Festivals of Uttar Pradesh

Fairs & Festivals of Uttar Pradesh  


Deva Mela

Deva mela, Barabanki is annually held at Deva, 10 km. from Barabanki at the revered shrine of the Haji Waris Ali Shah. Held in months of October and November, Deva mela at Barabanki show-cases the spirit of communal harmony in Uttar Pradesh and India.

Deva mela, Barabanki features games, music, poetry conferences and great shopping opportunities. But it is fundamentally a religious fair, and attracts devotees from all over India, Pakistana and from parts of the Middle East as well. 

Deva mela, Barabanki is primarily a Muslim religious occasion. The Urs or commemoration of the sacred shrine of the Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah is attended by devoted Muslims from every corner of India. The fact that it attracts devotees in great numbers from the neighboring countries, provides great opportunities for each visitor interaction with the neighboring brethren.

The feeling of peace and harmony is predominant. Because of its pomp and color, Deva mela of Barabanki attracts many non-Muslims as well. As such, the fair ground becomes a site of communal harmony and national unity which represents the very spirit of India. 

A cattle fare is the highlight of Deva mela, Barabanki. There are games like volleyball, hockey and athletics held daily. They add much to the excitement of the people who gather at the fair grounds. musical conferences, poetic conferences and many other cultural events that add to the attraction of Barabanki's Deva mela. Many shops are set up to commemorate the occasion. These shops, which are beautifully illuminated at night, provide great vibrancy to the fair ground along with shopping opportunities to the visitors. Many sell authentic handicrafts made by the master craftspersons of Uttar Pradesh at Deva mela, Barabanki. The fair ends on a high note with a great exhibition of fireworks on the final night. 

Holi

Holi marks the onset of spring. It is celebrated with colors and great spirit.Holi in Uttar Pradesh is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.As the legend goes, Hiranya Kashyap, the demon ruler of the 'Sapta Deep' used to think that he was more powerful than God. He attempted to murder his youngest son Prahlad, who had deep faith on Lord Vishnu. This was because the child refused to acknowledge him to be mightier than the God. Holika, the sister of the demon, who had a divine garment which would save her from fire, entered the burning pyre along with Prahlad on her lap. But she got burnt. 

Holi thereby marks the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated with grand extravaganza throughout Uttar Pradesh. The Indian mythological tale tells us that Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in human form celebrated holi with the Gopi's (cowherd maids). To commemorate this tradition with honor, in Braj, holi celebrations continues for more than a week.

The Rasiya marks the playful teasing of the Gopis by the Gopes (cowherd boys) performed by groups of men and women by means of special holi songs as well as dances. 

On the day of holi at Uttar Pradesh, the air is full of gulal and abeer of different colors. People apply it on each other as well as to the feet of the elders of the family. Pichkaris having different shapes and sizes overflow in the shops of Uttar Pradesh. 

Gujiya, mathri, laddoos add sweetness to the occasion of holi. Bhang or Cannabis are also consumed by the people. If you go to the banks of the river Ganges, you will find people sitting totally drenched in colors and preparing thandai which has an intense intoxicating effect. 

Holi, the festival of colors is celebrated on the full moon Phagun. It corresponds to the month of March according the English calendar. 

Janamashtami

Janmashtami is a festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated in its highest form in Mathura and Brindavan in Uttar Pradesh. 

On Janmashtami, the Mathura and the Brindavan in Uttar Pradesh rejoices with the commemoration of the lord of the universe, Lord Krishna. He took his birth in Mathura on the very day on which we celebrate the Janmashtami. Brindavan was the place where he spent his younger days with the gopis. This is the place where he used to be with Radhika. Till now the people of these two places are unbelievable admirers of the age-old hero. They celebrate Janmashtami or his birthday with unending enthusiasm and happiness. 

Whenever you go to Mathura make it a point to witness the temple on the very spot where Lord Krishna was born. On the day of Janmashtami, innumerable devotees from all parts of the country gather to visit this Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple. 

Here they practice hymns, listen to the sacred tales and offer their prayers and worships. 

On the day of Janmashtami there is a ceremony in the main hall of the temple. The image of Lord Krishna is bathed by the priests together with which the holy mantras are chanted. When the pujas are over the devotees break their day long fasts with fruits or prashadams. 

During the hour of the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight the deity is taken out of the temple and people cheer in great celebrations. The air is filled with the sound of conch shells as well as with praising the Lord. 

Kailash Fair

Kailash fair, Agra in Uttar Pradesh is a colorful carnival. India is a land of fairs and festivals which are always celebrated with a huge enthusiasm. 

A visit to Kailash fair, Agra will give you the scope of witnessing one of the biggest and most popular festivals in India. The Kailash fair is held at Kailash which lies at a distance of hardly 12 kilometers from Agra. 

The Kailash fair, Agra is known to be celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. As the legend goes, Lord Shiva himself came to this sacred place in the disguise of a stone lingam. This has an immense value to the devotees who firmly believe in such legends.

They think that the Lord is always there in the lingam and are listening to all of their prayers. You will be astonished to know that there are thousands of them who gather here with the belief that all their wishes will be fulfilled in the Kailash fair of Agra. 

In the Kailash fair, Agra in Uttar Pradesh one will find oneself to be in an air full of happiness. The place is marked by an ambiance of joy and celebrations. You will find people chanting the mantras, young boys and girls running here and there. The ladies wearing the best of their sarees and gorgeously adorned with ornaments can also be found. 

The whole thing together makes the Kailash fair, Agra a spectacular event. Not only the temples but all the streets are decorated often with colorful papers. Numerous temporary shops are set which sell toys, foods, sweets, ornaments and many more things. The Kailash fair in Agra is celebrated every year in the months of August and September. So next year make it a point to witness the great fair. 

Ramnavami Mela

Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. It is usually celebrated in the month of Chaitra according to the Indian calender which generally corresponds to the March or April of the English calendar. 

Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya is the testimonial of love, faith and devotion of the people in the state for their great hero Ramchandra, the central character of the Indian epic Ramayana. The Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya is dedicated to Lord Rama. 

On the ninth day (navami)of the lunar month Ramnavami Mela is celebrated in all parts of the country. The festival centers around the birth of Rama or Ramchandra who is known for his values, justice and over all his love towards his brothers and his subjects. 

Ramrajya (the reign of Rama) was an era marked with great peace, prosperity and wealth. Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya is not only restricted to this particular state but it is also celebrated all over the country 

The worship begins with ablutions in the early morning, chanting Vedic mantras which are dedicated to Vishnu. People in large numbers offer flowers, fruits and sweets to the deity. The devotees maintain a fast all through the day which is broken only at midnight with fruit. 

In many regions of India, on the day of Ramnavami Mela especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, public gatherings called sat-sangs are organized. 

The devotees gather in large numbers in the temples of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the Ramnavami Mela which is the birth place of Rama. They celebrate the occasion with extreme joy and enthusiasm.