Located in the Doon Valley, Dehradun has a lively festival scene and a city steeped in cultural legacy. Offering a wide variety of festivals and fairs all year round to suit various seasons and events, this city hosts everything from the vibrant Holi celebrations to the lavish Dussehra celebrations. Hire a tempo traveller in Delhi and go explore the local culture with your friends and family, for Dehradun’s festivals are a feast for the senses, showcasing the region’s traditions and customs.
Top Festivals and Fairs of Dehradun
Dehradun has a busy festival calendar to commemorate its rich cultural legacy. There are a wide range of festivals and fairs held in the city all year long, from lively fairs exhibiting regional customs to exciting festivities honouring gods. If you’re taking a Delhi to Dehradun taxi for visiting the area, these top festivals and fairs are a must for anybody looking to immerse themselves in the city’s rich cultural tapestry.
Jhanda Fair
Celebrated the fifth day after Holi, the Jhanda Fair is one of Dehradun’s most colourful and spectacular celebrations. Gathering followers from all across Northern India, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, this yearly fair honours Guru Ram Rai Darbar. The flag-hoisting ritual, which immerses a 27-metre-long Sal tree from Dundhali forest in milk, curd, and holy Ganga water, is the fair’s high point.
Tapkeshwar Mela
Annually held during the auspicious Shivratri holiday, the Tapkeshwar Mela is a festivity steeped in Hindu mythology. Situated on the eastern side of the Tonnes River lies the Tapkeshwar Temple, a cave temple devoted to Lord Shiva. The Skanda Purana attributes the name Drona Gufa to this cave because, during the Dwapara Yuga, Guru Dronacharya and his family lived here. Thousands of people throng the temple during the Mela to offer prayers and ask the all-powerful Lord Shiva for his blessings.
Lakshman Siddha Fair
Lakshman Siddha Fair is unique among the four Sidhpeeth (spiritual achievement centres) in the Dehradun area. Every Sunday there is a little gathering, but the last Sunday in April sees a large number of devotees paying their respects at Lakshman Siddhas Samadhi, or ultimate resting place. It is said that Lord Laxman, the younger brother of Lord Ram, sought atonement by doing penance after killing the demon king Ravana, at the location of the Laxman Siddh Temple.
Bissu Fair
Gathering nearby communities to celebrate the harvest season during Chaitra’s Shukla Paksha, the Bissu Fair honours Santoora Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. There is exciting music, traditional dances, and colourful clothing.
Mahasu Devta Fair
The August Mahasu Devta Fair held in Hanol village by the Jaunsari tribe honours the four celestial brothers known as Mahasu Devta. Old rites and chants draw devotees looking for the deities’ favour at the 9th-century Mahasu Devta Temple.Â
Wrapping Up
Dehradun’s broad selection of festivals and fairs highlights the city’s unique cultural tapestry all year. Whether they are vivid harvest festivals or colourful festivities, these occasions provide a special chance to get fully immersed in the traditions and customs of the area. Plan your visit during these festivals and experience the city’s vibrant cultural scene with the convenience of a Delhi to Dehradun taxi or a tempo traveller in Delhi from Savaari Car Rentals, a reliable and premium car rental service.
