Fairs of India
India is considered as very for its Fairs and festivals that are celebrated in every part of the country with great enthusiasm. In India most of the fairs are always been a part of rural India. Indian fairs and festivals always capture the centre stage when it comes to tourism. These fairs fill a social and economic need even today. The culture of India is aptly reflected through its numerous festivals and fairs that brings out the true spirit of the Indian people and their society.
Nagpur Mela:
The Nagpur mela is held in Nagpur and Rajasthan every year is one of the largest fair in the world. In this fair the town of Nagpur starts bustling every year with the thronging of Cattle, horses and camels accompanied by their owners and buyers. Nagpur bulls are famous for their fleet-footedness and so they attract buyers from all over. The fair day starts with buyers and sellers engaged in earnest bargains and once the price of animals has been settled, the day ends up by performing dances and songs with joy.
Sonepur Mela in Bihar:
Sonepur Mela in Bihar is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country is held at Sonepur in the state of Uttar Pradesh at the time of the Kartik Poornima. Since Sonepur is situated on the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga and Gandak. It is believed that having a dip at this confluence and a visit to the Hariharnath temple is auspicious.
There will be a month-long fair held with cattle trade. In this mela cows and oxen are coloured with bright colours of red, yellow and purple on their horns and tie bells around their necks. The trumpeting of elephants add to the glamour of the fair.
Sonepur Fair is the only one of its kind where a large number of elephants are sold. Apart from elephants, a large number of cattle and horses are also brought to the fair for sale. Many events are performed like folk shows, games and jugglers can be seen in the fair.
Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal:
In the state of West Bengal near the river Ganges, on the island of Gangasagar where the Ganges meet the Bay of Bengal, this Gangasagar mela is held every year in the month of January during the festival of Makara Sankranti day. Many number of piligrims attend in a large from all over India to this island which is dedicated to the sage Kapila.
Godachi fair in Karnataka:
In the state of Karnataka Godachi Fair is celebrated with great joy that is held during the months of October and November of Kartik. The Godachi fair is a big fair of Karnataka held in Godachi village located in Belgaum District of Karnataka organized by Karnataka state government. Godachi fair is held in honor of Shri Veerabhadra who is one of the vital attendant spirits of Lord Shiva who is considered to to be born out of Shiva’s hairlock and worshipped the lord with great dedication.
Minjar Fair in Himachal Pradesh:
The state of Himachal Pradesh is held with Minjar Fair every year which starts from the last Sunday of July and continues till one week. People from all around the world attend the Minjar fair and offer prayers to the Laxmi Narayan Temple. The Minjar fair depicts the traditions of India in a well mannered. Folk singing and dancing are main attractions of the fair. This fair starts with the distribution of Minjar which is a silk tassel worn on front parts of the dress by men and women alike
Beneshwar Fair in Rajasthan:
During the month of January and February towards the full moon night thousands of Bhil tribe people join together at the junction of two rivers, Som and Mahi in Rajasthan to immerse ashes of their relatives died during that year, as a memorial service. After that, they bathe in the river to cleanse themselves and then worship at the temple where God Shiva is enshrined.
URS AJMER SHARIF – Ajmer, Rajasthan
Every year Ajmer in Rajastan prepares for its Muslim festival – the Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, a Sufi saint. The Urs, commemorating the symbolic union of the saint with god, is an occasion for celebration. Thousands or pilgrims arrive to pray at the dargah (tomb) of the saint. The Dargah Sharif is the place where the Saints mortal remains lie buried and is the site of the largest Muslim Fair in India.
Goa Carnival in Goa:
The Goa carnival is held for a week every year in Goa just before Lent. All of Panaji goes wild for that period and it is a time of feasting and fun, of dances, balls and parades. With the parade, the festival gets off to a spectacular start and the fun-loving Goans make the most of their carnival before setting down to the solemnity at Lent.
Ganguar Fair in Jaipur:
Ganguar fair will be held in Jaipur, Rajastan where the idols of Issar and Gangaur, manifestations of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, are worshipped by women, those who are particularly unmarried and pray for a life partner like lord Shiva. In this Ganguar fair women with the images of the divine couple take out processions through the streets of towns.
Brahmotsavam in Andhra Pradesh:
Every year, thousands of devotees from all over the world gather Tirumala Tirupathi to witness the grand fair of Hindu festival called as Brahmotsavam at Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. The Brahmotsavam will be held in the month of October for 9 days during Narathri festival. It is believed that Lord Brahma was the first to start this festival. He worshiped Sri Balaji on the banks of the Pushkarini in Tirupati to thank him for the protection of mankind. Hence the festival bears his name Brahmotsavam which means Brahma’s Utsav.
Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan:
In the ancient town of Pushkar in Rajasthan helds Pushkar fair that a great number of tourist from across the world in the month of November of Kartik. Pushkar has three main lakes – Jayshtha Pushkar, Madhyam Pushkar and Kanishtha Pushkar where a temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma.
In this camels are a special attraction where camels are being raced and paraded. During evening times hundreds of oil of lamps are placed on leaves and floated on the lake by worshippers.