Mela List in India: Traditional Indian fairs and festivals are mirrors of diverse Indian culture. Millions of visitors attend these fairs each year. They offer a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich shades, flavors, and melodies of India. It is surprising to know that some of the famous fairs are continuing for more than a month. Some of the traditional fairs are of spiritual or cultural or religious importance. While some of them are for trade purposes. We are here to know about the significance of Traditional fairs in India. We will also get the list of Famous Fair (Mela) their location and duration.
Significance of Traditional Indian Fair
The Indian culture is deeply influenced by its traditional fairs. Each fair and festival are a unique celebration of regional traditions, customs, and beliefs. A variety of events like dancing, music, eating, and religious rites are seen at these fairs. These fairs provide a window into India’s rich cultural history.
Traditional Indian Fairs (Mela) have profound spiritual religious and cultural significance and are celebrated all over India. These fairs are crucial in fostering cultural cohesion and solidarity among Indians from various communities and areas. We can frequently see people performing age-old rituals and traditions at these fairs.
List of Traditional Indian Fairs (Mela)
| State | Fairs/Mela Name | District | Month | Duration |
| Assam | Raasmela | Dhubri | Nov | 30 Days |
| Netaji Mela | Karimganj | Jan | 15 Days | |
| Rashmahotsav | Nalbari | Nov | 11 Days | |
| Andhra Pradesh | Brahamotsavam | Chittoor | Sep/Oct | 10 Days |
| Netaji Mela | Karimganj | Jan | 15 Days | |
| Bihar | Sonepur Mela | Patna | Nov | 30 Days |
| Sorath Mela | Madhubani | June | 15 Days | |
| Vaisakh Purnima | Gaya | April/May | 15 Days | |
| Shivratri Mela | Hazaribagh | Feb | 15 Days | |
| Gujarat | Rajim Mela | Raipur | Feb | 30 Days |
| Navratri Fair | Bansakantha | Sep | 10 Days | |
| Dussehra Mela | Bastar | Oct | 7 Days | |
| Gokulasthami Fair | Surat | Aug | 7 Days | |
| Somnath Fair | Junagarh | Nov | 6 Days | |
| Lilipari Krama Fair | Junagarh | Nov | 5 Days | |
| Shamlaji Fair | Sabarkantha | Nov | 5 Days | |
| Vautha Fair | Ahmedabad | Nov | 2 Days | |
| Haryana | Pihowa Mela | Kurukshetra | Mar | 30 Days |
| Pathri Mata Ka Mela | Panipat | Mar/July | 30 Days | |
| Gangor Mela | Sirsa | April | 3 Days | |
| Kapalmochan Mela | Yamunanagar | Nov | 5 Days | |
| Surajkund Mela | Faridabad | Feb | 15 Days | |
| Kisan Mela | Karnal | Sep | 9 Days | |
| Dehati Mela | Kaithal | Oct | 7 Days | |
| Himachal Pradesh | Minjar Fair | Chamba | July | 9 Days |
| Dussehra | Kullu | Oct | 10 Days | |
| Lavi Fair | Rampur | Nov | 4 Days | |
| Renuka_fair | Sirmur | Nov | 3 Days | |
| J&K | Jhiri Mela | Jhiri | Nov | |
| Jharkhand | Kolhaiya Mela | Nov | ||
| Kundri Mela | Nov | |||
| Karnataka | Dassara | Mysore | Oct | 10 Days |
| Dasara Fair | Mysore | Sep | 28 Days | |
| Sangameswara Jatra | Chitradurga | Mar | 7 Days | |
| Mahadeshwara Mela | Mysore | Nov | 5 Days | |
| Havanoor Mela | Dharwad | Jan | 3 Days | |
| Hampi Festival | Nov | 3 Days | ||
| Kerala | Pooram Festival | Trichur | April | 21 Days |
| Onam | Trivandrum | Aug | 10 Days | |
| Koratty Muthy | Koratty | Oct | NA | |
| Makara Vilakku | Malappuram | Mar | NA | |
| Chirappu | Kottayyam | Nov/Dec | NA | |
| Feast of St Sebastain | Ernakulam | Jan | NA | |
| Shivratri | Ernakulam | Feb/Mar | NA | |
| Omallor Fair | Ernakulam | Mar | NA | |
| Magara Jyoti | Idukki | Jan | 10 Days | |
| Sri Sundareswar | Kannur | April | NA | |
| Utsavam | Malappuram | Mar | NA | |
| Kerala Village Fair | Kovalam & Ernakulam | Jan | 10 days | |
| Madhya Pradesh | Ujjain Kumbh Mela | Ujjain | Once In 12 Yrs | NA |
| Kartik Mela | Ujjain | Nov | 30 Days | |
| Gwalior Trade Fair | Gwalior | Jan | 30 Days | |
| Kadam Mela | Tikamgarh | Nov | 15 Days | |
| Nimar Utsav | Nov | 3 Days | ||
| Maharashtra | Nashik Kumbh Mela | Nashik | Once In 12 Yrs | NA |
| Sharda Utsav | Nagpur | Oct/Nov | 10 Days | |
| Ganesh Festival | Sangli | Aug/Sep | NA | |
| Orissa | Dhanu Jatra | Bargarh | Jan | 11 Days |
| Rath Yatra | Puri | July | 10 Days | |
| Joranda Mela | Dhenkanal | Feb | 7 Days | |
| Bali Yatra | Cuttack | Oct | 5 Days | |
| Chatar Yatra | Kalahandi | Oct | 2 Days | |
| Punjab | Rural Olympics | Ludhiana | Jan/Feb | 7 Days |
| Hollah Mohllah | Ropar | Mar | 5 Days | |
| Baisakhi | Bhatinda | April | 5 Days | |
| Ramteerth Mela | Amritsar | Nov | 5 Days | |
| Sahidi Jod Mela | Patiala | Jan/Feb | 4 Days | |
| Mag Mela | Faridkot | Jan | 3 Days | |
| Sodal Mela | Jalandhar | Sep | 2 Days | |
| Rajasthan | Ranisati Mela | Jhunjhunu | Aug | 20 Days |
| Kaila Devi | Sawai Madhopur | Mar | 15 Days | |
| Urs | Ajmer | Oct | 10 Days | |
| Pushkar Fair | Ajmer | Nov | 10 Days | |
| Ramdevra | Jaisalmer | Oct | 10 Days | |
| Dussehra Mela | Kota | Oct | 10 Days | |
| Nagaur Fair (Ramdeoji Cattle Fair) | Nagaur | Jan | 8 Days | |
| Mahavir Mela | Sawai Madhopur | Nov | 7 Days | |
| Beneshwar Fair | Dungerpur | Jan | 5 Days | |
| Chanderbhaga Fair | Jhalawar | Nov | 5 Days | |
| Kaila Devi Fair | Sawai Madhopur | Mar | 3 Days | |
| Khetlaji Fair | Bundi | Aug | 3 Days | |
| Khatu Shyam ji | Sikar | Feb | 3 Days | |
| Marwar Festival | Jodhpur | Oct | 2 Days | |
| Tamil Nadu | Peria Kirthigal | Trupparankundram | Oct/Nov | NA |
| Panimaya Matha Festival | Tuticorin | Aug | 10 Days | |
| Eallazhagar | Bannaral | April/May | NA | |
| Kundam | Chikkaram- sampalayam | Mar/April | NA | |
| Uttar Pradesh | Kumbh Mela | Haridwar | Jan/April | 3 Months 14 Days |
| Kumbh Mela | Allahabad | Jan/March | 60 Days | |
| Nauchandi Mela | Meerut | Mar/April | 30 Days | |
| Nauchandi Mela | Aligarh | Jan | 30 Days | |
| Nauchandi Mela | Muzaffarnagar | April | 30 Days | |
| Kailash Mela | Agra | Aug | 30 Days | |
| Bateshwar Fair | Agra | Oct | 21 Days | |
| Cattle Fair | Balia | Nov | 15 Days | |
| Ramlila Mela | Varanasi | Oct/Nov | 10 Days | |
| Barabanki Mela | Barabanki | Feb/Oct | 10 Days | |
| Mahautsav | Lucknow | Nov | 10 Days | |
| Sharvan Jhoola | Faizabad | July/Aug | 7 Days | |
| Chitrakoot Ramlila | Chitrakoot | March | 7 Days | |
| Makar Sankranti | Allahabad | Jan/Feb | 7 Days | |
| Shivaratri Mela | Kalahasti | Feb | 4 Days | |
| Ramnavami Mela | Ayodhya | April | 4 Days |
Traditional Indian fairs are a crucial component of the nation’s rich cultural heritage and give visitors a unique glimpse into the diverse Indian customs and traditions. These fairs are highly anticipated and enjoyed with great passion and excitement since they are not just about fun and festivities but also have significant spiritual and cultural importance. The incredible Kumbh Mela, Dussehra, the Pushkar Camel Fair, and other fairs provide an opportunity to experience India in all its authentic glory. Visitors can not only immerse themselves in India’s rich culture by attending these fairs, but they can also learn more about and develop a deeper understanding of the many different traditions and practices performed there. These fairs and festivals make India more beautiful.
