Punjab Fairs

A state buzzing and bustling with activity, Punjab is a land of fairs and festivals. In fact, fairs form an important part of the social life of the people living therein. These cultural festivities add to the lively and dynamic character of the state. Punjabis are always on the lookout of occasions for enjoying and merry-making. And, fairs provide them with the best opportunity to mingle with their fellow people and make the best use of the time. A Punjabi fair makes for an aesthetic and heart-warming treat to a lover of North Indian culture. For the masses, these festivals are popular occasions for social interaction and enjoyment.

While most of the Punjabi fairs celebrate the vibrant and pulsating cultural traditions of the state, some are also religious in character, such as Muktsar fair and Jarag fair. Musical concerts, dance and many other fun activities are the key features of Punjab fairs. These colorful fairs have long attracted tourists and visitors from all parts of the country and even outside. People belonging to different cultures attend these fairs and explore the vivacious spirit and effervescence of Punjab, which has continued to be a bubbling cauldron of cultural activity since ages. Organized all through the year, these fairs keep the people of the region engrossed in merry making and celebrations. Read on to explore all about the major fairs organized in Punjab.

Jarag Fair

Time: March-April
Place: Jarag, Ludhiana
Significance: Displays unique community life of the local people of Punjab
Highlights: Worship of Goddess Seetla, Offering of a sweet called gurgulus, Beautifully

decorated donkeys

Jarag fair is one of the important fairs of Punjab that is held in Jarag, a village in tehsil Pail and district Ludhiana. The fair is also known as Baheria Fair. It is organized in the month of Cheth (March-April), in the honor of the Goddess Seetla. The festival is celebrated in Malwa and Powad as well, but the fair is held only in Jarag. On the day of the fair, the devotees of Goddess Seetla gather near the pond and scoop a portion of the earth to form a mound. The mound is revered as the shrine of the Goddess.

Prayers and pujas are conducted on Jarag Fair. Sweet gurgulus (jiggery cakes) are made one day prior to the fair and offered to the Goddess on the day of fair. The sweets are then offered to the donkeys, which are the favorite of the Goddess. Donkeys are specially decorated for the occasion, with potters cladding them in attractive colorful blankets. Some even put bells or conch shells and beads around their neck.

After the rituals, people cherish the gurgulus among themselves. A number of stalls are also set up in the fair. There is a wide display of handicrafts and traditional items, which have something to offer for everybody's taste. Many cultural programs with traditional songs and dances are presented in the fair. The fair gives an excellent opportunity to the tourists to experience the community life of the local people. 

 

Muktsar Fair

Time: 14th January (Makar Shankranti)
Place: Muktsar
Significance: Tribute is paid to Guru Gobind Singh and his forty brave followers
Highlights: Devotees take bath in the sacred tank, followed by the procession to the three holy

mounds. Cultural programs present additional attraction.

Muktsar fair is one of the largest Sikh fairs held in Punjab. The fair is held in the middle of January i.e. on the Makar Sankranti day, which falls on January 14. As The fair derives its name from the forty Mukhtas of Guru Gobind Singh who died a valiant death in the Battle of Khidrana. The fair is organized in the Muktsar district of Punjab, to pay tribute to Guru Gobind Singh and his followers. Let us explore all about the Muktsar Maghi Fair of Punjab.

History
Muktsar Maghi Fair commemorates the battle fought by Guru Gobind Singh in 1705-06, against the imperial forces of Mughal rule. The Guru was defeated in the battle, but managed to escape. However, his followers were not as fortunate and were cut into pieces. Guru disposed off his followers’ bodies with the usual rites, declaring that they have attained salvation. He also said that his followers who would bathe in the Holy Pool on the same day would also attain salvation. Later, Maharaja Ranjit Singh dug a fine tank on this spot and called it, Muktsar (the pool of salvation).

Proceedings
Muktsar Fair lasts for three days and attracts a large crowd. On the first day, the worshippers bathe in the sacred tank. There is a procession (mohalla) organized on the second day, to the three holy mounds that lie to the northwest of the town. The three holy mounds are Rikab Sahib, Tibbi Sahib and Mukhwanjana Sahib. Rikab Sahib is the mound formed out of a handful of earth taken from the tank by the faithful and thrown there. It commemorates the spot where the Guru's revolt began. The procession begins from the Rikab Sahib and proceeds to the slope of the Tibbi Sahib, which is crowned with a Gurudwara. Tibbi Sahib is the mound where Guru Gobind Singh stood and aimed his arrows at the Imperial forces.

Finally, the devotees proceed to the Mukhwanjana Sahib, where it is believed that Guru had cleaned his teeth with a tooth-stick. Devotees offer their prayer here and then return. On their return, the devotees visit the Tambu Sahib, where the Guru's tent is said to have been pitched before the fight started; the Shahid Ganj, which is the Samadhi of the forty martyrs; and the Darbar Sahib, where the Guru held his Darbar after the cremation of the slain. Cultural programs are also organized, which add fun to the historic dimension of the fair. Traditional songs and dances form the main features of the programs. 

Roshni Fair

Time: Phagun (February-March)
Place: Jagravan
Significance: Celebrated in the honor of Muslim pir, Abdul Kader
Highlights: Lighting of lamps at the shrine of the pir, Organization of cultural events

Roshni Fair (Fair of the Lights) is held in Jagravan, a city in the Ludhiana district of Punjab, from 14th to 16th of Phagun month (February-March). It is held in the honor of a Muslim Pir (saint), Abdul Kader Jalani. However, people of all casts, creeds and religions actively participate in the fair. Roshni Fair is organized at the vicinity of the pir's tomb. It is called the 'Fair of Lights’ because the devotees coming to visit the place light earthern lamps at the shrine of the pir.

Youths color the occasion further by singing bolian and performing traditional dances. The songs and dances are given an extra sweetness by the melodious strains of the flute and the one-stringed instrument called Toomba. Circus, magic shows, swings etc are other important attractions of the fair. It is commonly believed that sincere wishes come true at the shrine of this great pir.  

Shaheedi Jor Mela

Time: 24th to 26th December
Place: Gurudwara Fatehpur Sahib, Fatehpur district (Punjab)
Significance: Celebrated to pay tribute to the great martyrdom of Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and

Baba Fateh Singh Ji
Highlights: Three days mela; with akhand paath on first day, political rallies on second day and nagar kirtan on third day

Shaheedi Jor Mela is organized every year in the month of December, at the Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib, in the Fatehgarh District of Punjab. The fair is organized to pay tribute to the martyrdom of Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji. They were the brave Sahibzadas (princes) of Guru Gobind Singh. They have a special position in the history of Sikhism owing to their unshaken patriotism to their religion. At a very tender age, they denied the offer of Wazir Khan, the then Governor of Sirhind, to have treasures and easy life if they convert to Islam. They were initially entombed alive, by being bricked to a wall. However, it was not powerful enough to kill them. Later, on 26th December 1705, both of them were mercilessly martyred at Sirhind.

Propaganda
Shaheedi Jor Mela is organized for three consecutive days, in the month of Demmber. The mela begins on 24th December in a highly religious manner. Akhand Paath of Guru Granth Sahib is organized at Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup. Next day is the day for political rallies and meetings. Various stages are set near the gurdwaras, for this purpose only. Finally, on 26th December, the mela ends with nagar kirtan from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup.

Participation
Lakhs of devotees visit Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib and Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup during the three days of the mela, to pay their homage to the two Gurus. People from nearby villages actively participate in its preparations. They extend their helpful hand in organizing langars (free meals) for the devotees visiting Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib. They also cooperate at the community kitchen, serving tea, snacks and meals to the devotees on their way to Sirhind. People from far away places come to Sirhind to do service (karsewa) despite the chilly cold winter of December.  

Baba Sodal Mela

Time: Bhadon month (Mid-August-Mid September)
Place: Jalandhar
Significance: Commemorates the heavenly descent of Baba Sodal

Highlights: Prayers

Baba Sodal Mela occupies a prominent place in the list of fairs in Punjab. The fair is held to pay tribute to the great soul of the Bab Sodal. Every year, it is held in the month of Bhadon, in the city of Jalandhar. The celebration takes place on the 14th day of Shukal Paksh (bright half of the lunar month). The fair attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country, who come and pay tribute to the deity on this day. Baba Sodal Fair is centered on the Samadhi of the baba, with his painted portrait placed alongside, decorated with flowers and rosaries. There is a holy tank nearby the Samadhi, which is called the 'Baba Sodal da Sarovar’. Pilgrims either sprinkle the holy water from this tank on themselves or sometimes, even take a dip in the tank. Then they present offerings at the Samadhi of Baba Sodal.

Legend of Baba Sodal
Legend goes that Baba Sodal was born in a family of Chadha clan of Khatri caste, in the Jalandhar city. There are several myths associated with the baba. One of them goes that as a small boy, Baba Sodal once followed his mother to the pond where she used to wash clothes. Despite being repeatedly asked not to follow, he reached the pond. Angered at his disobedience, his mother cursed him. He asked her to repeat the curse three times. As she did so, he immediately disappeared into the pond and was never found again. The day when Baba Sodal left the mortal world and proceeded towards his celestial abode is celebrated as a fair in the state.

There is yet another legend that is associated with Baba Sodal. It cites that after being cursed, Baba Sodal appeared in the form of a holy snake and declared his farewell from this mortal world. He asked Chadha and Anand families to accept his reincarnation and to offer him Mathi (local flour made snake) called "Topa”. He said that "topa” could be consumed only by the members of Chadha Clan. On the amawasya (no moon night) that falls before the Sodal Fair, the head of Chadha Clan visits the pond and extracts clay fourteen times for his each of his son.

The extraction of clay is done with the belief that by doing so Baba Ji will appear on the day of Trydashi (13th of local month). Kasar (kneading of simple flour) is also made and offered fourteen times, gradually in parts. On Chaturdarshi (14th of local month), all the members of the Chadha clan eat only fried food, especially made from a traditional fry pan. Before eight days of the fair, all members of the Chadha clan sow 'Kheti’ in the name of Baba Ji, a tradition that means the more prosperous the sow, happier and richer will be the family

 

Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan

Time: 27th to 30th December
Place: Jalandhar
Significance: Commemorates the memory of the great musician Swami Harballabh
Highlights: Best of classical vocalists and instrumentalists performing live to a mass audience

Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan is one of the important fairs of Punjab, a state that has an exceptional cultural aspect embedded in it. It is more of a musical concert, which is being organized for more than 130 years in Punjab. The fair commemorates the memory of the genius saint-musician, Swami Harballabh. Every year, it is organized at Devi Talab, near the Samadhi of the saint, in Jalandhar, from 27th December to 30th December. It presents an opportunity to the renowned musicians and singers of the country to celebrate Indian Classical music together.

Swami Harballabh
The name of Swami Harballabh stands high in the field of classical music. He belonged to a rich family of village Bajwara of district Hoshiarpur, but was disillusioned with the worldly life and renounced it to embrace music forever. He became the disciple of Swami Tulja Gir, who initiated him into the world of music. Within a very short time, Swami Harballabh became the maestro of Indian Classical music. Among his many compositions, the 'Dhrupads’ are the most popularly acknowledged ones. Besides, being a master musician, he also composed new tunes in classical music.

Swami Harballabh was so popular that he drew a large number of admirers and disciples. One of his main disciples was Pandit Tolo Ram, a Brahmin of Jalandhar, who succeeded Swami Harballabh's institution after his death. In 1956, a Sangeet Academy was founded under the aegis of the Harballah Sangeet Mahasabha. The purpose of the Academy is to form a centre in Punjab to teach and make researches in classical music. It has a prescribed set of syllabus and conducts examinations to award degrees and diplomas to the candidates.

The Sammelan
The first Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan was organized in 1875. Since then, it continues to be one of the most widely visited concerts of the country. This three-day concert attracts audience as well as artists from both within and outside the country. The main purpose of the Sammelan is to promote the development of Indian classical music on a wider scale. It gives an excellent opportunity to hear some of the best music and the most melodious voices of the reputed singers of the country. Also, it is a golden chance for the artists to address their performance to a mass audience. Both vocalists as well as the instrumentalists, the two main exponents of classical music, perform during the Sammelan. Another encouraging aspect is that the organizers of the Sammelan offers free tickets and even the accommodation and food is absolutely free of cost. So, make sure you don’t miss the great concert when you visit Punjab.