Nanda Devi Festival:
The best known fair of this region, held in the month of September at Almora town, is organized since the Chand kings ruled this place. It is believed that ‘Nanda’ used to be the family Goddess of Chanda dynasty. The word meaning of the word ‘Nanda’ is prosperity. The temple of ‘Nanda’ in Almora was built by Dyot Chanda in seventeenth century, the then ruler of this place. Presently this temple remains the core of the festival. The duration of the festival is five days and approximately twenty five thousand people tourist come to attend this festival.
Nanda and Sunanda
Jageshwar Shrawan Mela:
Jageshwer Monsoon Festival is organized from 15 July to 15 August. lying in the beautiful Jataganaga 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 north of Shrawan (July-Aug). A dip in the Jat Ganga and in the Brahmakund near the temple complex is of great religious significance on the occasion
Dushara Festival Almora:
The famous festival of Hindus, Dushara, in October, commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the monstrous ten-headed king of Lanka or Ceylon, as described in Ramayana, is celebrated in a very unique way in Almora town. Approximately five to six thousand tourists from the outskirts come to attend the festival in Almora town. Showing the symbolic victory of the truth the effigies of devils are prepared in a very artistic manner in almost all the ‘Mohallas’ (wards) of the town. Finally in a social gathering all these effigies are burnt. The festival is generally celebrated in the month of October.
Doonagiri Mela:
52 km away from Ranikhet, Doonagiri is a pilgrim spot noted for its ancient Durga temple. This temple attracts a great number of pilgrims during the fari days at Navratri.
Dwarahat Mela:
Situated in the wide valley of Ram Ganga (West), Dwarahat is 38 Km from Ranikhet and has a cluster of old temples. A huge fair is organized every year on Baisakhi Day.
Gananath Mela:
Situated at an elevation of 2116 m above sea level, Gananath is 47 Km form Almora and is know for its natural landscape. A fair is held here every year on Kartik Purnima (Oct/Nov.), when thousands of pilgrims come to worship Lord Shiva and Ganesh. Childless couples also come here in large numbers to evoke blessings for the gift of a child.
Somnath Fair:
This fair on Vishuwat Sankranti day is held in the Shiva temple at Masi, Almora. It is famous fair of Pali Pachhaun. Brisk business is done during the fair and animals, specially bullocks and calves are sold. The villagers bearing tumra come with jaal, fatyav and hathiya to the river to catch fish. The fish festival is locally known as ‘Dahau’.
