Fairs & Festivals Part 1 by Dr. Gaurav Garg
Fair vs Festivals -
● Fairs and festivals are two public events that most of us enjoy. However, many people use these two
words interchangeably.
● Fair can be described in a general sense as a gathering of people for various entertainment or commercial activities.
● Festivals are a celebration of an event for religious or cultural reasons.
● Sometimes Fairs can be called festivals but festivals can not be called ‘Fairs’.
Flamingo Festival : Andhra Pradesh
● The Flamingo Festival has been organised for the past 12 years .
● The three-day annual Flamingo Festival was held at Pulicat lake and Nelapattu Bird
Sanctuary, Nellore.
Srivari Brahmotsavam Festival : Andhra Pradesh
● Sri Venkateswara Swami vari Brahmotsavam or Srivari Brahmotsavam is the most significant annual fête celebrated at
the Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala-Tirupati, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India.
● The feast lasts for one month during the Hindu calendar month of Āśvina, which falls between the Gregorian calendar
months of September and October.
● The Utsava-murti (processional deity)
of the presiding deity, Venkateswara,
and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi
are taken on a procession on several
vahanams on the streets surrounding
the temple.
Visakha Utsav : Andhra Pradesh
● This is one of those cultural and famous festival of Andhra Pradesh which is organized by
the state government. The four-day festival started back in 1997.
● People come in large numbers to witness cultural shows, sports events, traditional crafts,
an exhibition of garments, flower shops, and several heritage tours.
● The festival of Visakha starts by the end of December every year. It has a duration of 4
days.
Tirupati Ganga Jatara : Andhra Pradesh
● Tirupati Ganga Jatara is the annual folk festival of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh . It
is a week-long event which falls between the first and second weeks of May
every year.
● This festival is to offer prayers to the goddess Gangamma , the Gramadevata
(the goddess looking after the village) of Tirupati.
Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival : Arunachal Pradesh
● The government of Arunachal Pradesh in January 2020 declared the Pakke Paga Hornbill
Festival (PPHF) – the state’s only conservation festival, as a “ state festival ”.
● The first-ever PPHF was held on January 16–18, 2015. The organizers had a number of
objectives in mind—to recognise the role played by the resident Nyishi tribe in
conserving hornbills in the Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR) .
Boori Boot Yollo festival : Arunachal Pradesh
● The Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh celebrates its fortnight-long Boori Boot Yollo
festival.
● Boori Boot Yollo is observed in the month of February every year to welcome spring
and a successful harvest.
Yomgo River Festival : Arunachal Pradesh (Aalo town)
● The Yomgo River Festival (Siang River Festival) is held to celebrate communal
harmony in Arunachal Pradesh.
● The main purpose of the festival is to highlight the vast potentials of tourism in the
state and to attract Indian as well as foreign tourists.
Solung Festival : Arunachal Pradesh
● One of the popular agriculture festivals, Solung is celebrated by the Adi Tribes .
● The festival is celebrated in the first week of September , after the sowing of seeds, to
seek prosperity and a good harvest.
Bihu : Assam
● Kati Bihu festival is celebrated across Assam.
● Bihu are three festivals held in Assam :-
○ Bhogali or Magh Bihu is observed on January 13th or 14th.
○ Rongali or Bohag Bihu is observed on April 14th or 15th.
○ Kongali or Kati Bihu is observed in October.
● The festival derives its name from the Assamese month of Kati.
● The festival is held at this time of the year since the granaries of the farmers
usually remain empty and therefore it is known as Kongali (poor) Bihu .
● Magh Bihu, also called Bhogali Bihu (Bihu of eating Bhog i.e. enjoyment) is a
harvest festival celebrated in Assam, North-East India, which marks the end of
harvesting season in the month of Magh .
● Bohag Bihu also called Rongali Bihu, the most popular Bihu celebrates the
onset of the Assamese New Year (around 14–15 April) and the coming of Spring.
● The farmers prepare the fields for cultivation of paddy and there is a feeling of joy around.
Dwijing Festival : Assam
● The Dwijing Festival is an annual festival set on the banks of ' Aie river ', meaning mother,
Aie river in Chirang district, near Bongaigaon.
● The festival is a colorful celebration of Assam's culture. To promote river tourism in the
rural area.
Ambubachi Mela : Assam
● The Ambubachi Mela is an annual Hindu mela held
at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam.
● It is the celebration of the yearly menstruation
course of goddess Kamakhya .
● It is believed that the presiding goddess of the
temple, Devi Kamakhya, the Mother Shakti, goes
through her annual cycle of menstruation during this
time stretch.
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