Fairs and Festivals of Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Introduction

The state of Haryana joins the rest of India in celebrating its diverse and magnificent culture through various festivals and fairs. These events are observed with the same grandeur and joy as in other parts of the country and attract many visitors throughout the year. These festivals provide an opportunity for people to celebrate, enjoy and have a good time, making the state of Haryana come alive with festivity.

Fairs of Haryana

Surajkund International Fair

• The Haryana Tourism department conducts an annual cultural festival in February called the Surjakund Fair, which is a highly celebrated event in the state. The fair is organized with the objective of promoting traditional art and talent prevalent in India. 
• Visitors from various cities and even countries come to witness and participate in this grand event, which showcases the richness of traditional Indian crafts. At the Surajkund Fair in Haryana, various stalls representing different states are decorated in a beautiful manner to showcase the specialties of their respective states. 
• Visitors can be seen bargaining with the shopkeepers while purchasing souvenir items. The fair is known for its traditional touch, and the exemplary handmade items and handlooms add to its beauty. One can see pieces of creative craft work made of wood, bamboo, glass, metal, iron, and textiles displayed throughout the fair. 
• The skilled craftsmanship and creativity of numerous artists and designers play a significant role in making the festival successful. The fair features a unique theme every year, often inspired by a particular Indian state, which is meticulously reflected in the decor and atmosphere of the event. 
• In addition to being a showcase of art and crafts, the Surajkund Mela also serves as a platform to celebrate the harmonious blend of diverse cultures and traditions in India.

Pinjore Heritage Festival

• The Pinjore Heritage Festival is held every year in Pinjore, Haryana and provides a great opportunity for people to explore the rich heritage and beautiful gardens of the town, while also promoting it as a potential tourist destination. 
• Pinjore is an ancient town that has a long history dating back to the Vedic times and has many tourist attractions, with its gardens being the most popular. The festival is organized by the Haryana Tourism Department and other important state bodies. 
• The Pinjore Festival was initiated in 2006, and since then it has been held annually in Yadavindra Garden. The garden is renowned as one of the oldest and most impeccably maintained Mughal-style gardens worldwide. It features seven descending levels and was initially constructed by Mughal rulers. 
• It has since been maintained by the rulers of Himachal Pradesh, the royal house of Patiala, the Gorkhas, and currently, the Haryana Tourism Department. 
• The Pinjore Heritage Festival primarily showcases the culture and traditions of the state of Haryana in northern India. This festival is a melting pot of different cultures, as artists from various parts of the country participate and showcase their art, adding to the grandeur of the event.

Gopal-Mochan Fair

• The Gopal-Mochan fair held near Bilaspur in Jagadhari tehsil, Ambala is well-known. This fair is connected to a sacred tank of the same name. According to legend, Lord Shiva cut off Brahma's head while rescuing Saraswati, who was being chased by him. A lock of Brahma's hair remained in Shiva's hand and his body turned black. 
• Shiva was unable to purify himself for a long time. One night, while resting at a cow shed, he overheard a conversation between a cow and her calf. The calf was planning to kill his master, a Brahmin, to avoid being castrated. 
• The popular fair at Gopal-Mochan near Bilaspur in Jagadhari tehsil, Ambala is held annually in the month of Kartik. This sacred tank is named after the legend that goes like this: Lord Shiva had a lock of hair left in his hand and his body got blackened after he struck off Brahma's head while rescuing Saraswati who was being pursued by Brahma. 
• Shiva couldn't cleanse himself for a long time until he heard a conversation between a cow and her calf about a tank that could wash off any sin. Shiva followed the calf and saw it kill its master. The bodies of the cow and calf were blackened until they cleansed themselves in the Gopal-Mochan tank, which has since retained its virtue. 
• It is believed by many that its water is more efficacious than that of the Ganges at Hardwar. Rin Mochan, another water tank, is situated close to Gopal-Mochan. The fair is a big event where people come to witness and take part in the festivities.

Masani Fair

• The most popular fair in Haryana is held in Gurgaon village to honor Masani, the goddess of small-pox, whose temple is located there. The temple has a legend associated with it, which says that around 250 years ago, the goddess Devi, also known as Masani, appeared in a dream to Singha, a Jat from Gurgaon. 
• She expressed her desire to leave Kesopur, where her shrine was previously located, and asked Singha to build a new temple for her in his village.
• According to legend, about 250 years ago, the goddess Devi appeared in a dream to Singha, a Jat residing in Gurgaon, and requested that he construct a shrine for her in his village as she wanted to leave her current shrine in Kesopur. 
• In return, she authorized Singha to take all the offerings made at her new shrine. Singha promptly carried out the goddess's orders and the shrine gained fame and prospered. Visiting the shrine is believed to be a cure for smallpox and women from far away places visit it with their children. 
• The largest crowd gathers in April-May, but people visit the shrine throughout the year, with Monday being the most popular day. Singha and his descendants enjoyed the offerings for two hundred years.

Festivals of Haryana

Diwali

• Haryana observes Diwali with much enthusiasm, and it falls in the middle of the month of Karthik. The celebration begins with a small Diwali, during which rice and sugar are put in vessels along with a paisa placed on the top, and then given away to Brahmins and girls. 
• This is done to honor the deceased ancestors, who are believed to visit the homes of their families on this day. Houses are cleaned and whitewashed in preparation for the festival. On the next day, called Govardhan Diwali, people light lamps in the evening and distribute sweets. In Haryana, Diwali is a widely celebrated festival, with lots of enthusiasm. 
• The celebration starts with "little Diwali," which falls in the middle of the month of Karthik. On this day, people give away vessels filled with rice and sugar with a paisa placed on top to Brahmins and girls. The ceremony is believed to be performed in the name of deceased ancestors who are said to visit the house of their families on that day. Houses are cleaned and whitewashed for the occasion. 
• The next day, or Govardhan, Diwali lamps are lit in the evening and sweets are distributed. On the following day, all the dirt and old lamps are thrown out onto the refuse dumps outside the village, and new lamps are placed in the house. Diwali is considered a festival for the rich and trading classes who perform pujas that are believed to be auspicious for their profession. The festival is also marked by gambling and merry-making throughout the night, while children enjoy fireworks.

Gugga Naumi

• The people of Haryana celebrate a religious festival in August-September that is associated with the worship of snakes. The festival is known as Gugga Pir or Zahir Pir after the saint who is believed to have had the ability to cure people of snakebites. 
• The saint's grave is located near Dadrewa, which is also called Baggar wala, and it is said that he ruled over that area. The shrine dedicated to Gugga Pir has a square shape, minarets, and a domed roof and is known as "Mari." 
• The saint's day is on Monday, specifically on the 9th of the month. Many legends are associated with Gugga Pir, and he is highly revered by the people of Haryana.

Bathing at Sohna

• Sohna is well-known for its thermal springs, which have healing properties. Every year, several thousand individuals gather at Sohna to bathe in the sulfur springs during Somwati Amavasya, a new moon day that falls on a Monday. 
• However, if this festival falls during the harvest season, the number of people who attend may be smaller.

Holi

• The festival of Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in the regions that are close to Uttar Pradesh. Married women start playing Holi with their husbands four days before the festival by splashing colored water on them. 
• The next day after Holi, known as Dhulandi or Phag, the men splash water on women who retaliate by playfully beating them with sticks or twisted cloth strips called kolras. The men act as if they are helpless, and their comical attempts to protect themselves result in much fun and enjoyment.

Dussehra

• Dussehra is considered the main Hindu festival and is connected with the epic Ramayana and its protagonist, Rama. The celebrations span about a month. The first part is the Shradas, which begin in early September and last for over two weeks. 
• Brahmins are fed during these days in memory of deceased elders of the family. The Shradas are followed by Nauratas, nine in number as the name implies. On each of these days, oats are watered either in the field or in large utensils. On the day of Dussehra, people eat pudding (halwa) with rice and are cured.
• The Brahmins are also given food. Everyone in the family, except women, puts stalks of green oats on their head. The Ram Leela is performed in different locations. On the last day, the effigies of the demon king Ravana and his supporters are burnt, which marks the end of the festival.