are considered favorable. In 2013, Uttarakhand high court intervened that the stones are to be replaced with Flowers and fruits. The organizing committee of this festival ensures that there will be no stone pelting but only organic products and blooms will be used so Bagwal could be played with no wounds.

Dayara bugyal Butter festival is the same as the Holi festival in north India. Butter festival also called Anduri Utsav. Raithal village and some nearby villages organized milk butter festivals. Anduri is a celebration of offering thanks to natural force. Local people rush with their steers to the meadow of Dayara. They are seen communicating their affection for the Dayara knolls, which give grain to their cattle. The memorable continuing begins with somewhere in the range of 500 villagers, who are seen playing Holi with buttermilk on the slopes of Dayara. It is a cheerful sight to see local people singing, moving, and celebrating with margarine spread appearances. After this, nearby youngsters are seen displaying social projects. Expound productions of Lord Krishna are finished by them, with the full outfit and makeup. The celebration has slowly caught the attention of trekkers and travelers alike. So next time you need to play Butter Holi on a trek, you know where to head.

Jhanda Fair or Jhande ka Mela is one the biggest fairs in Northern India which pulls in a great many lovers and sightseers who travel to Dehradun to look for endowments from The Almighty. It is commended as the birthday of Shri Guru Ram Rai Ji, the oldest child of the seventh Guru of the Sikhs – Sri Har Rai Ji. A gigantic banner (Jhanda Ji) is lifted in this reasonable for remembering his landing in Doon valley on this very day in 1733. The Jhanda Fair is commended on the fifth day of Chaitra which is additionally the fifth day after the Holi.

The old stories of Uttarakhand, surely the lives of the general population are loaded up with moving it is the principal part of their convention and legacy for them as wearing garments, an unquestionable requirement forever. Local people here trust that move isn’t just for humans to engage yet for them the workmanship to please Gods not to fall flat man. The craft of moving additionally owes its motivation to the entrancing legendary moving maidens who harp on snow-clad pinnacles and are differently portrayed as Ancheris, Kecharis, or Paries. Dresses assume a noteworthy job in moving style while individuals accumulate in some unique sort of configuration dresses to move and love. They are pixies or ladies who move in the atmosphere, young ladies of outperforming magnificence, luxuriously dressed, and expected to have a place with the court of Indira. His moving young ladies, are said to fly or buoy along the sky with no noticeable wings.

Celebrated primarily in the Dwarahat regions each year on the holy eve of Baisakhi the entire town springs to life with a large colorful fair. This fair marks the first day of the month of Baisakh or the first day of summer and each community within India (Sikh, Punjabi, North Indians, Tamilians, Oriya, etc.) celebrates this important time with different names. People during this time create delicious sweet treats and take a dip in the holy river of Alaknanda or Bhagirathi as a way of showcasing their devoutness after which they visit the temple and worship the Lord.

The country celebrates Diwali generally for a maximum of two days however in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, this festival pan for almost 5 whole days covering Dhanteras, Anant Chaturdashi, Bhai Dooj, Govardhan, etc. people celebrate this festival by wearing their best and vibrantly colored attires and dance and sing in their traditional language along with lighting fireworks. There is also a tribe in Uttarakhand that celebrates Diwali 1 month after the general Diwali dates of the plains.

The cave temple dedicated to Shiva is situated at a distance of 6 km from Dehradun and it turns into a huge fair site during the auspicious time of Maha Shivratri that generally falls during the months of late February. Locally this fair is also referred to as ‘Shivratri Mela’ and each year this place gets colored in various hues marking the marriage of Shiva and Parvati. People and devotees from various parts of the world make it a point to visit this temple at least once during this auspicious event.

• Bagwali Pokhar Fair is a religious fair of Kumaon, Uttarakhand celebrated on Yam Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj)

Bagwali Pokhar fair is held at Bagwali Pokhar in Dwarahat in the Ranikhet block of Almora district can be visited with our cheap Uttarakhand tour package.

During the fair, lots of traditional activates take place. There is a high cultural spirit among the people. A large number of people from different rural villages of Uttarakhand participate in the fair. Various culture programs are performed by the flok artists of Uttarakhand.

It is believed that Kauravas visited Bagwali Pokhar during exile when they were in search of Pandavs. On Bagwali Pokhar Mela ceremony of offering oda with nagadas, sankhanad and two pairs of drums take place. Incredible local Sarankar dance is also performed. The folk dances and songs performed reflected the pristine heritage of the state. 

• Baurani Fair is a popular fair celebrated at Baurani in Pithoragarh town located in the Kumaon region. The fair has great religious significance and used to be a hub of commercial purpose in earlier days.

On the day of the fair, the entire Bora tribes of Pulai and Chabad villages come to participate in the fair playing drums, singing, and dancing. They carry with them a long flaming torch made with branches of the pine tree. The torch is buried near the temple and with the burning flam spreading light, people dance in Jhora Chachari and pray at Saimdevta temple at midnight. After prayers and worship, the people leave for their homes. Another popular event at Bairani Fair was playing cards. Playing cards were so popular at Baurani Fair that the fair was also known as “JUWA MELA”.

Baurani Fair is celebrated every year 15days after Diwali at the Baurani Temple in Baurani.

• Chaiti Mela is a popular fair held every year during Navaratri at Kashipur located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The fair goes on for 15days during which circus, fun activities, shopping stalls, and buying and selling of animals are held.

In earlier times, trade was an important aspect of these fairs. Horses were in great demand then for transportation vehicles and were trade on a high scale. The modern developments have led to the establishment of shops in every region and have also eliminated the need for horses.

Along with tread, the fair had an important religious aspect which is still prevalent in our cheap Uttarakhand tour packages revered temple of Maa Balasundari Devi is located on the route to Chaiti Fair. It is believed that praying at Balasundari Devi during Navaratri, especially during Ashtami and Navami, fulfills all the wishes asked for.

• The people of Uttarakhand are known for their high cultural values and ethics. Many fairs take place in the state that is dedicated to various holy deities. One of the famous fairs that take place in the Tehri region of Uttarakhand is the Chandrabadni fair.

This grand fair takes place at Chandrabadni Temple in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, 36kms ahead of Devprayag. The temple looms at a height of 2253 meters above sea level on Chandrabadani Mountain and is one of the renowned Sakti Peeth of Garhwal. This holy shrine is devoted to Goddess Sati and it is said that Sati Devi’s torso fell at this same place. Chandrabadani fair is held at the temple premises annually on Baisakh in the month of April. Devotees in large numbers take part in the vibrant fair.

• Chaupakhya Festival is celebrated during Navratris at Chaumi Devta Temple in Rayansi, a small village located in the Pithoragarh district in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

Chaupakhya Festival is celebrated on Vijaya Dashami, i.e on the 10th day of Navratris.

Chaumi Devta is the chief deity of the people of Rayansi and they celebrate Chaupakhya Festival with great zeal and enthusiasm. The festival is celebrated in the open space in front of Chaumi Devta Temple. On Vijaya Dashami, the villagers pray at the temple and the shaman of Chaumi Devta is carried in a palanquin for a religious precession.

• Chhipla is situated in the heartland of the Kali and Gori rivers, south of the Panchchuli mountains. The highest point of this mountain – Najurikund (4487m) – is the seat of Chhilpa Kedar.

The people of 15-20 villagers of Dharchula and Gorikhal regions reach Kedardwe and Najurikote every third year on Bhado Purnmasi. The principal yatra starts from village Khela near Tawaghat. It goes through thick forests, rocky lands, and Bugyals. People go in barefoot eve every day.

Chhipla Jaat expresses different aspects of human faith. The barefoot journey, worship, bath, collective food, songs and dances, and the possession of the body of Bonia by the folk god are the essential parts of Chhipla Jaat.

 Dhaulinag Temple is a temple dedicated to Nag Devta located at Bageshwar town in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. There are several Nag Devta temples located in this area. A fair is held on the day of Nag Panchami in Bhadrapad month (mid-August–September) and Ashwin Shukla Panchami’s night. The fair is commonly known as Dhaulinagotsav.

• Gabladev Fair is celebrated every year as a religious fair by the inhabitants of Drama Valley which is situated at an elevation of 4000mts in the Pitharagarhdistrictin Kumaon region Uttarakhand.

Gabladev Fair is celebrated every year on the third of Bhadrapad month. Bhadrapad month normally begins around 22-23rd August. The date of the fair is finalized by the intellectuals of Dantu and Dugat villages.  The fair was held for 5-6days.

• Gaindi Khagoti Fair is celebrated in Chwicha village in the Pauri district of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. The fair begins on Vasant Panchami and continues till Baishaki.

Gaindi Khagoti Fair honors the tradition of the search of rhinoceros by the Pandavas by the event at the Devi’s Temple located at the center of the village.

• Gananath Fair is a famous fair held at Gananath Temple located about 47kms from Almora. Gananath Temple is an ancient temple known popularly for its caves and Shiva Temple.

Gananath Fair is celebrated every year on Kartik Purnima which falls 15days after Maidani Diwali.

Gauchar Mela is an annual trade fair held on 14th November in the hilly town of Gauchar, located on the left bank of Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Gauchar is en route to Badrinath Temple. Gaichur Fair is one of the largest trade fairs of Uttarakhand wherein regional products produced from the cottage industries of Uttarakhand are showcased and trade.

• Located in the Purola region of Uttarakhand, Singtur Range (Patti) is famous for its traditional rituals, fairs, and festivals. One such fair celebrated at the time of Makar Sankranti is Gendua Fair.

The villages in Singtur Patti are divided into two regions-Pansai and Sathi. can be visited with our cheap Uttarakhand tour package. Pansai represents the Pandavas and Sathi represents the Kauravas. In this region, the number of Kauravas is believed to be 60, instead of 100. 

Uttarakhand is a state that is not only renowned for its tranquil natural beauty but also for its rich ethnicity. The Gandiyal Devta Raaj Jaat is organized every alternate six and 12 years. The Fair is organized at Ghandiyal Dhaar in Lostu Badiyargarh in Tehri district of Uttarkhand. The mela takes place in honor of Ghandiyal Devta. Mela goes on for 9nights / 9days.

Guru Kailapeer Fair is one of the oldest cultures and traditional fairs in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Famous as the oldest and holiest fair among the locals, this fair is conducted every year in the memory of the local deity of Budakedar, Dev Guru Kailpeer. The fair showcases the famous holy run of people with deity idol, Ramleela of Girls, and Magsheer Diwali celebrations.

On the Ashtami (eighth day of the month) of the Chaitra and Bhado, a fair is held in the Kalika temple at Gangolihat. People come with drums and flags to pay homage to Goddess Kalika. On this day, animals are sacrificed and offered to the Goddess. The athwart (eight sacrifices) processions with drums and dances are worth seeing.

 Harin Cheetal means ‘spotted deer’. Celebrated in the Pithoragarh districted the Kumaon region Uttarakhand. Harin Chital is a flok drama with culture and religious significance. The flok drama is held every year usually on the 8th day of Bhadrapad month (late August) where 3-4 men dress up and represent themselves as deer perform various dances and acts.

 Jagda Festival – A joyous festival of Jaunsar – Bawar region. Every year, the people of the Jaunsar-Bawar region celebrate Jagda Festival with great zeal and excitement. The festival is celebrated in honor of Mahasu Devtaon on the 3rd and 4th day of Bhadrapad month, coinciding with the auspicious festival of Ganesh Chathurthi.

This fair is held on the fifteenth day of the month Baishakh (late March or early April) at the Shiva temple in Jageshwar. During the fair, people take holy dips in the Brahma Kundu (pool) and worship Lord Shiva. On this day, fairs are also held in many other places.

The people of Kumaon celebrate Raksha Bandhan and Janopunya, the day on which people change their janeu (sacred thread). On this day the famous Bagwal fair is held at Devidhura in district Champawat.

• Pandukeshwar Festival, locally known as Janti Fair or Janti Male is celebrated every 6years in Pandukeshwar Temple situated on the left bank of Vishnuganga River. The fair which lasts for 9-11 days begins during Magh Sankranti. Janti Fair is an event of great happiness and devotion to the people.

Jauljibi Fair is a cultural and commercial fair held every year from 14th – 21st November at the place of confluence of Kali and Gori rivers, situated 10kms from Askot. Ascot is situated in the Dharchula Nagar-panchayat of the Pithoragarh district.

Kalika Fair, popularly known as Bungkhal Mela, is a famous religious fair celebrated every year at Kalika Devi Temple in Chaurikhal village Pauri Garwal district of Uttarakhand. The fair is attended with great zest by the people of the nearby villages of Dhaijyuli, Bali Kandarasyu, Karadsyu, Ghurdaursyu, Chaupdakot, Chauhan, and others.

• Kalsin fair is a one-day fair held every year near Shyamlatal located 5km ahead of Sukhidhang which lies on the Tanakpur – Champawat highway.

The Kalsin Temple contains bows, arrows tridents, and other common weapons of Hindu mythology. On the day of the fair, people pray by tying black-colored clothes and lighting divas in front of the weapons. People offer bells, flags, etc. in the temple for the fulfillment of their wishes. 

In the olden days, the fair used to be celebrated for a week but now it is celebrated just for a day.

•  Kamleshwar Fair is a religious fair held every year on the 14th day of Kartik month (early November) which is known as “Vaikuntha Chaturdashi”.

Kamaleshwar Fair is held in Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple located on the banks of Alaknanda River in the historic town of Srinagar in Garhwal.

On this day, people visit Kamleshwar Temple throughout the day to worship Lord Kamleshwar. Along with religious ceremonies, people also engage in buying and selling essential commodities.

Kandali Festival, also known as Kirji Festival is celebrated every 12years by the Joutiya or Jainila people during August-September in the Chaudans region of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The festival celebrates the defeat of Zorowar Singh’s army from Ladakh which attacked the region in 1841. The victory is celebrated by singing and dancing in folk songs and uprooting the Kandali plant.

Kkatarua is essentially the special festival of pastoral-agricultural society and celebrated on the first day of the month of Ashwin in mid-September and signifies the beginning of the autumn. On this day people light bonfires, around which children dance, holding aloft colourful flags. People take special care of their animals and feed them fresh grass. Cucumbers are offered to the fire of Khatarua, which is said to destroy all evil influences. The victory of the king of Kumaon is also said to be one of the reasons for the celebration of Khatarua.

• Kot Ki Mai Fair is a grand three-days fair celebrated every year from Panchami to Ashtami of Navratris (5th – 8th of Navratris) in the month of Chaith. The fair is celebrated in honor of Bhramri Devi and Nanda Devi.

Kot Ki Mai fair is celebrated at a high peak located in Gwaldam Marg, 3kms ahead of Baijnath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

•  Maun Mela – the fishing festival of Uttarakhand. Maun Mela is a famous fair of Uttarakhand that is celebrated every year in Jaunpur block in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. A large number of people gather to celebrate this fair.

Maun Mela is a very old fair that has been celebrated for ages in Tehri. It is said that the Maun fair has been started by the Tehri king, Narendra Shah at Nilhad River.

• Rameshwar Fair is an eventful fair with great religious and cultural significance held during Makarsankranti. The events during the fair which include singing, dancing, and games continue all night long.

The villagers gather around bonfires and spend the night celebrating by singing folk songs and dancing to regional music. They take bath in the Saryu River in the early morning and offer their prayers at the Shiva Temple.

• Sameshwarostav or Sameshwar Utsav is an annual fair held during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August-September) at Uprikot village in the

Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is a three-day fair starting normally from 15th August till 22nd August.

The main attraction of Sameshwarotsav is the practice of certain rituals by the shaman during the fair. In the course of the three days, the shaman engages in marking and aiming at mulberry and walnut trees located at the backside of the temple, walking barefoot on the battle-ax, and carrying out rituals for sacrificing goats and sheep.

• Saton-Athon festival is one of the most important festivals of the Pithoragarh region of Kumaon.

Normally, Saton-Athon Fair is celebrated on the 7th / 8th day of Bhadrapad month (mid-August / Mid September). However if the first 15days of Bhadrapad falls during Saurmas Ashwin, Saton-Athon is celebrating during Janmasthami, which falls on the eight-day of Krishna Paksha in Shraavan month (mid-July–mid-August).

• People of Uttarakhand have been celebrating Selku Fair every year on Makar Sankranti. It is celebrated in the Raithal village of Bhatwadi in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. In Mukhba, Ghorsali, Dharali, Gangotri, and Budha Kedar region this festival is celebrated in Bhadrapada Masa (as per Hindu calendar), usually in the month of September.

During the fair, the offering of the state flower ‘Brahmkamal’ is considered very auspicious. People in large numbers pluck in and offer this flower to the Someshwar people.

• Somnath Fair or Masi Fair is held every year in the small village of Masi, located in Ranikhet tehsil of Almora district in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The fair is held at Someshwar Mahadev Temple.

One of the main features of the Somnath Fair is visiting the banks of Ramganga beside Someshwar Temple and participating in throwing stones in the river in our Uttarakhand tour package. The competition of throwing stones and splashing the water is held between the two pillars of Palipachau-Masiwal and Kanudiya.

• Syalpati Fair is a fair dedicated to Nanda Devi and is celebrated in the regions near Joshimath in the Chamoli region of Uttarakhand. The fair is celebrated on years fixed by the heads of the village and lasts for about 2-4days.

In essence, Syalpati Fair is a celebration rejoicing the arrival of Dhyano (married daughters) to their parental homes.

• Held in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, Thal Fair is one of the most important commercial fairs after the Jauljibhi Fair. Thal Mela is held every year during Baisakhi in the small town of Thal in the Pithoragarh district of Uttrakhand. The small town of Thal is situated on the banks of Ramganga about 50kms northwest of the district headquarters.

The fair is said to have begun in the year 1940 by the nationalists of the Thal village in memory of the infamous Jalianwala Bagh massacre.

• It is celebrated in the Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand in a year marking the commencement of a new season. This traditional festival is celebrated all through both the Navratris, Chaitra Navratri in the month of Chaitra in March/April, and also in the month, Ashwini in the month of September/October and in Shravanie at the end of July.

On the first day of the festival the female bung up the soil in the wicker basket and plants seven kinds of seeds in them. On this day mud sculptures are made of Gauri, Maheshwar, and Ganesha for respect. Individuals laid the blades of recently cut Harela’s on their heads besides lead it to their friends and relatives Can be visited with our cheap Uttarakhand tour package.