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Haryana is a state in northern India, known for its culture encapsulated in practices and traditions. Most of the festivals in Haryana are specific to the region and have their specific characteristics. These celebrations have a great relevance to the farming traditions and the culture of the people. Each festival is therefore an energetic combination of music, dance, rituals and feasting. This reinforces the communities from paying tribute to resident gods to the seasonal processes of gathering crops. These festivals in Haryana bring forth the aspects of culture that make Haryana so interesting and worth visiting.
10 Best Festivals In Haryana
Here is a hand-picked list of the festivals in Haryana that one should surely attend on a trip to this state for a cultural delight:
1. Gugga Naumi
Photo: Jorge Láscar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Gugga Naumi is an intriguing festival, primarily celebrated in the state of Haryana. This is in honour of Gugga Pir, a local legend with assumed superpower abilities. It is celebrated in August or September. The festival is of great religious importance to the native people. The devotees attend the shrines of Gugga Pir and perform certain folk songs and other rituals. Snake God processions are taken out in different villages potentially with accompanying music and dancing. Devotees carry flags and distribute sweets, fruits and flowers. Such a colourful fest displays the folklore of Haryana and faith in the regional gods.
Date: Celebrated on the ninth day of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada (August/September)
Timing: Begins early morning and continues all day
Venue: Key celebrations at Gugga Marhi shrines, especially in the Hisar district
2. Bhadra Purnima Mela
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The Bhadra Purnima Mela is a festival celebrated every year in Haryana. This colourful fair not only draws the locals but also the tourists who relish the cultural richness of the region. The tourists can indulge themselves in various activities like enjoying local folk music, dance and drama as well as buying arts and crafts. There are games and competitions for children and activities engaging in religious worship by participating in prayers and rituals to the gods. Additionally, the Fair of Bhadra Purnima is a great event that upholds culture in the modern world as well as helps support local craftspeople in households.
Date: Full moon day in the month of Bhadra which falls around August or September
Timing: All day, typically starting in the morning and concluding in the evening
Venue: Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Sonepat, Haryana
3. Phooldai
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Phooldai which is also called “phoolon ki holi” is a unique festival of Haryana which celebrates the spring season. Unlike the conventional Holi where coloured powders are thrown on each other, this festival is celebrated with throwing flowers. It is performed in March usually when all devotees gather and have fun together with singing and dancing. In the rituals, the statue of the god is also decorated with flowers and prayers are offered asking for a good harvest. This is followed by the people coming together and sharing food such as sweets and snacks, promoting happiness. Phooldai helps in appreciating the abundance of nature and the richness of culture.
Date: Usually celebrated in March
Timing: Celebrations start in the morning
Venue: rural areas and villages, notable places include Sonepat and Rohtak
4. Pinjore Heritage Festival
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The Pinjore Heritage Festival is a yearly event that takes place in Pinjore. Generally held in October, the festival is noted for its exhibit of traditional crafts, art and folk performances. There are food stalls that offer local dishes, activities such as classes take place, as well as organised tours through the impeccably cared for Pinjore Gardens. Cultural programs, dance shows, and displays by the local craftsmen are also part of the festival. This event creates a bonding atmosphere and works for the protection and enhancement of the artistic traditions of Haryana.
Date: October (specific dates may vary; check local announcements)
Timing: Generally held throughout the day
Venue: Pinjore Gardens, Pinjore, Haryana
5. Kartik Mela
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The annual Kartik Cultural Festival or Kartik Mela is a colourful and extravagant festival held in the state of Haryana in November. This festival boasts numerous artistic displays that appreciate the region’s culture including folk dances, music and drama. Different kinds of handmade crafts including the food to be consumed during the festival are presented by local craftsmen in support of the customs and making the local cuisine available. The festival is family-friendly and boasts many workshops and activities suitable for all age groups. Contributing to community bonding and celebrating the culture of Haryana, the importance of Kartik Cultural Festival in safeguarding the practices of the local people and tourism is immense.
Date: November (specific dates may vary; check local announcements)
Timing: Usually celebrated throughout the day
Venue: Various locations across Haryana, often in community centres or cultural grounds
6. Gangore Festival
Photo: TAPAS KUMAR HALDER / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Gangore Festival is one of the most colourful festivals celebrated in Haryana. It is inspired by Goddess Parvati’s reunion with Lord Shiva. The festival falls in March – April which signals the arrival of spring and the dry – crop harvest season. The women wear bright clothes, fill pots (Kalash), walk in the procession carrying the pots above their heads and sing folk songs. The Gangore Festival is an indication of cultural deep-rooted views in the state of Haryana. Additionally, It signifies abundance, love in marriage, devotion and respect in society.
Date: March-April (specific date varies based on the Hindu calendar)
Timing: Celebrations continue for several days, especially in the evenings
Venue: Various towns and villages in Haryana, often in temples and community spaces
7. Mango Festival
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Mango Festival is an annual event held in the state of Haryana, focusing on the diversity and bountiful nature of mangoes. Typically, this festival is organised in July. A vast number of mango lovers or agriculturists as well as tourists come to this festival to taste and appreciate different cultivars of mangoes. Such events include mango shows, mango recipe contests, and games such as eating–packed mangoes as fast as one can. Folk performances, dances, and music make the cheerful atmosphere even more enjoyable, attracting the whole family to the fest. Mango Festival is also an event that encourages the production of mangoes cultivating varieties of mangoes.
Date: July (dates may vary yearly)
Timing: Typically an all-day event
Venue: Leisure Valley, Sector 29, Gurugram, Haryana
8. Surkha Kund Mela
Photo: Pranayraj (Wikimedian in Residence) / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Surkha Kund Mela is a lively cultural festival held in the state of Haryana, which beckons artisans, craftsmen, and performers from all parts of the country. This festival occurs in February, at the Surajkund complex located near Faridabad. It is dedicated to traditional arts and crafts including, handicrafts, handlooms and clay works. It is attended by stalls displaying a range of artefacts and foods from different regions as well as crafts and handmade items for sale to the guests. Every year, a new theme is added focusing on a specific state and its rich traditions and art. One of the topmost activities is the Surajkund Mela, which is the biggest crafts fair in Asia and attracts tourists on a massive scale.
Date: February (usually from February 1st to 15th)
Timing: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM daily
Venue: Surajkund Grounds, Faridabad, Haryana
9. Dharni Mahotsav
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Dharni Mahotsav is an exceptional festival which focuses on the agricultural history and rural customs of Haryana. Every January, this Mahotsav is celebrated to pay tribute to all the devoted hard working farmers of the state who are the backbone of the economy. The program includes traditional folk dance displays, musical concerts, agriculture exhibitions and training for the modern farming practices. Visitors can also find stalls selling fresh organic products, handmade artefacts as well as traditional rural food. The Mahotsav encourages the farmers to learn and interact during the fair as well as appreciate their works towards the society.
Date: January
Timing: All-day celebrations
Venue: Various rural areas across Haryana, with notable events in Hisar and other agricultural hubs
10. Teej Festival
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The Teej Festival is a unique and colourful festival for women commemorating the marriage of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. The festival celebrates the arrival of monsoon in July-August where women pray for happiness in marriage, fertility, and devotion. Women wear green clothes, henna is applied to their hands, and jewellery is worn. Swings are decorated with flowers and singing and dancing along to folk songs is common. Specific dishes such as ghewar are made and women worship for their spouses’ health and safety.
Whether you are a history lover, nature enthusiast, a food critic or a tourist looking for a calm holiday, festivals in Haryana have something for everyone. Plan your visit to Haryana today and visit this fabulous state. Book your trip with TripXL for a memorable experience
Cover Photo: Pushpendra Payal / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
