Uttar Pradesh Fairs & Festivals

HOLI

Holi heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. According to a legend, Hiranya Kashyap, the demon who ruled over 'Sapta Deep' believed himself to be more powerful than God. He contemplated killing his youngest son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu after he refused to worship him as God.

Holika, the demon's sister who possessed a divine, garment to protect her from fire, agreed to enter the burning pyre with Prahlad in her lap but got burnt herself.

Holi thus signifies the triumph of good over evil and is marked by grand festivities all over India and particularly in the Braj area where it is celebrated with great gaiety and fervour.

It is believed that Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in human form played holi with the Gopi's (cowherd maids) in the ancient past. Keeping this tradition alive in Braj, Holi celebrations last for more than a week and are marked by people sprinkling colored water & smearing colored powder on each other.

The playful teasing of the Gopis by the Gopas (cowherd boys) is enacted by groups of men and women through special Holi songs and dances, called Rasiya.

Barsana Holi

48 km. from Mathura at Barsana, is celebrated the famous "Latthmaar Holi" of Braj. Tradition has it that Krishna from Nandgaon use to come to Barsana to play Holi with Radha alongwith his Gopi friends. The Gopis after merriment chased away the Gopas of Nandgaon by beating them with "lathis". So it came to be known as the 'Latthmar Holi' of Barsana.

To this day, the village women have the freedom to literally take up cudgels against their menfolk, a right they exercise with all enthusiasm and shower colored water as an expression of joy.

The main celebrations at Barsana, take place at the Ladliji temple, dedicated to Sri Radha Rani, (the beloved of Sri Krishna).

Nandgaon

The day after Barsana Holi, it's the turn of Nandgaon to get soaked with the myriad hues of holi. The men and women of Barsana go to Nandgaon (7 km.) to play Latthmar Holi with each other.

Dadjee Ka Huranga (Baldeo)

20 km. from Mathura, the town is named after Balram the elder brother of Sri Krishna. A temple dedicated to Baldeo stands in the centre of the town.

The Holi festival celebrated here is famous as Daujee Ka Huranga. Men & women collect here in large numbers to play holi.

Falen

Falen, a village 15 km. from Kosi, celebrates Holi in a very special way and has great significance. A "Panda" (Holyman) walks bare feet over holy pyres without getting burnt, symbolising Prahlad's emergence from the burning pyre unharmed.



Kampil Fair, Kampil

Kampilya called Kampil today, is a village in tehsil Kasganj of Etah district, situated on the banks of the Ganga. During the epic period it was the capital of King Drupad, the father of the Queen Draupadi, wife of the five Pandava's of Mahabharat. It was the birth place of the 13th tirthaiikar Brahlan Vimal Nath and was graced by the visit of Lord Mahavir. The neighboring ruins and mounds contain the relics and sculptures of Jain period. Every year a Jain Mela is held for five days in the month of March thronged by Jain devouts.

Bateshwar Fair, Agra

Situated at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river Yamuna, Bateshwar is an important spiritual and cultural centre.

The place is named after the presiding deity of the region, Bateshwar Mahadeo and has 108 temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. During the months of Oct. & Nov. a large fair is organized from Shashthi of Kartik month to Panchami of Agrahayan month. Devotees congregate here in large numbers to worship Lord Shiva and take holy dips in river Yamuna. A livestock fair is also organized and owners and buyers conduct serious business combined with the gaiety of a market place.

Deva Mela, Barabanki

The annual urs of Haji Waris Ali Shah is celebrated during Oct.-Nov. months at Deva 10 km. from Barabanki. This fair attracts pilgrims from as far as Pakistan and the middle east countries. The shrine of the Sufi Saint is much revered by Muslim pilgrims all over the world.

Kailash Fair, Agra

Held at Kailash. 12 km. from Agra during the months of Aug.-Sept. It is a major fair celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva who is believed to have appeared here in the form of a stone lingam.

Rambarat, Agra

The marriage procession of Sri Ram, is held every year during Ramlila celebrations at Agra.

Every year a new locale of the town is chosen as Janakpuri, which is elaborately decorated to perform the royal wedding. The Rambarat (marriage procession) starts from Lala Channomaiji Id Baradari for Janakpuri passing through different parts of the town. The barat is a large procession of Jhankis followed by the swaroops of Ram-Lakshman mounted on elephants.