Fairs & Festivals of Andaman & Nicobar Islands:
Island Festival, Port Blair (March) and ‘Ossuary Feast’ (Pig Festival) are the important festivals of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Fairs & Festivals of Assam:
The three Bihu festivals — Bohag Bihu (Rangali Bihu), Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu) and the Kangali Bihu or Kati Bihu – and the religious festivals like Ali-Ali Lignos festival, Ambubashi Mela in Kamakhya shrine, Sivaratri Mela at Umanand, Ashokastami Mela, Pausha mela and Parasuram Mela and the Tea Festival (November) are some of the important festivals of Assam.
Fairs & Festivals of Andhra Pradesh:
Ashtabhandhana Balalaya Mahasamprokshanam Festival: It is held once in every twelve years at Lord Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati during which the sanctum sanctorum is cleaned.
Batkamma: This is a floral festival celebrated by newly married ladies of the Telangana region in honour of Goddess Batkamma (Parvati).
Bonalu Festival: It is the annual Ashada Jatara festival held in the honour of Sri Ujjaini Mahakali during which decorated pots known as ghatams are filled with flowers and installed in various important temples.
Krishna Pushkaram: It is a special festival that takes place every twelve years in which thousands bathe in the Krishna waters.
Mother Mary Festival: It is celebrated every year on September 8th at the 40-year old octagonal church at Khairtabad, Hyderabad in the honour of ‘Our Lady of Health’ (Mother Mary).
The International Pearl and Bangle Festival (January) is another important festival of Andhra Pradesh.
Fairs & Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh:
Important festivals of Arunachal Pradesh include Annucno Torgia (a Buddhist festival), Nyokam, Mopin, Tamladu, Reh, Ojiyale, Boori-Boot and Losar.
Fairs & Festivals of Bihar:
Chhath Festival: This is a post-harvest festival in which offerings are made to Surya or the Sun God.
Shravan: It is a festival celebrated during the month of Shravan (July-August) where devotees pour gangajal on the Shiva Lingam at the Baijnath Temple at Deogarh in Bihar.
Sonepur Mela: It is Asia’s biggest cattle fair held in October/November.
Vaishali Mahotsava: It is held to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jain Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira in the month of “Vaishakh” (mid- April).
The other important fairs and festivals of Bihar include Jomnama, Malamasa Mela, Makar Sankranti, Pataliputra Mahotsava and Pitra Paksh Tarpan.
Fairs & Festivals of Chandigarh:
Festival of Gardens: Earlier known as the Rose Festival, since 1997 it is re-christened as the ‘Festival of Gardens’. It involves performances of music and dance, flower shows and exhibitions.
Maha Moorkh Sammelan: This is a unique gathering of various poets from all over the country on April Fools’ Day (April 1). Chandigarh is the only city in India to host such a gathering.
The other important festivals of Chandigarh include the Chandigarh Carnival, Chrysanthemums Show and the Mango Festival.
Fairs & Festivals of Chhattisgarh:
Bastar Dussehra: It is one of the foremost festivals of Chhattisgarh in which the tribes celebrate the festival of Dussehra in the Danteshwari Temple in Jagdalpur by honouring the local deities. This is an ancient festival, which traces its origin to the 15th century Kakatiya rule.
Madai Festival: This is a tribal festival, which is celebrated by the tribes of Kanker and Bastar regions, to worship the local Goddess.
Hareli: This is an agricultural festival celebrated in the month of ‘Shravan’, during which the farmers worship farm tools and cows.
Pola: It is a festival in which bulls are worshipped and bull races are organized.
Bhagoriya, Bhoramdeo Mahotsav, Chakradhar Festival, Cherta, Goncha Festival, Hariyali, Kajari, Kora, Narayanpur Mela Navakhani, Rajim Lochan Mahotsav and Sheorinarayan Fair are other important fairs and festivals of Chhattisgarh.
Fairs & Festivals of Delhi:
Balloon Mela (October); Garden Tourist Festival (February); International Citrus Festival (January); International Kite Festival (January); International Mango Festival (July); Phool Walon Ki Sair and Qutub festival are the important festivals celebrated in Delhi.
Fairs & Festivals of Goa:
Goa Carnival (February), International Sea Food Festival (Nov/Dec) and Feast of St. Xavier (Jan/Nov) are important festivals of Goa.
Fairs & Festivals of Gujarat:
Chitra Vichitra Fair: The origin of this fair can be traced back to the days of the Mahabharata. There is a colourful display of tribal culture and costumes of the ‘Bhil’ and ‘Garasia’ tribes during this fair.
Dang Darbar: It is held at Ahwa, in Dang District in the month of March when the tribals congregate and celebrate Holi in their own unique way.
Modhera Dance Festival: This annual festival is held at the Sun Temple at Modhera.
International Kite Festival: This immensely popular kite flying festival is held in important cities of Gujarat. Designer kites of infinite variety are displayed at the venue.
Madhavrai Fair: This fair is held at Madhavpur near Porbandar to celebrate the marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra (March/April).
Modhera Dance Festival: This annual festival is held at the Sun Temple at Modhera.
Shamlaji Fair: The Shamlaji Fair or the Kartik Poornima Fair is one of the largest fairs celebrated at Shamlaji, in Sabarkantha District of Gujarat. The fair is popular among the tribals, particularly the ‘Bhils’, who revere the Shamlaji deity as Kalio Bavji, the dark divinity.
Tarnetar Fair: This colourful fair is held during Bhadrapada (August/September) at the Trinetreshwar Temple of Tarnetar village in the honour of Lord Shiva. This village is also believed to be associated with the Swayamwar of Draupadi. Various colourful dances like Garba, Hudo and Rasada are performed during this fair.
Vautha No Melo: Situated at the confluence of two rivers near Ahmedabad, the site attracts people of all communities. Animals, particularly donkeys and camels are sold in large numbers during this fair, which is held in November every year.
Ambaji Fair, Bhavanath Fair, Kutch Utsav, Somnath Festival and Vautha No Melo are other important fairs and festivals of Gujarat.
Fairs & Festivals of Haryana:
Haryali Teej and Surajkund Mela are the important fairs and festivals of Haryana.
Fairs & Festivals of Himachal Pradesh:
Ghantal Festival: It is celebrated in the month of June at the Guru Ghantal Monastery in the Lahaul valley.
Halda: This festival is celebrated by the Lamas in January in the Lahaul Valley.
Lohri or Maghi: The festival of Lohri is celebrated in the month of January to commemorate the last sowing of the Rabi crop.
Manimahesh Yatra: This Yatra is taken to the sacred lake of Manimahesh in the Chamba district in the month of August, after the festival of Janamashtami.
Pauri Festival: Pauri festival is held at Udaipur in the Lahaul Valley at the Trilokinath Temple, which is sacred to both the Hindus and the Buddhists.
Phagli: Phagli is another important festival of the Lahaul Valley, which is celebrated towards the end of winter and beginning of the spring season.
Other important festivals of Himachal Pradesh include Chait, Haryali, Lahaul Festival and Tushimig. The Kinnaur district is known for its several festivals like the Beesh, Dakhraini, Deeval, Koshme, Phagul, Phulech (Flaich or Oo-khayang), Shukud, Sazo and Suskar.
Himachal Pradesh is also known for its various fairs such as the Bala Sundri Fair, Bhawan Dwadashi Fair, Chhatrari Fair, Dal Fair, Dhoogri Fair, Gaddi Fair, Gugga Fair, Ladarcha Fair, Lavi Fair, Minjar Fair, Nagini Fair, Nalwari Fair, Phool Yatra, Renuka Fair, Sari Fair, Shrawan Fair, Sipi Fair, Solan Fair and Sui Fair.