Festivals

Bissu is an annual Jaunsari cultural festival of Jaunsar-Bawar, Dehradun, held in April (Baisakhi). Jaunsari spring festival with Barada Nati, Harul and Raso folk dances and traditional archery.

Chandrabadni Fair is an annual religious festival of Chandrabadni, Tehri Garhwal, held in Chaitra / spring. dedicated to Chandrabadni Devi (Shakti), Hill Shakti-peeth fair on the Chandrabadni ridge, drawing devotees from Tehri, Pauri and Rudraprayag.

Devidhura Bagwal is an annual fair of Devidhura, Champawat, held in Raksha Bandhan (Aug). Dedicated to Varahi (Barahi) Devi. An ancient ritual 'battle' at the Barahi Devi temple where four clans (khams) pelt each other with stones (now fruit/flowers) until blood equal to a human's is offered to the goddess.

Gauchar Mela is an annual trade fair festival of Gauchar, Chamoli, held in 14 November. One of Uttarakhand's largest trade fairs, on the Alaknanda en route to Badrinath, showcasing hill cottage-industry produce.

Ghee Sankranti is an annual harvest festival of across Garhwal, held in Bhado / mid-August (Sinruti). Harvest thanksgiving where ghee and seasonal produce are eaten to mark the ripening crops.

Ghughutiya is an annual Kumaoni harvest of across Kumaon, held in 14 January (Makar Sankranti). Children thread sweet flour cones (ghughut) into garlands and call the crows to feast — a mid-winter festival welcoming the migratory birds and the turning sun.

Harela is an annual Uttarakhandi harvest festival of Garhwal & Kumaon, held in Shravan (July). Monsoon/sowing festival of greenery — seedlings (harela) are sown and worn; marks the farming new season.

Hiljatra is an annual Kumaoni (Sor) harvest of Sor valley, Pithoragarh, held in August–September (Bhadrapad). An agrarian mask festival of monsoon and sowing, with the masked Lakhiya Bhoot and Hiran-Chital enacting village farming life.

Igas Bagwal is an annual Garhwali cultural festival of across Garhwal, held in 11 days after Diwali (Nov). Garhwal's own 'old Diwali': spinning the lighted Bhailo torch, with Thadya and Chauphula folk dances.

Jauljibi Fair is an annual trade fair of Jauljibi (Kali–Gori confluence), Pithoragarh, held in November. A historic Indo-Nepal trade and cultural fair at the confluence of the Kali and Gori rivers.

Jhanda Ji Mela is an annual religious festival of Dehradun, held in 5 days after Holi. dedicated to Guru Ram Rai, Commemorates Guru Ram Rai's arrival; the raising of the tall Jhanda (flag) at Darbar Sahib draws pilgrims from across the region.

Kandali Festival is a every 12 years Rung (Shauka) cultural of Chaudans & Darma valleys, Pithoragarh, held in when the kandali flowers bloom. A twelve-yearly Rung festival marking the rare blooming of the kandali (Himalayan nettle-flower) and an ancient victory over invaders.

Magh Mela Uttarkashi is an annual fair festival of Uttarkashi, held in 14–21 January (Makar Sankranti). Religious + trade fair where local deities are brought in palanquins; a major winter gathering of the Garhwal hills.

Maroj is an annual Jaunsari cultural festival of Jaunsar-Bawar, Dehradun, held in Magh (January). dedicated to Mahasu Devta, Month-long Jaunsari mid-winter festival opening with a rite at the Mahasu/Kaylu shrine at Hanol; feasting and folk dance.

Mata Murti Ka Mela is an annual religious festival of Badrinath, Chamoli, held in September. dedicated to Mata Murti (mother of Nar-Narayan), Held at Badrinath honouring the mother of Nar and Narayan (Badrinath); one of the valley's principal fairs.

Nanda Devi Mela is an annual religious of Almora (also Nainital, Bageshwar, Kot, Johar), held in September (Bhadrapad). Dedicated to Goddess Nanda Devi. Kumaon's grandest fair, held since the Chand kings — five to seven days of worship of the twin Nanda-Sunanda images, folk song, dance and a craft market by the temple.

Nanda Devi Raj Jat is a every 12 years pilgrimage festival of Nauti to Homkund, Chamoli, held in Aug–Sep. dedicated to Goddess Nanda Devi, Called the Himalayan Mahakumbh — a ~280 km, three-week foot pilgrimage escorting the goddess to Homkund, led by a four-horned ram.

Phool Dei is an annual Garhwali harvest festival of across Garhwal, held in 1st day of Chaitra (mid-March). Spring/harvest festival: children scatter flowers on doorsteps singing folk songs, blessed with sweets (dei).

Ramman is an annual religious festival of Saloor-Dungra villages, Chamoli, held in April (Baisakhi). dedicated to Bhumiyal Devta, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (2009): a masked ritual theatre of dances, drumming and Ramayana enactment performed by the whole village.

Syalde Bikhauti Mela is an annual fair of Dwarahat, Almora, held in April (Vishuvat Sankranti / Baisakhi). Dedicated to Bimandeshwar / Vibhandeshwar. A two-day spring fair at Dwarahat blending temple ritual, the Odar contest and Kumaoni folk dance.

Uttarayani Mela is an annual fair of Bageshwar (Bagnath temple, Saryu–Gomti confluence), held in 14 January (Makar Sankranti). Ancient religious-and-trade fair at the Saryu–Gomti sangam; historically where hill and Bhotia traders met, and a landmark of Kumaon's freedom-movement history.