Festival in Uttaranchal

Uttaranchal is a home to several temples and also a place where many festivals are celebrated with much enthusiasm. The presence of major pilgrimage centers is the reason for celebrating various festivals in Uttaranchal. Most of these festivals are celebrated over a period of two to three days followed by dance and music. On the eve of most of the festivals the places near the temples are transformed into important hubs where tourists from all over India and from the world gather to take part.

Uttaranchal starts the New Year with Makar Sankranti in January followed by the festival of Kale Kauve or Ghughutia. Basant Panchami signals the arrival of spring. Nandadevi Rajjaat Yatra is the most popular festival of Uttranchal. Ganga Dusshera is celebrated in the month of May and June, and involves the worshipping of the holy river Ganga. Many other festivals are celebrated at Uttranchal, which include Ramnavmi, Krishna Janmasthami, Ghuiya Ekadashi and Shivratri.

Jauljibi And Thal Fairs

The fair of Jauljibi is held here every year in the month of November. The place is also very significant since it is the confluence point of Rivers Kali and Gori. It is also the place of meeting of cultures, Shauka, Nepali and Kumaoni; these three cultures meet at this place. Stressing on the significance of this place in the past and even today is the fact this is the getaway to important places like Johar, Darma, Chaudans and Byans. It was also once the centre point between Tibet and Tarai regions. While the fair is important for its commercial value yet its cultural significance is equally important. It invites visitors from as far as Nepal, who come here to sell horses, ghee and take back food grains and jaggery. A similar kind of fair is organised in Thal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on the occasion of Vaishakh Sankranti on 14th April every year and is particularly famous with Shaukas.