Fairs and Festivals

Almost every time you visit the holy city of Haridwar, you’re sure to find a fair going on. Many of them are organised around the important bathing dates of the Hindu calendar including Somwati Amavasya, Karthik Poornima, Shrvan Poornima and Ganga Dussehra. In the month of Shravana (the fifth month of the Hindu calendar – beginning in late July and ending in the third week of August), there is the popular Kanwad Mela. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kanwad Yatra is the annual pilgrimage of the Kanwariyas (devotees of Lord Shiva) to Hindu pilgrimages including Haridwar. In fact, the city sees lakhs of Kanwariyas coming to take a bath in the holy River Ganga. Then there is a Haridwar Mahotsava that the district administration has taken the onus of organising every year. This cultural festival, held on the banks of the Ganga, goes on for up to four days and sees enthusiastic participation. At the Dargah Piran Kaliyar, Urs is observed annually, and cutting across religious and caste barriers, thousands come and pray for the well-being of their loved ones.