CHAPTER :FAIRS AND FESTIVALS OF HARYANA

The state of Haryana celebrates the rich, glorious culture of India in its various fairs and festivals that are celebrated with great zeal by its people. There are several fairs and festivals in Haryana that attract a large number of visitors to the state at different times of the year.

Fairs in Haryana

Fairs of Haryana reflect the culture and life of its people. These are held almost in every part of the state. There are variety of fairs like craft fair of Surajkund which is very popular all over India for its arts and crafts, religious fairs, community fairs, and so on. Fairs are held in almost every district of Haryana. These are discussed below.

Fairs of Ambala District

The major fairs held in Ambala district are as follows’.

Kali Mai It is held in Chaitra month (March-April). People perform prayer of Kali Mai in this fair.

Sharda Devi It is held at Trilokpur area of Ambala district. It is organised in the month of Chaitra (March-April).

Gugga Naumi This fair is held in the month of Bhaado (August-September). It is a religious fair.

Teej This fair is held at Panjokhara area of Ambala district. It is organised in the Bhadra/Bhaado on Shukla Paksha Tritiya (August-September). It has a great social importance for people of Haryana.

Vaman Dwadashi It is organised in the month of Bhaado Dwadashi (August- September).

Fairs of Bhiwani District

The major fairs held in Bhiwani district are as follows:

Sati fair This fair is held at Kharak Kalan village of Bhiwani district. It is organised in the month of Bhaado on Shukla Paksha Panchami (August-September). This fair is devoted to Dadi Jagade Sati.

Mungipa This fair is held at Riwasa village in Bhiwani district. It is organised in the Kartik month on Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi (October-November). In this fair people worship Baba Mungipa.

Baba Khedewala This fair is held at Naurangabad village in Bhiwani district. It is organised on the occasion of Raksha-Bandhan. People worship Baba Khedewala is this fair.

Dussehra This fair is held at Lohasu area of Bhiwani district. It is organised on Vijayadashami (at the end of Navratri). People celebrate this fair in the remembrance of Lord Rama’s victory over the Ravana.

Naga Baba This fair is held at Nava Rajgarh place of Bhiwani district. In this fair people worship Naga Baba.

Pooranmasi This fair is held at Tosham town of Bhiwani district.

 

Fairs of Charkhi Dadri District

The major fairs held in Charkhi Dadri district are as follows:

Janmashtami This fair is held in Charkhi Dadri district. It is organised in the month of Bhaado (August-September).

Dussehra This fair is held in Charkhi-Dadri district. It is organised on Vijayadashmi (at the end of Navratri).

Fairs of Faridabad District

The major fairs held in Faridabad district are as follows:

Kanha Gaushala Fair This fair is held at Bahin place of Faridabad. It is organised in the month of Phalguna Panchmi (February-March). The fair is commemorated in the memory of Dada Kanha Rawat of Rawat Jats who was forcibly converted to Islam by Aurangzeb and buried alive. Thus, the fair is held in the cow-shed which is located at the same place.

Baba Udasnath Fair This fair is held at Alawalpur, Faridabad. It is organised is the month of Phalguna on Krishna Paksha Amavasya (February-March). PhooldorFair This fair is held at Attar Chata village in Faridabad. It is organised in the month of Chaitra on Krishna Paksha Dwitiya (March-April). It is commemorated in the memory of Baba Bakshinath.

Kalka Fair This fair is held at Mohna village in Faridabad. It is organised in the month of Chaitra on Shukla Paksha Ashtami (March-April). This fair is held due to the worship of Mata Kalka Devi.

Gugga Pir This fair is held at Bahbalpur village in Faridabad. It is organised in the month of Bhaado on Shukla Paksha Naumi (August-September). It is commemorated in the memory of Gugga Pir.

Janmashtami This fair is held at Dhatir village in Faridabad district. It is organised in the month of Bhaado on Krishna Paksha Ashtami (August- September). In this fair, wrestling is organised which is an important feature of this fair.

Baldev Chhat This fair is held at Ballabhgarh town in Faridabad. This is organised in the month of Bhaado on Shukla Paksha Naumi and Dashami (August-September). It is held to celebrate the birth date of Baldev.

Hanuwa Fair This fair is held in Faridabad. It is organised in the month of Bhaado on Krishna Paksha Ekadashi (August- September).

Kartik Cultural Fair This fair is held at Nahar Singh Mahal in Ballabhgarh town in Faridabad. It is organised by the Haryana Tourism Department to promote the arts and crafts of the state.

Shiv Chaudas Fair It is organised for the celebration of Shivaratri.

Surajkund Crafts Fair It is the most popular fair of Haryana, which is held in the month of February at Surajkund in Faridabad. The fortnight-long fair takes place every year from 2nd to 18th February. The event provides one of the best platforms to local artisans and craftsmen from all over India to showcase their products to a large audience that arrives to witness this important annual event. It is the largest crafts fair in the world.

 

Fairs of Gurugram District

The major fairs held in Gurugram district are as follows:

Shivji Fair This fair is held in Punhana area of Gurugram district. It is organised in the month of February.

Mahadev Fair This fair is held in Inchha Puri village in Gurugram district. This fair is organised on Shukla Paksha Chaturdashi and Purnima in Shravana month (July-August) and Phalguna month (February-March).

Buddho Mata Fair This fair is held in Mubarikpur village in Gurugram district. It is organised at every week in the month of March.

Shitla Mata Fair It is organised on Monday in the month of Chaitra (March-April) and Asadha (June-July). People worship Shitla Devi in this fair.

Shahchokha Khori Fair This fair is held in Khori village in Gurugram district. It is organised in the month of April-May. It is organised by Muslim community in the honour of Shahchokha.

Gugga Naumi Fair This fair is held in Islampur village in Gurugram district. It is organised in the month of Bhadra or Bhaado on Navami (August-September). People perform prayer of Gugga pir in this fair.

Budhi Teej Fair This fair is held in Aladurka place of Gurugram district. It is organised in the month of Bhaado (August-September) on Shukla Paksha teej by the Muslim community of the district.

Bhakt Puranmal Fair This fair is held in Kasan village in Gurugram district. This fair is organised in the month of Bhaado (August-September). People come from distant places to perform prayer of Bhakt Puranmal.

 

Fairs of Hisar District

The major fairs held in Hisar district are as follows:

Shivaji Fair This fair is held in Siswal and Kirmara villages of Hisar district. It is organised in the month of Phalguna (February-March).

Agrasen Jayanti Fair This fair is held in Agroha town of Hisar district. It is organised in the months of March-April in the memory of Maharaja Agrasen. This fair is held for three days. Agroha is considered the origin place of Agravanshi Vaishya.

Navratri Fair This fair is held in Bans and Banbhori villages of Hisar district. It is organised in two months of Hindu Lunar calendar i.e., Chaitra (March-April) and Ashvina (June-July). In this fair, people worship Goddess Durga.

Kali Devi Fair This fair is held in Hansi town of Hisar district. It is organised in the month of May when people celebrate the festival of Kali Devi Puja. This fair is held in the Kali Mata temple.

Gugga Navami Fair This fair is organised in the month of Bhaado on Shukla Paksha Navami (August-September). It is held in the memory of Gugga Pir.

Janmashtami Fair This fair is held in most of the villages of Hisar district. It is organised due to the birthdays of Lord Krishna Ji and Guru Jambheshwar.

 

Fairs of Jind District

The major fairs held in Jind district are as follows:

Sachcha Sauda Fair This fair is held in Singhpura village of Jind district. It is organised in the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur on his birth anniversary (in Pooranmasi) in the month of April.

Ramraihad Fair This fair is held in Ramraihad village of Jind district. It is organised in the months of Vaisakha (April-May) and Kartika (October-November) on Pooranmasi. People go to Maharishi Parshuram temple for puja in this fair.

Hatkeshwar Fair This fair is held in Hat village of Jind district. It is organised on the last Sunday of the month of Shravana Shukla Paksha (July-August).

Bilsar Fair This fair is held in Han Dahar village in Jind district. It is organised on the day of Somvati Amavasya.

Dhamtan Sahib Fair This fair is held in Dhamtan village of Jind district. It is organised at every month in Amavasya. This fair is a symbol of’Hindu-Sikh Unity’.

 

Fairs of Jhajjar District

The major fairs held in Jhajjar district are as follows:

Baba Garibdas Fair This fair is held in Chhurani village in Jhajjar district. It is organised in the month of February-March.

Shyamji Fair This fair is held in Dubaldhan village in Jhajjar district. It is organised in the month of Phalguna on Shukla Paksha Dwadashi (February-March). This fair is famous for the tonsure (shaving off the hair) of children.

Holi/Dhulandi Fair This fair is held in Dulhera village of Jhajjar district. It is organised on the next day of ‘Holika Dahan (March-April).

Bhimeshwari Devi Fair This fair is held in Beri town of Jhajjar district. It is organised twice in a year i.e. in the months of March-April and September-October. Budha Baba Fair This fair is held in Asoda village in Jhajjar district. It is organised in the month of September- October.

 

Fairs of Karnal District

The major fairs held in Karnal district are as follows:

Parasar Fair This fair is held in the historical place of Taraori in Karnal district. It is organised in the month of February in which people worship Lord Shiva.

Devi Fair This fair is held in Pathera village in Karnal district. It is organised in the month of April.

Chhadi Fair This fair is held in Amupur village in Karnal district. It is organised in the month of September. A ‘holy stick’ is worshipped in this fair.

Baba Simrandas Fair This fair is held in Indri city of Karnal district. It is organised in the month of October on the mausoleum of Baba Simrandas.

Pandu Fair This fair is held in Padhana village of Karnal district. It is organised every month.

 

Fairs of Kaithal District

The major fairs held in Kaithal district are as follows:

Pundrak Fair This fair is held in Pundri town of Kaithal district. It is organised in the month of April.

Phalgu Fair This fair is held in Pundri town of Kaithal district. It is organised in the month of Ashvina (September-October).

 

Fairs of Kurukshetra District

The major fairs held in Kurukshetra are as follows.

Pehowa Fair This fair is organised in Pehowa town of Kurukshetra district. This fair is organised in the month of March. Somwati Amavasya festival is also organised at this place. Mahavir Jayanti Fair This fair is held in Ladwa town of Kurukshetra district. It is organised in the month of March on the birth Anniversary of Mahavir.

Devi Fair This fair is held in Shahabad town of Kurukshetra district. This fair is organised in the month of April. Goddess is worshipped by people in this fair. Markanda Fair This fair is held in Shahabad town in Kurukshetra district in the month of April. This place is considered the hermitage of Markandey Rishi.

Surya Grahan Fair This fair is held in Kurukshetra district. It is organised on the day of solar eclipse (July) . On this day devotees gather around and take holy bath. After taking holy bath they organised devotional acts. This fair is very famous in all over India and people from all the states come to join this fair.

 

Fairs of Mahendragarh District

The major fairs held in Mahendragarh district are as follows.

Hanumanji Fair This fair is held in Shobha Sagar (Narnaul) and Dochana villages of Mahendragarh district. This fair is organised in the month of Chaitra on Shukla Paksha (Pooranmashi) March-April.

Bab a Bhilai Nath Fair This fair is held in Naugalgarh place of Mahendragarh district. It is organised in the month of Phalguna of Shukla Paksha (February-March).

Bhura Bhawani Fair This fair is ogranised in the month of Vaisakha (April-May).

Shivji Fair This fair is held in Baghot village of the district. This fair is organised in the month of Shravana on Krishna Paksha Tryodashi (July-August) in the Shiva temple.

Bab a Kesaria Fair This fair is held in Mahendragarh district. It is organised in the month of Bhaado on Krishna Paksha (August- September).

Dhosi Fair This is a huge fair which is organised at a pilgrimage site on Dhosi hills near Narnaul city. It is organised every year in the district. This place is considered the dwelling place of Maharishi Chyavana.

 

Fairs of Mewat District

The major fairs held in Mewat district are as follows:

Shivji Fair This fair is held in Ferozpur Jhirka town of Mewat district. It is organised every year in the month of February.

Ramnavami Fair This fair is held in Ferozpur Jhirka town of Mewat district. It is organised on the birth anniversary of Lord Ram in the month of Chaitra Shukla Paksha Navami (March-April). Ramnavami is also related to the end of Navratri of Maa Durga. It is considered as the biggest festival of Hindu religion.

Rawana Fair This fair is held in Ferozpur Jhirka town of Mewat district. It is organised every year on Vijayadashmi (September-October) as a symbol of victory of good over evil.

 

Fairs of Palwal District

The major fairs held in Palwal district are as follows:

Sati Fair This fair is held near Sati pond in Hodal city of Palwal district. The fair is organised right before Basant Panchmi in January month.

Raksha Bandhan Fair This fair is held in Panchvati area of Palwal district. It is organised in the month of Shravana Purnima (July-August). As per legend, Pandavas spend their days of exile at this place.

Dauji Fair This fair is held near Dauji temple in Banchari village in Palwal district in the month of August-September. Dauji temple is dedicated to lord Balram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna.

 

Fairs of Panipat District

The major fairs held in Panipat district are as follows:

Chaitra Mata Fair This fair is held in Tiwah and Baholi places of Panipat district. It is organised in the month of Chaitra (March-April). People worship their parents and it is also believed that after worshipping of parents, children remain safe from diseases like measles and chicken pox.

Paathri Mata Fair This fair is held in Pathri village of Panipat district. It is organised on every Wednesday in the months of Chaitra (March-April) and Asadha (June-July). Thousands of people came here to fulfil their wishes. Qalandar Shrine Fair This fair is organised after Ramzan month (July-August) on the day of ‘Chaand Rat/It is held in the Qalandar Shrine. A mass prayer is offered in this fair.

 

Fairs of Panchkula District

The major fairs held in Panchkula district are as follows:

Kali Mai Fair This fair is held in Kali Devi temple in Kalka town. It is organised in the month of Chaitra Shukla Paksha Chaturthi (March-April) every year. Lakhs of people come to see this fair.

 

Fairs of Rewari District

The major fairs held in Rewari district are as follows :

Basant Panchami Fair This fair is held in Kathwas village in Rewari district. This fair is organised in the month of Magha (January-February) on Shukla Panchami. Bab a Suraj Giri Historical Fair This fair is held in Khori village in Rewari district. It is organised in the month of Chaitra (March-April) on Krishna Paksha Pratham. Baba Pir Fair This fair is held in Dharuhera town in Rewari district. It is organised in the month of Chaitra (March-April) on Krishna Paksha Chaudas.

 

Fairs of Rohtak District

The major fairs held in Rohtak district are as follows:

Baba Mastnath Fair This fair is held in Bohar village in Rohtak district. It is organised in the months of February-March.

Baba Ganti Das Fair This fair is held in Chhudani village in Rohtak district. It is organised in the months of February-March.

Shyamji Fair This fair is held in Dubaldhan Majra area of Rohtak district. This fair is organised in the month of phalguna on Shukla Paksha (February-March). Tonsure of children is done in these fair and newly married brides also get blessings from here.

Baba Jamna Das Fair This fair is held in Bhalot village in Rohtak district. It is organised in the month of Chaitra on Shukla Ashtami (March-April).

Bhimeshwari Fair This fair is held in Beri town in Rohtak district. It is organised on the days of Navratris in the months of March-April and September-October.

 

Fairs of Sirsa District

The major fairs held in Sirsa district are follows.

Ganga-Gaur Fair or Ganagaur Fair This fair is organised in the month of Chaitra on Shukla Paksha from Tritiya to Panchami (March-April). Ganga Gaur are worshipped in this fair.

Baba Sarsainath Fair This fair is held in Sirsa district. It is organised in the month of Chaitra on Shukla Paksha Ekam (March-April).

Ramdevji Fair This fair is held in Gir, orani and Kagdana villages of Sirsa district. It is organised in the month of Magha on Shukla Dashmi (January-February).

Radhaswami Fair This fair is held in Sikandarpur area of the district. It is organised in the months of March and September.

Gurunanak Dev Fair It is held in Chaurmar area of the district. It is organised in the month of Ashvina (Poornima). It is very important for the religious point of view.

 

Fairs of Sonipat District

The major fairs held in Sonipat district are as follows:

Dera Nagn Balnath Fair This fair is held in Rahra village in Sonipat district. It is organised in the month of Phalguna on Shukla Paksha Navami (February-March).

Baba Ramakshah Fair This fair is held in Khubru village in Sonipat district. It is organised on Pooranmasi in the month of Phalguna (February-March). Baba Ramakshah was Saint of Sayyed Community who treated people with herbs. After his death, his grave was made by Hindu-Muslim devotees.

Satkumbh Fair This fair is held in Kheri Gujjar village in Sonipat district. It is organised on the last. Sunday in the month of Shravana (July-August). Raksha Bandhan Fair This fair is held in Sonipat district. It is organised on Pooranmasi in the month of Shravana (July-August). Many traditional games are organised in this fair, e.g. archery, wrestling, music and dance, etc.

Navaratri Devi Fair This fair is held in Rabhra village of Gohana tehsil in district Sonipat. It is organised on Navaratri in the months of Chaitra on Shukla Paksha Ashtami (March-April) and Ashvina on Shukla Paksha (September-October).

 

Fairs of Yamunanagar District

The major fairs held in Yamunanagar district are as follows:

Gopal-Mochan Fair This fair is held in Jagadhari tehsil near Bilaspur in Yamunanagar district. It is organised in the month of Kartika (October-November) on the Gopal Mohan tank. It is believed that after taking a holy dip in this sacred tank people get rid of all their problems due to sins.

According to a legend, Lord Shiva also took bath in this sacred tank. The Rin Mochan is another water tank situated close to the Gopal Mochan tank. A gurdwara named Kapal Mochan is also establised here in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh ji.

 

Festivals of Haryana

People of Haryana celebrate many colourful festivals with great zeal and joy. Some of the important festivals are discussed below:

Lohri

It is one of the most important festivals of Haryana, and especially celebrated by the Sikh community. This festival is also known as ‘Sankranti of Sikh’. This festival marks the end of winter and welcomes the season of fertility and is celebrated on the 13th January just before Makar Sankranti.

Shiv Chaudas

This festival is celebrated in the month of Phalguna on Shivaratri (February-March). It is especially celebrated in Durana village in Ambala district of Haryana state.

Shivaji Temple Festival

The festival is celebrated in the months of Shravana (July-August) and Phalguna (February-March) on Shukla Paksha. It is mainly celebrated is Bhuryan village in Jind district.

Hola Mohalla

This festival is celebrated in the memory of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Guru of Sikh religion, in the month of Phalguna on Purnima (February-March). It is mainly celebrated in Lakhan Majra village in Rohtak district. It is also a festival of colours.

 

Mahavir Jayanti Festival

This festival is celebrated in the month of March due to the birth anniversary of Mahavir, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara of Jainism. It is celebrated mainly in Ladwa town in Kurukshetra district.

Nav Samvatsar Utsav

In the historic period people of Haryana used to celebrate new year on the first day of Chaitra month (March/April). This festival is associated with the origin of nature. But now its popularity has decreased and it is celebrated by only few people of the state of Haryana.

Durgashtami Festival

This festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April). It is especially celebrated in Nanyola village of Ambala district of Haryana state.

Baisakhi

This festival falls on the first day of Vaisakha month (13th April). This is majorly celebrated by the Sikh community who celebrate this festival due to ripening of the rabi harvest. This festival has tremendous religious importance, as it was on Baisakhi day in 1699 AD, when Guru Gobind Singhji, the tenth Guru laid the foundation of Khalsa Panth.

 

Sili Sate

This is very famous festival which is celebrated after 6 days of Nav Samvatsar Utsav. Women folk perform prayer of Shitla Mata on this festival. As this festival is celebrated by eating stale food thus, it is also known as ‘Basoda festival. During this festival, people perform prayer of Budho Mata on Wednesday.

Nirjala Gyas/Akadashi

This festival forms very important part in the lives of woman of Haryana. It is celebrated in the second fortnight of the Jyestha month (May-June). The women keep fast and abstain from water on this festival. Women also ask wishes for the safety of their husbands.

Bhadliya Navami

This festival is celebrated in the second fortnight of the Asadha month (June-July) which is a symbol of the beginning of the rainy season. As being an agricultural society, this festival is celebrated with great zeal and fervor.

Teej

This is the most important and delightful festival of Shravana month (July-August). This festival reflects the joy of farmers who become happy after seeing their green fields and good harvest. Sindhara, a gift is sent to all married girls who do not go to their parents’ home during this festival.

 

Saloni

This is very ancient festival which is especially celebrated by brothers and sister. In this festival, sisters tie a thread, known as ‘Rakhi’ or Tohnchi’ on the wrist of their brothers and enjoy the festival very much.

Janmashtami

This festival is celebrated in the month of Bhaado on Ashtami (August-September). It is also known as ‘Janti’ in the local language. People perform prayer of Gugga Pir on the next day of Janti festival.

Raksha Bandhan

This festival is celebrated with great joy and fervour in Panchavati and Aurangabad villages of Palwal district. In this festival, people also held a procession of deities.

Gugga Navami

This festival is celebrated in the month of Bhaado (August- September) on Krishna Paksha Navami. It is mainly celebrated in Kanina, Hudina and Narnaul areas of Mahendragarh district.

Dussehra

This festival is celebrated in the month of Ashvina on Shukla Paksha Dashami (September-October). It is majorly celebrated in Rohtak district with great zeal and fervour.

Diwali Festival

This festival is celebrated as Festival of Lights. It is celebrated in the month of October-November. Fireworks are always associated with this festival. The day is celebrated with people lighting diyas, candles all around their house. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening to seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth.

Festivals Organised by Haryana Government

Some of the important festivals organised by Haryana Government are discussed below:

Mango Festival This festival takes place at the Yadavindra Gardens in Pinjore. The Mango Festival in Haryana takes place in the months of June or July. During the Mango Festival in Haryana, many different varieties of mangoes from all over India, from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and also from states like Himachal Pradesh and Punjab are exhibited there. There is also a competition held between mango growers from all over the country who enter their prized fruits at the competition during the Mango Festival.

Gita Festival or Kurukshetra Festival This festival in Haryana is one such festival that is celebrated by both religious and non-religious people. The Kurukshetra Festival in Haryana takes place in the month of November/December. The Kurukshetra Festival in Haryana takes place to mark the Gita Jayanati, or the day the Bhagwad Gita was born. It is during this time that people visit the holy site of Kurukshetra to gain a spiritual experience. Recital of religious shlokas as well as other celebrations such as dance and drama performances and the ‘Deep Daan at the Brahma Sarovar which are all a part of the religious festivities of the Kurukshetra Festival.

Pinjore Heritage Festival In this festival, a yearly fair is organised that offers one a chance to get a sneak-peak into the rich heritage, gardens of Pinjore as well as its promotion in the form of a potential tourist destination. This annual event is managed by the Haryana Tourism Department and other chief state bodies. Pinjore Heritage Festival is celebrated in the month of October every year.

The celebrations of the Pinjore Festival started in 2006. It was celebrated in Yadavindra Garden. The Pinjore Heritage Festival is mainly an exhibition of the culture and tradition of the north Indian state of Haryana.

Mahabharata Festival This festival is held every year at the Kurukshetra in Haryana, to commemorate this day. The Mahabharata Festival in Haryana is held during the month of December. It is celebrated with a number of events and celebrations and is one of the most popular of the Haryana Festivals. During the Mahabharata Festival, there are a number of events that are held. These include recitation of the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita, whereby homage is paid to the Epic Mahabharata and Lord Krishna. A number of seminars and interesting discussions are also held during this festival.

Haryana Day Festival One of the many festivals that keep the state of Haryana in a festive spirit almost all the time is the Haryana Day festival in Haryana. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the day when the state of Haryana was carved out of Punjab in 1966. During the Haryana Festival, there are cycle rallies as well as a rally cum race that is held from Chandigarh to Panchkula town.

The day of the Haryana Day festival also marks the Pakwan Pratiyogita, the food festival that is held at that time, at the tourist complexes. There are also blood donation camps and other Run for Fun events at the Haryana Festival. Haryana Day Festival is celebrated on 1st November of every year.