Fairs
& Festivals In Uttar Pradesh
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.
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