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Ramnagar Ramlila
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Ramnagar, 15 km. from Varanasi presents the Ramlila started by the erstwhile Maharaja of Kashi in the most traditional style. The performances lasting for31 days are marked by detailed dialogues and impressive enactments. Hundreds of sadhus called Ramayanis come to Ramnagar to watch and recite the epic. Permanent structures are built and spaces designated to represent the main locales of the story i.e. Ashok Vatika, Janakpuri, Panchvati, Lanka etc. transforming the whole township into a vast Ramlila ground. The audience move along with the performers with every episode to Hie next locale. To maintain the austere character of the Ramlila, electric lights, mikes and loudspeakers are not used, though the average audience is rarely less than ten thousand.
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Allahabad Dussehra |
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Allahabad Dussehra is marked with the unique procession of beautifully decorated "chowkis" accompanied by Ramdals every evening, that are taken out from different Localities, from four days preceding Dussehra.
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Ayodhya |
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The place is popular for mandali Ramlilas. The performance is dialogue - based and presented on a platform stage. High standard of performance is complemented by songs and kathak dances and eye- catching decor. |
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Kumaoni Ramlila, Almora |
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The festival of Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and show all over Kumaon. Various Ramlilas are enacted depicting the story of Lord Rama's victory over the demon King Ravana. The Almora Dussehra procession is unique with huge effigies of gods, heroes and demons paraded through the streets.
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Uttarayani Mela
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This fair is held at a number of places including Bageshwar, Rameshwar, Sult Mahadev, Chitrasila (Ranibagh), Hanseshwar etc. on Uttarayani Day. At Pancheshwar the dola of Chaumu comes down to the temple. Merchants from far off distances like Tibet and Nepal come to the fair for brisk trading. Among the things bought and sold are blankets, durries, cane and bamboo articles.
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Shravan Mela, Jageshwar, Almora
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Jageshwar lying in the beautiful Jatganga valley, housing one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India, is a complex of 12 temples in all. Two large fairs are held at Jageshwar, one at the occasion of Shivratri and the other in the month of Shravan (July-Aug). A dip in the Jat ganga and in the Brahmakund near the temple complex, is of great religious significance at the occasion.
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Doonagiri Mela, Almora
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Situated at an elevation of 2116 mts. Above sea level, Gananath is 47 kms. From Almora and is known for its natural landscape. A fair is held here every year on Kartik Poornima (Oct./Nov.) when thousands of pilgrims come to worship Lord Shiva and Ganesh. Childless couples also come here in large numbers of evoke blessings for the gift of a child.
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Roopkund
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Roopkund is the venue for a pilgrimage known as Nanda Raj Jaat of Jatra. It is held every twelve years. This auspicious yatra takes place when a four horned sheep is born. This sheep leads the yatra from Nauti village near karna prayag and ends at Homkund beyond Roopkund, where the sheep disappears in wilderness. This is said to be the spot where Shiva married Nanda.
Roopkund situated in the interior of the Chamile district is a mysterious lake. However, it is one of the most popular treks in the Garhwal division as it abounds in spectacular mountain scenery.
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Jauljibi & Thal Fairs
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Held every year on Makar Sankranti at Jauljibi, 68 kms. From Pithoragarh, the confluence of the rivers and Kali & Gori. People come even from Nepal to this fair to sell horses, ghee, foreign goods and take back foodgrains, jaggery etc. A similar fair is held at Thal on Vaishakh Sankranti (14th April).
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Syalde Bikhauti
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Celebrated on the Vishuwat Sankranti day commemorating an ancient victory. The festival is held at Syalde Pokhar in the old town of Dwarahat. The occasion is marked by enchanting music, song and dance.
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Devidhura Fair
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Held on the day of Raksha Bandhan at the Varahi Devi Temple, Devidhura is situated at the trijunction of Almora, Pithoragarh and Nainital districts. A unique feature of the fair is the image of the goddess, kept in a locked brass casket. This casket is taken in procession to a nearby mountain spring where a blindfolded priest ritually bathes the image and places it in the casket. The whole night the goddess is worshipped and the next morning the exciting "Bagwaal" fair is celebrated. Two groups of men duly purified, fight a "battle" in front of the temple flinging stones at each other. While thousands gather to watch.
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