Various fairs and festivals are traditional means of amusement and recreation for the people. It is rather a cultural heritage of the people. Various types of fairs and festivals are celebrated almost around the year are given below:
Lohri (Makar Sakranti):
- It falls on 13th and 14th January. This is observed by igniting fires, distributing “reories, gachak and ground nuts” etc.
- On this day, people mostly take “Khichri” with pure ghee. Among Hindus, take holy dip in the sacred rivers.
Basant Panchami:
- It is a festival of colours.
- People usually put on yellow clothes, cook yellow rice and other sweet preparations.
- This festival bids farewell to winter and welcomes the spring.
Shivratri:
- The festival is generally observed by Hindus in every household.
- Lord Shiva is worshipped in various temples by offering water mixed milk on the Shivlingas.
Holi:
- Holi is festival of colours. It usually falls in March.
- Men, women and children form small groups and throw coloured water on one another.
- They sing and dance. People also use abir and gulal.
- They rub on the foreheads of the people. This festival is observed by igniting fires.
Baisakhi:
- It falls on the 13th April. It is celebrated all over the district by all classes of people.
- They put on new clothes and prepare halwa and lassi. A fair is held at many places.
- Women buy bangles and children prefer to buy toys etc.
Janam Ashtmi:
- Janam Ashtmi the birthday of Lord Krishna is celebrated in the month of August/September every year.
- People worship in the temples and religious songs are sung.
Dussehra:
- Dussehra is one of the great festivals of Hindus.
- They celebrate it with gaiety in honour of Shri Ram’s victory over Ravan, the demon king of Lanka.
- Dussehra is celebrated in form of a drama called Ramlila for ten days.
- On the 10th day i.e. Vijay Dashmi, huge effigies of Ravan, Kumbh Karna, and Meghnath are stalled on the ground and set on fire after sunset.
- It shows the victory of goodness over evil.
Diwali:
- Diwali is a festival of lights, is celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Sri Ram to
Ayodhya after victory over Ravan. - This festival is held in the month of October/November. Diwali is celebrated with great pomp and show.
- People whitewash their houses and shops.
- On the night of Diwali, houses and shops are illuminated with electric bulbs, candles, and lamps.
- Shopkeepers close their old accounts. They open new ones for the New Year.
- It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits their houses on this day.
- Children burn fireworks on this festival. People gift sweets and convey best wishes to neighbours, relatives, and friends.