The state of Haryana celebrates the rich, glorious culture of India in its various fairs and festivals that are celebrated with equal pomp and gaiety here as all over the country. There are several fairs and festivals in Haryana that attract a large number of visitors to the state at different times of the year. These festivals are occasions of celebration, fun and frolic when the entire state of Haryana bustles with life. We at Indian Holiday take you on tours to Haryana where you can also enjoy being a part of these frolicsome fairs and festivals that are observed with much fervor all across the state.
FAIRS
Baisakhi at Pinjore
Baisakhi is one of the most popular festivals of Northwest India that is celebrated on a large scale particularly in the states of Punjab and Haryana. As such, Baisakhi at Pinjore, a small town in Haryana, is a grand event that is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety among the locals as well as visitors from across the country.
Surajkund Crafts Mela
Surajkund Crafts Mela is one of the largest crafts fair in India that is held every year in the Surajkund district of Haryana. The fair is truly the most popular among all fairs and festivals in Haryana and attracts visitors in large numbers from all parts of the country. Even several tourists from the world over arrive at the Surajkund Crafts Mela every year to witness the glorious culture and heritage of India.
Mango Mela (June/July ) at Yadavindra Gardens, Pinjore
Summers can never be over without a mango feast. That is what the Mango mela at Yadavindra Gardens, Pinjore , is all about. Hundred of species of Mango from as far away as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh as also from Haryana, Himachal ,Punjab, arrive delighting just about every one with their hybird shapes and quality. Competitions of preserved goods, fruit and products are held, colours of cultural extravaganza are also held at the event while stalls sees fastfoods.
Hayana Day (1st September) at all Tourist Resorts
This festival celebrates the birthday of Tourism in Haryana. It was on Ist September that Haryana Tourism Corporation came into existence.This day marks the Tourism Day celebrations.Cycle rally-cum-race is held from Chandigarh on to Panchkula town,. The day also marks on ”Pakwan Pratiyogita, Blood Donation camp and Run for Fun events. competition. Musical evenings are held. Illumination and contest are orgainsed at all complexes of Haryana Tourism.
Mahabhartha Festival(December) at Kuruksehetra
One of the most delightful experiences that has begun at Kurukshetra is the Gita Jayanti celebrations. A series of events are held. These include the recitation of the Shrimad Bhagwad Gita,,pageants celebrating the Epic Mahabharata and Lord Krishna. Seminars on the holy Bhagwad Gita and performances by theatre groups, Bhajan recitals, the ‘aarti' and ‘Deep' Daan' at the Brahma Sarover holy water tank mark the day. Each event is glittering memorable and a deeply soulful experience.The celebrations commemorate the holy scripture: Bhagwad Gita and lord Krishna. The event is celebrated with seminars and cultural events.
FESTIVALS
Diwali
In Haryana Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm. It comes in the middle of the month of Karthik. First comes the little Diwali on which rice and sugar put in vessels, with a paisa placed on the top, are given away to Brahmins and girls. The deceased ancestors are said to visit the house of their families on that day, and it is in their name that the ceremony is performed. Houses are whitewashed and cleaned. On the next day, or Govardhan, Diwali lamps are lighted in the evening and sweets distributed. On the following day all the sweepings are thrown out on to the refused dumps outside the village. The old lamps are also thrown their and new ones placed in the house. The rich and trading classes specially consider Diwali as their own festival. On this occasion they perform pujas, which are considered auspicious for their profession.
Diwali is also celebrated by gambling in various ways throughout the night accompanied by merry making. For children Diwali provides an occasion for fire works. More about Diwali
Dussera
Dussera is probably the chief Hindu festival, being associated with the great Epic Ramayana and its renowned hero, Rama . The celebrations last nearly a month. First come the Shradas, early in September and lasts over a fortnight. The Brahmins are fed on these days in memory of the deceased elders of the family. The Shradas are followed by Nauratas, which as the name implies are nine in number. Oats sown in the field or deposited in big utensils, are watered on each of these days. On the Dussera day, pudding (halwa) is eaten with rice and cured. The Brahmins are also fed. All the members of the family except woman put stalks of green oats on their head. Ram Leela is enacted in various places. On the last day the effigies of the demon king Ravana and his supporters are burned, which forms the concluding event. More about Dussera
Holi
Holi is celebrated with considerable zest, particularly in the area bordering Uttar Pradesh. Four days before the festival, married women play Holi with their men folk by throwing coloured water on them. The day following Holi, Dhulandi (Phag), men folk throw water on women who retaliate by a mock beating with sticks or kolras (twisted cloth strips). The men act as if they are powerless and they pretended attempts at shielding themselves lead to much fun and amusement. More about Holi
Gugga Naumi
This is a religious festival, celebrated all over Haryana. It is connected with snake-worship and observed in August-September. A number of legends have clustered around Gugga Pir or Zahir Pir (the saint). He is also referred to as Baggar wala because of his grave near Dadrewa near Ganga nagar, a tract over which he is said to have ruled. He was reputed to have the power of curing people of snake-bite. Monday is his day, the date being 9 th . The shrine is distinguished by its square shape with minarets and domed roof. It is called 'Mari'.
Bathing at Sohna
Sohna is famous for its hot springs, which have medicinal qualities, several thousand people assemble at Sohna on Somwati Amawas to bathe in sulphur springs. The crowd would be small if the festival happens to fall during harvest-time.
Other festivals are Ram Naumi, Solono (Raksha Bandhan) and Bhai Duj.
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