The religious, social and cultural urges of the people of Uttaranchal find an expression in various fairs, which are in turn closely linked to the economic activities of the region. Various folk songs and dances have been kept alive because of these fairs. In older times, when means of transport were not so good these fairs were an opportunity for friends and relatives to meet regularly. Inspite of all the changes in our society, the tradition of fairs has been kept up by the people. The fairs of Jauljibi, Thal and Bageshwar have been closely linked with the trading activities of the people of this region, while the fairs at Dwarahat, Syalde and Devidhura are important from the religious and cultural point of view.

On auspicious occasions, these centers of faith turn into venues of fascinating festivals, when people from far and wide gather there to offer their obeisance to the deity and give musical expression to their joy and happiness. The following are the major fairs & festivals of Uttaranchal:

The Shravan fair (Jageshwar Mela)
Jageshwar, lying in the beautiful Jatganga valley & housing one of the 12 jyotirlingas of India. This fair is held on the fifteenth day of the month of Baishakh (late March or early April) at the Shiva temple in Jageshwar. During the fair people take holy dips in the Brahma Kund (pool) and worship Lord Shiva. On this day, fairs are also held in many other places.

Gananath Fair
Gananath is situated 47 km from Almora which is 2116 mt above sea level. the fair is held here every year on Kartik Poornima (Oct./Nov.),When 1000 of pilgrims come to workship Lord Shiva & Ganesh.

Makar Sankranti (Ghughutiya)
According to the Hindu religious texts, on the day of Uttarayani, the sun enters the Zodiacal sign of 'Makar' (Capricon) from the Zodiacal sign of the Kark (Cancer), i.e. from this day onwards the sun becomes 'Uttarayan' or it starts moving to the north. O this festival Crow has to be invited & serve the 'Ghughte' which has been prepared with sweet flour. Children use to wear garland which is to be prepared by 'Ghugnte', Oranges and peanuts. On this day fairs are also organised. This is the famous festival of Kumaon.

Narela
Narela is the festival which is to be celebrated by Kumaonis in 'Sawan'. Before this festival the people use to saw five or seven or nine types of crops like- Wheat, Corn, etc. and on ninth day they has to be reaped. On tenth day harela is to be cut, on this day Lord Shiva-Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikey's statue is to be colored & harela is to be kept on head.