Complete details of 19 most famous festivals and fairs in Bihar
India is home to many different cultures, faiths and religions. Bihar's rich history and culture includes many festivals and fairs that celebrate its beauty and culture. Every state in India has its own culture and the festivals of Bihar reflect that. Festivals of Bihar include Holi, Durga Puja and other festivals, the most important being Chhat Puja.
Most famous festivals and fairs of Bihar
Festivals bring people together and reflect diversity. Bihar's festivals are a celebration of the spirit and vitality of the state. This state, a cultural bond, celebrates its festivals with feasts and fasts.
1. Chhath Puja:
Bihar is the first state that comes to your mind when you hear Chauth Puja. It is one of the most popular festivals in the state. It is held six days after Diwali and is dedicated to the Sun God. A person who observes Parvati, Chhath (also known as Parvati), fasts from dawn to dusk during the festival and then concludes by eating sweets. The fast lasts four days and ends with a puja at the river before sunrise. Witness true devotion as thousands of devotees gather at the river.
Main attraction: Women taking holy bath in the river, fasting and offering arghya are some of the main attractions of this festival.
When: November.
Where: All over Bihar
Festival Duration: Four days
2. Sama Chakeva:
Sama-Chakewa celebrates the migration of birds between the Himalayas and the plains in winter. Colorful birds migrate to the country of Mithila, symbolizing the bond of brother and sister. During this festival, chakewa and sama birds are welcomed. The festivities begin with children decorating bird statues. After a video by Sama, the festivities end with a wish for these birds to return next year.
Main attraction: People sing traditional melodious songs and perform some ceremonies. Finally, the young women take a dip in the river to immerse the single-chakra idols.
When: November
Where: Mithila Region.
Festival Duration: 9 days
3. Shravani Mela:
Shravani Mela, as the name suggests, is a ritual celebrated in the month of Shravan. The procession connects the towns of Deoghar and Sutanganj and runs along a route of 108 km. This ritual is called Kanwariyas by devotees. They first dress in saffron and collect water from the holy ghats of Sultanganj. After walking barefoot for 108 km, devotees bathe in the sacred Shivalinga. This festival attracts people from all parts of the country.
Main attraction: Devotees from all over the country flock to celebrate this auspicious festival.
When: July-August.
Where: Baba Baidyanath Temple.
Duration of Festival: One month
4. Sonepur Cattle Market:
The cattle fair of Sonepur in Bihar is based on mythology and folklore. It is held in Sonepur, Bihar and is the largest Asian cattle fair. Domestic livestock such as elephants, camels and sheep from all over the country are sold at this fair. This cattle festival is held on the first Purnima after Diwali. This fair attracts many tourists from all over the world. It also features magic shows, folk dances and stalls selling handicrafts.
Main attraction: Sale of domestic livestock like elephants, camels, sheep and birds. It also has stalls selling handloom and handicrafts.
When: November and December
Where: Sonepur.
Duration of Festival: Fortnight
5. Makar Sankranti Mela:
Makar Sankranti Mela celebrations are celebrated with great enthusiasm in Rajgir, Bihar in January. After offering flowers to the deities, devotees bathe in the holy water. Makara Sankranti also known as Sakrat or Khichdi in local language is also known as Khichdi or Khichdi. This meal is celebrated with seasonal delights like maska, tittle and maska. Also small kite flying competitions are organized across the state.
Main attraction: People bathe in holy water. Kite flying is also a major attraction in this mela.
When: January.
Where: Rajgir, Mandar hills.
Festival Duration: 2 days
6. Jitiya Festival/ Life of the Daughter:
Jiraya, or Daughter of Life, is a three-day Hindu festival celebrated on the seventh to ninth lunar days of the Ashwini month of Krishna-paksha. The festival is celebrated by mothers who fast without water for the health and well-being of their children in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and UP. These regions are mainly home to Bhojpuri and Magadhi languages. Nahai-khai is the first day of the three-day festival. Here mothers eat food prepared with pink salt and ghee. Qur-jitiya is the second day when mothers fast without water. On the third day of Parana, Amma fasts with various delicacies.
Main attraction: Women can sing different songs during fasting.
When: September-October.
Where: Statewide
Festival Duration: Three days
7. Pitrupaksha Mela:
In September, Pitrupaksha Mela is held in Gaya. During this fair, people from all walks of life in the country perform Shraddha rituals to honor their ancestors. Gays are descendants of Magga Brahmins and perform the Shraddha ceremony.
It is believed to bring salvation to the departed soul and is an integral part of Hindu culture, and the Buddha is believed to have made the first Pindan in Gaya.
Main attraction: Shraddha rituals to honor one's ancestors
When: September.
Where: Gaya.
Duration of festival: 15 days
8. Rajgir Mahotsav :
Rajgir, the capital of the Magadhan Empire in Bihar, has a long association with Buddha and Mahavira. It is sacred to Jains as well as Buddhists. It was once known as Rajgir Nritya Mahotsav. This three-day festival celebrates various forms of music and dance such as folk, opera, devotional and ballet. It is organized every year by Bihar Tourism Department and Nalanda District Administration. This Mahotsav organizes various competitions that attract tourists and locals from all over the world.
Main attraction: Tonga race and martial race competitions. Mehndi competitions. Food Plaza, Gramshri Mela, Mahila Utsav. Tourists and locals.
When: October.
Where: Rajgir.
Festival Duration: Three days
9. Bihula:
Bihula festival is celebrated in Bhagalpur district of Bihar. This festival is associated with many legends and is very popular in East Bihar. This festival is held every August to pray to Goddess Manasa for the protection of their families. Manjusha, one of the most beautiful forms of folk art in the state, is celebrated in this festival.
Main attraction: Magnificent art of Manjusha.
When: August.
Where: Bhagalpur in East Bihar
Festival Duration: 1 Day
10. Buddha Jayanti:
According to Puranas, Buddha Jayanti marks the day Buddha was born and attained enlightenment. It also happens on Baisakh Poornima (full moon day usually in May). The day is known as Buddha Jayanti and is mainly celebrated in Bodh Gaya and Rajgir. Representatives of various Buddhist monasteries pray under the Bodhi tree, making it a special day because it is even more special.
Main attraction: Prayers under the Bodhi tree are offered by representatives of various monasteries.
When: May.
Where: Bodha Gaya and Rajgir
Festival Duration: 1 Day
11. Jur Sital :
Jur Sital marks the celebration of the first day of the Maithili New Year. It is celebrated by Maithili people in the Mithila region of India. The celebration sees the people of Mithila running a chulha, or stove, resting and eating the food they prepared the day before. Household heads also store water in earthen pots and pour it on their heads the next day. Residents of the area enjoy flying kites and braving the heat by playing Holi using mud from water sources.
Main attraction: People of Mithila region play Holi with mud from water bodies to beat the heat.
When: April.
Where: Mithila Region.
Festival Duration: 1 Day
12. Malmas Mela:
One of the most important festivals in India, the Mamas Mela is held in Rajgir. It attracts tourists and locals from all over India. Malmas festival is also known as Adamas. As many as 33 crore deities of Hindu culture are believed to reside in Rajgir. Devotees offer prayers and offerings throughout the month to recognize the religious significance of the time. Devotees from all walks of life can wash away their sins in the hot spring and pay their respects during the Mama Mela.
Main attraction: Theatres, self help groups and shops.
When: Adamas.
Where: Rajgir.
Duration of Festival: One month
13. Chowchan Festival:
Chaurachandra or Chautchandra refers to the moon worship festival in Mithila. For centuries, the culture of Mithila has encouraged the conservation of nature. Many Mithila festivals have something to do with nature, whether it's worshiping the moon in the chowrchan or the act of worshiping the sun in the chhat. It is also known as Chautchandra in many parts of the country. Chowrachan festival in Mithila is celebrated on Ganesh Chaturthi. Women often fast during the day and then worship the moon with Ganesha at night.
Main attraction: People of Mithila decorate their houses beautifully to celebrate this festival.
When: August.
Where: Mithila.
Festival Duration: 1 Day
14. Chilli Festival :
Karam festival is held in August and September or on the 11th day of Hindu month Bhadra Poornami. Young villagers offer fruits, flowers, wood and other offerings to Karam, the god of agriculture. The festival is celebrated by several tribal communities including the Oran and Binjwari of Bihar as well as the Munda, Mazwars, Ho, Koria and Korba.
Main attraction: Throughout the night, women dance to folk songs.
When: August-September.
Where: Tribal areas of Bihar.
Festival Duration: 1 Day
15. Saraswati Puja:
Saraswati Puja is celebrated on Basan Panchami in Hindu month. These pujas are being performed in schools and colleges across the state. It also attracts devotees who worship the Hindu goddess Saraswati. It is believed that Saraswati bestows her grace on the devotees, bestowing them knowledge and wisdom.
Main attraction: Goddess Saraswati's attire is decorated with yellow flowers. Many people teach their children to read.
When: February.
Where: Statewide
Festival Duration: 1 Day
16. Hartalika Teej:One of the most famous festivals of Bihar, Hartalika Teej is celebrated on the third tithi of Bhadrapada month. Unmarried women fast for the health of their husbands, while married women fast for the longevity of their husbands. After hearing the story the women fast and do not drink water. The women make an idol of Gauri Shankara out of clay, enshrine it and give suhasana to the idol. They break their fast the next morning. People perform aarti three more times at night and do bhajan-kirtan while awake.
Main attraction: Women make Gauri Shankar idol out of clay. In the evening bhajan-kirtan is performed by many people.
When: August.
Where: Statewide
Festival Duration: 1 Day
17. Vaisali Festival:Vaisali festival, a festival in Bihar, celebrates the auspicious birthday of the 24th Tirthankara, a Jain guru. It is celebrated every March 22. These festivals break the routines of daily life and promote brotherhood in society. They bring out the cultural heritage of Bihar.
18. Madhusravani:Madhusravani, a festival celebrated in Bihar's Mithilanchal regions, is full of pomp and circumstance. It is usually celebrated in August, in the month of Sawan, according to the Hindu calendar. It promotes fraternity, and nativity, and tries to incorporate them into everyday life.
19. Rama Navami:Rama Navami, an important Hindu festival, is celebrated with great pomp in Bihar. This festival celebrates the auspicious birth date of Rama, the protagonist of Ramayana. People mark it by fasting, decorating temples and offering prayers in his honour. People pray for the welfare of society.
Bihar celebrates many festivals apart from those listed here. Bihar's festivals and fairs are a wonderful way to integrate our traditions and customs into our daily lives. This article will help you plan a memorable trip to this beautiful region. Share this article with your friends and let us know you found it useful.
F A Q:
1. What is the best time of the year to visit Bihar?Ans: Summer season is from March to June and Bihar is very hot during these months. If you are planning to visit Bihar, October-March is the best time before or after monsoon.
2. What are some famous Bihar foods?A: Enjoy these dishes when you visit Bihar.
Traditional Bihari dishes like Kahi Bari and Ghugni are also available.
Appetizers like chat, kachri, pucha.
Snacks like samosa-chutney and kachori or dal piti.
Sweets like malpua, rabri and khaja.
3. What is special about the state?Ans: Bihar is the birthplace of the concept of non-violence in human history. It is home to Jainism and Buddhism which are the foundations of non-violence about 2600 years ago.
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