Traditional fairs hold a significant place in the cultural fabric of India, serving as platforms for social, economic, and cultural exchange. These fairs, often rooted in age-old traditions and customs, bring together communities from far and wide, fostering a sense of unity and collective celebration.
Village fairs serve as important marketplaces where artisans, craftsmen, and traders showcase their products, creating opportunities for economic transactions and livelihoods. Additionally, these fairs provide a space for religious and spiritual gatherings, with pilgrims and devotees coming together to pay homage to deities and seek blessings.
| Fair | Place | Time of the year |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ambubachi Mela | Kamakhya Temple, Assam | Assamese month 'Ahaar' |
| 2. Baneshwar Fair | Dungarpur Mahadev Temple, Rajasthan | February |
| 3. Chandrabahaga Fair | Jhalarapatan, Jhalawar, Rajasthan | Kartik month (October-November) |
| 4. Gangasagar Fair | Gangasagar Island, West Bengal | January - February |
| 5. Pushkar Fair | Pushkar, Rajasthan | Kartik (Oct - Nov) |
| 6. Sonepur Cattle Fair | Sonepur at the confluence of Ganga and Gandak, Bihar | Kartik month (Oct - Nov) |
| 7. Nauchandi Fair | Meerut, U.P. | For 1 month, starting second day after Holi |
| 8. Surajkund Handicrafts Mela | Surajkund in Faridabad, Haryana | 1 to 15 February |
| 9. Thrissur Pooram | Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur, Kerala | Malayalam month 'Medam' |
| 10. Medaram Jatara or Sammakka Saralamma Jatara | Medaram in Warangal, Telangana | January - February |
| 11. Madhavpur Mela | Madhavpur Ghed in Porbander (Guj) | March-April (for 5 days from Ramnavami) |
| 12. Kumbh Mela | Nasik, Ujjain, Allahabad, Haridwar | Varies according to star position |
| Kumbh Mela is held once in 12 years. All others are held annually. | ||