20 indian fairs list | fairs of india pdf

20 Indian fairs with some details about each:

Kumbh Mela: A major Hindu pilgrimage fair held every 12 years in four different locations (Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain). It attracts millions of devotees who gather to take a ritual bath in sacred rivers.

Pushkar Camel Fair: Held in Pushkar, Rajasthan, this fair is known for its vibrant atmosphere and trading of livestock, particularly camels. It also features cultural events, camel races, and a unique cattle show.

Surajkund Crafts Mela: Organized in Surajkund, Haryana, this fair showcases traditional Indian handicrafts, textiles, and cuisine from various states. It attracts artisans, craftsmen, and tourists from all over the country.

Sonepur Cattle Fair: Held in Sonepur, Bihar, this fair is one of the largest cattle fairs in Asia. Apart from cattle trading, it features various cultural activities, elephant parades, and a variety of stalls.

Goa Carnival: Celebrated in Goa, this vibrant festival marks the beginning of Lent. It features parades with colorful floats, street performances, music, and dance, attracting both locals and tourists.

Tarnetar Fair: Held in Tarnetar, Gujarat, this fair is associated with a legendary swayamvar (marriage ceremony) of Draupadi. It showcases traditional dances, music, handicrafts, and a unique matchmaking event.

Hemis Festival: Celebrated in Hemis Monastery, Ladakh, this fair is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. It includes masked dances, music, and rituals performed by the monks.

Rann Utsav: Held in the white desert of Kutch, Gujarat, this fair showcases the vibrant culture, art, and crafts of the region. It also offers activities like camel rides, folk performances, and luxury tent accommodations.

Baisakhi Mela: Celebrated in Punjab, this fair marks the harvest festival of Baisakhi. It includes vibrant processions, traditional dances (Bhangra and Gidda), music performances, and cultural competitions.

Thrissur Pooram: Held in Thrissur, Kerala, this grand temple festival is known for its magnificent display of caparisoned elephants, fireworks, percussion ensembles, and the participation of various temples.

Puri Rath Yatra: This annual chariot festival takes place in Puri, Odisha, where Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, is taken out in grand chariots. It attracts devotees who pull the chariots and participate in the procession.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival: Organized in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, this fair showcases the rich culture and heritage of the desert region. It features camel races, folk dances, puppet shows, and competitions like turban tying.

Durga Puja: Celebrated primarily in West Bengal, this festival commemorates the victory of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon. It involves elaborately decorated pandals (temporary structures), idol processions, and cultural performances.

Lohri: Celebrated in Punjab and other northern states, Lohri marks the end of winter and the arrival of longer days. People gather around bonfires, sing folk songs, perform traditional dances, and distribute sweets.

Bikaner Camel Festival: Held in Bikaner, Rajasthan, this two-day festival celebrates the indispensable role of camels in desert life. It includes camel races, camel beauty contests, traditional music, and fire dance performances.

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival: Organized in Mumbai, Maharashtra, this week-long festival promotes various forms of arts, including visual arts, music, dance, theater, and literature. It features workshops, exhibitions, and live performances.

Jaipur Literature Festival: Considered the world’s largest free literary festival, it takes place in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It brings together renowned authors, poets, intellectuals, and book lovers for discussions, debates, and book launches.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race: Held in Alappuzha, Kerala, this thrilling snake boat race takes place on the Punnamada Lake. Teams compete fiercely in traditional longboats, accompanied by energetic music and enthusiastic spectators.

Janmashtami: Celebrated nationwide, this festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna. Temples are adorned, devotional songs are sung, and reenactments of Krishna’s life are performed, culminating in the breaking of a pot of curd.

Hornbill Festival: Organized in Nagaland, this festival showcases the cultural heritage of Naga tribes. It features traditional music, dance performances, indigenous games, handicrafts, and a display of local cuisines.

10 Indian fairs

  1. Kumbh Mela:
  • Location: Held in four different locations in India – Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain.
  • Frequency: Held every 12 years in each location, with the Ardh Kumbh Mela held every six years.
  • Duration: Lasts for several weeks, attracting millions of devotees during this period.
  • Significance: Considered one of the largest religious gatherings on Earth, it is a pilgrimage fair where devotees take a ritual bath in the holy rivers to cleanse their sins and attain spiritual liberation.
  1. Pushkar Camel Fair:
  • Location: Takes place in Pushkar, Rajasthan.
  • Timing: Held annually in the month of November.
  • Duration: Spans for about five to seven days.
  • Highlights: Renowned for trading of livestock, especially camels. Features cultural events, including folk music and dance performances, camel races, and competitions like the longest mustache.
  1. Surajkund Crafts Mela:
  • Location: Organized in Surajkund, Haryana.
  • Timing: Held annually in the first two weeks of February.
  • Duration: Typically lasts for 15 days.
  • Highlights: Showcases the rich diversity of traditional Indian handicrafts, textiles, and cuisine. Artisans and craftsmen from various states gather here to exhibit and sell their exquisite creations.
  1. Goa Carnival:
  • Location: Celebrated across the state of Goa.
  • Timing: Takes place in the month of February.
  • Duration: Spans for about three to four days.
  • Highlights: Influenced by Portuguese traditions, it features colorful parades with floats, music, dance, and street performances. Locals and tourists participate in the festivities, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
  1. Puri Rath Yatra:
  • Location: Organized in Puri, Odisha.
  • Timing: Held annually during the Hindu month of Ashadha (June or July).
  • Duration: The festival usually lasts for about nine days.
  • Highlights: The chariot festival where the deities Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken out in grand chariots. Thousands of devotees pull the chariots and participate in the procession.
  1. Sonepur Cattle Fair:
  • Location: Held in Sonepur, Bihar.
  • Timing: Begins on Kartik Poornima (full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik).
  • Duration: Extends for several weeks.
  • Highlights: One of the largest cattle fairs in Asia, it features the trading of various animals, cultural activities, elephant parades, and a variety of stalls.
  1. Hemis Festival:
  • Location: Celebrated in Hemis Monastery, Ladakh.
  • Timing: Held annually in the month of June or July.
  • Duration: Lasts for two days.
  • Highlights: Dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, it includes masked dances, music, and rituals performed by the monks. It attracts both locals and tourists.
  1. Rann Utsav:
  • Location: Organized in the white desert of Kutch, Gujarat.
  • Timing: Held from November to February.
  • Duration: Spans for about three to four months.
  • Highlights: Showcases the vibrant culture, art, and crafts of the region. Offers activities like camel rides, folk performances, handicraft exhibitions, and luxury tent accommodations.
  1. Jaipur Literature Festival:
  • Location: Takes place in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
  • Timing: Held annually in the month of January.
  • Duration: Spans for about five days.
  • Highlights: Considered the world’s largest free literary festival, it brings together renowned authors, poets, intellectuals, and book lovers for discussions, debates, book launches, and cultural programs.
  1. Nehru Trophy Boat Race:
  • Location: Organized in Alappuzha, Kerala.
  • Timing: Takes place on the second Saturday of August.
  • Duration: The boat race is completed in a day.
  • Highlights: A thrilling snake boat race held on the Punnamada Lake. Teams compete fiercely in traditional longboats, accompanied by energetic music and enthusiastic spectators.

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