Uttarakhand or Devbhoomi is the land of Gods where people from all over the world wishes to catch the sight of its beautiful valleys and hills once in a year atleast. It not only constitute the natural beauty but also provides you the spiritual and religious environment where one can find the absolute serenity. Being a holy place it gives you many occasions to find the inner spiritual peace. Various fairs and festivals are celebrated on this land.
Being a home of different communities and ethnic groups different types of languages are spoken here. Some of the prominent fairs and festivals celebrated in Uttarakhand are Basant Panchami, Bhitauli, Harela, Phool Dei, Batsavitri, Ganga Dusshera or Dasar, Dikar Puja, Olgia or Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, Ghuian Ekadashi, Chhipla Jaat, Kandali, Janopunya, Kumaon Holi (including Khari Holi and Baithaki Holi) and also Makar Sankranti (Ghughutia).
Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela is one of the biggest festival which is celebrated here. It is the significant fair for the people of this northern state. It is the most auspicious congregation of pilgrims in which one’s sins are forgiven by taking dips in the holy river, Ganga.
Irrespective of caste, creed and gender, followers, saints, sadhus and visitors from all the world takes bath in the Ganga in the hope of elimination of evil emotions hidden within us. This fair takes place for three months.
Harela and Bhitauli
Every season brings festival which are properly celebrated among the residents of Uttarakhand. For example a season which marks the beginning of monsoon is Harela. This festival is celebrated by the people of Kumaon Community during the month of Shravana i.e, July-August.
According to Hindu Mythology, this event is celebrated in the honour of wedding celebration of Lord Shiva and Parvati. People make small idols of Gods like Maheswar and Ganesh. This festival is adhered to another event known as Bhitauli which is celebrated in the month of Chaitra, i.e., March-April.
This focuses on farming where plants are sown by ladies and in the end of the festival they reap the harvest which is known as Harela. Quality of their seeds can be easily tested during this event.
Uttarayani Festival
Uttarayani Fair typically occurs in the second week of January yearly on the divine celebration of Makar Sankranti. Initially belonging from Bageshwar region it is also held in Ranibagh and Hanseswari.
Bagnath Temple in Bageshwar situated on the banks of River Saryu witnesses the grand celebration of this divine fair.
During the relocation of Sun from Southern Hemisphere to Northern Hemisphere it is believed great to take a dip in the water of the river throughout the Mela.
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