Fairs & Festivals in U.P
Uttar Pradesh has traditional, religious and
state festivals organized and celebrated throughout the state. These
festivals are full of messages depicting one or more aspects of
human life, relationships or ancient traditions. Many of these
festivals such as Deepavali, Dasara, Mohurrum, Shivratri, etc. are
celebrated nation wide. Some of the popular festivals especially
celebrated in U P with pomp are briefed below.
Kumbh Mela (Jan. - Feb.)
The month long Kumbh Mela of Allahabad is one of
the largest fairs of the world and is attended by millions of
pilgrims from all over India as well as the devout from the world
over. Maha Kumbh is held after a gap of twelve years where as Ardha
Kumbh is held in the Sixth year after Maha Kumbh, in the months of
January-February, on the banks of the holy confluence (Sangam) of
rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
The Kumbh Mela is generally held every three
years in rotation at Allahabad, Hardwar, Ujjain and Nasik. The
period of Kumbh Mela is Magh (Jan-Feb) month of Hindu calendar.
Ardh Kumbh Mela (Jan. - Feb.)
Held in the 6th year after Kumbh Mela, i.e. it
falls between two Kumbh Melas. It has got the same religious value
and attracts millions of people. It has the same main bathing days
as in Kumbh Mela.
Magh Mela (Jan. - Feb.)
Magh Mela (The Annual Mini Kumbh) is held every
year on the banks of Sangam. Magh Mela is held in the month of Magh
(Jan-Feb); hence Magh Mela. During this period about two or three
million of devotees throng here.
Kampil Fair (Mar.)
It was the birthplace of the 13th tirthaiikar
Brahlan Vimal Nath and was graced by the visit of Lord Mahavir. The
neighbouring ruins and mounds contain the relics and sculptures of
Jain period. Every year a Jain Mela is held for five days in the
month of March thronged by devout Jains.
Holi (March)
Holi heralds the beginning of spring and is
celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. Holi thus signifies
the triumph of good over evil and is marked by grand festivities all
over India and particularly in the Braj area where it is celebrated
with great gaiety and fervour. Holi celebrations last for more than
a week and are marked by people sprinkling colour water & smearing
colour powder on each other. The playful teasing of the Gopis by the
Gopas (cowherd boys) is enacted by groups of men and women through
special Holi songs and dances, called Rasiya.
Ramnavmi Mela (April)
Ayodhya, the holy city of the sacred pilgrim
centre of Hindus plays host to the Ramnavmi Festival in the month of
April. Thousands of worshippers gather to venerate the Lord at Kanak
Bhawan.
Janmashtami (August)
Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna is
celebrated with great devotion in the August/September months, on
the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in
the month of Bhadon, in the whole of north India. Special
celebrations are held in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Rambarat (Sep. - Oct)
The marriage procession of Sri Ram is held every
year during Ramlila celebrations at Agra. Every year a new locale of
the town is chosen as Janakpuri, which is elaborately decorated to
perform the royal wedding. The Rambarat (marriage procession) starts
from Lala Channomaiji Id Baradari for Janakpuri passing through
different parts of the town. The barat is a large procession of
Jhankis followed by the swaroops of Ram-Lakshman mounted on
elephants.
Deva Mela (October)
The annual urs of Haji Waris Ali Shah is
celebrated during Oct.-Nov. months at Deva 10 km. from Barabanki.
This fair attracts pilgrims from as far as Pakistan and the Middle
East countries. The shrine of the Sufi Saint is much revered by
Muslim pilgrims all over the world.
Bateshwar Fair (Oct. - Nov.)
Situated at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river
Yamuna, Bateshwar is an important spiritual and cultural centre.
The place is named after the presiding deity of
the region, Bateshwar Mahadeo and has 108 temples dedicated to the
gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. During the months of Oct.
& Nov. a large fair is organized from Shashthi of Kartik month to
Panchami of Agrahayan month. Devotees congregate here in large
numbers to worship Lord Shiva and take holy dips in river Yamuna. A
livestock fair is also organized and owners and buyers conduct
serious business combined with the gaiety of a market place.
Krishna Leela (Oct. - Nov.)
The Tulsi Ghat at Varanasi is the venue for the
20 daylong Krishna Leela celebrations. Nag- Nathaiya Leela, one of
the episodes in the celebration is extremely famous. Lord Krishna
enacted by an artist, jumps into the river as the play reaches its
climax and emerges on the serpent hood of Shesh Nag. Lakhs of people
gather on the ghats of Ganga to witness this special enactment.
Kartik Poornima (November)
Varanasi is the land of festivals. Kartik
Poornima celebrated in the month of November, is the sacred day,
when the ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of brightly lit
earthen lamps. Visitors throng in large numbers to watch this
spectacular event, famous as Dev Deepawali.
Lolark Shasthi, Dala Chhath, Rang Bhari Ekadasi,
Burhwa Mangal and Annakut are among the other important festive
occasions for Varanasi.
State Festivals
In addition to the traditional festivals, State
Government organizes the following festivals accompanied with
cultural and religious programmes.
- Ayurveda-Janshi Mahotsava: From 03 Nov. 2003 to 07 Nov. 2003
at Jhansi.
- Ganga Mahotsava: From 04 Nov. 2003 to 09 Nov. 2003 at Varanasi.
- Lucknow Mahotsava: From 25 Nov. 2003 to 05 Dec. 2003 at
Lucknow.
- Buddha Mahotsava: From 03 Dec. 2003 to 06 Dec. 2003 at
Sarnath/ Kushinagar.
- One-Day Buddha Mahotsava: On 03 Dec. 2003 at Sravasti.
-
Water Sports Festival: From 08 Feb. 2004 to 10
Feb. 2004 at Allahabad.
-
Taj Mahotsava: From 18 Feb. 2004 to 27 Feb.
2004 at Agra.
-
International Yoga Week: From 22 Feb 2004 to 28
Feb. 2004 at Varanasi and Allahabad.
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