| Hola
Mohalla, (National Fair) Anandpur Sahib: |
| 90
km from Chandigarh. Mid-March immediately after the festival of Holi.The 10th
Prophet of the Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji had started this fair in 1700-AD.
To the traditional festival of the colours, Holi, he added spiritual and martial
dimensions. The fair begins a few days before Holi & is marked by the congregation
of Sikh from all over the State, who arrive on trucks and tractors. A large number
of 'Langars' (community kitchen) offer free food to the poor and the rich alike.The
day after Holi, called Hola, begins with the singing of the divine hymns in the
ambrosial hours of very early morning. With the dawning of the day the Nihangs
called the Guru's beloved force and a colourful sects of the Sikhs come centre-stage.
They still wear traditional robes and armour of blue and saffron colours and all
steel. They tie conical rising double turbans inter-laced with steel chakras (quoits)
and steel rosaries, a cutlass daughing at the waist and a sword. (sometimes also
a lance) clutched in the right hand. They take out a procession riding their stallions.
When they reach the bed of an old seasonal river Charan Ganga they perform feats
of martial valour such as riding, two horses with one foot on the back of each
and a weight balanced on their heads, fencing and enacting of mock battles. The
splendorous pageant strikes as a fascinating novelty.
|
| Baisaki
National Fair (April), Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda |
| It
is another unique Punjabi fair, which tempers gay abandon with deep devotion.
Dancing men and women, on the day of Baisakhi, emerge singing and dancing from
the surrounding villages carrying a portion of the first harvest of wheat. Everyone
is seen to be proceeding to the historical gurudwara to make an offering of it.
Calm descends every where when they approach the Gurudwara and make their obeisance
offerings. Devotees from far off places run free kitchens here. The next day is
taken over by the Nihangs and their awe-inspiring feats of the martial arts.
|
| RAM
TIRATH AMRITSAR , National Fair 4 days starting on night of the full-moon in November.
|
| The
Chhapaar Mela Village Chhapaar (Ludhiana) It is celebrated every September
to propitiate, Guga or Goga-the Zahir Pir. He is described as the Lord of the
snakes. Snake poison is neutralised by his grace and barren women are blessed
with off springs. Thousands of devotees take Guga Pir in a procession, common
participation of the people of different sects in this fair works it out as a
unifying force.
|
|
Fatehgarh Sahib:
|
| Gurudwara Fatehgarh
Sahib Jor Mela.(December) |
|
Rauza Sharif, Sirhind, Fatehgarh
Sahib |
| Urs
in August |
| Harballabh
Sangeet Sammelan, Devi Talab, Jalandhar |
|
National Fair, every December.
Started by Baba Harballabh in the memory of his Guru Swami Tulja Giri in 1875.
It is the only music fair of its type in India and even, abroad. The best of the
country's exponents of instrumental and vocal music deem their careers incomplete
unless they come and perform here. Also, great people from all walks of life look
forward to attending this gathering. In 1929, Mahatma Gandhi had attended this
fair. |
| Rural
Sports, National Fair (February), Kila Raipur, 6Km from Ludhiana |
| This meet
or the fair epitomises the special Punjabi bon homie and the spirit that never
says die, ingenious for finding competition and pleasure from ordinary things
of life. Bullock carts and other animal races, awe inspiring feats of strength
and danger, the traditional wrestling, cock-fighting, kabbadi and jumps and races,
the meet is wound up with the electrifying dances of the Punjab, the Gidha and
the Bhangra. |
| Martyrs
- Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev & Rajguru Fair |
|
The Fair to honour their memory
is held on March 23rd every year at the site of the memorial in Ferozepur. Large
gathering of people, here, is then addressed by freedom fighters and the leaders
of Punjab and India who highlight the sacrifices these patriots have made to free
India from the yoke of the British. |
|
Prof. Mohan Singh Mela,
Ludhiana |
| It
is a unique fair of cultural confluence of Punjabi artists, writers and folk performers-
kind of a feast which may , again, be called typically Punjabi. Alongside this
cultural extravaganza noted writers and artists are honoured for their contribution
to the promotion of Punjabi literature, language and culture. |