Uttarakhand Festivals & Fairs: Complete Calendar of Celebrations

Festivals of Uttarakhand: A Complete Guide

Uttarakhand's festivals are deeply tied to its mountains, rivers, and temples. Knowing the uttarakhand festival names helps you plan a visit during the most vibrant seasons.

Major Uttarakhand Festival Names & When They Happen

• Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra (May–June, every 12 years) — The grandest festival of Kumaon, a 280-km chariot procession honouring Goddess Nanda Devi.
• Phool Dei (March, Chaitra) — Spring festival where children decorate doorways with flowers and receive sweets.
• Harela (July) — Sowing festival marking the monsoon, celebrated with offerings of new grain.
• Ganga Dusshera (June) — Celebrating the descent of the Ganga, with rituals in Haridwar and Rishikesh.
• Kumaoni Holi — The longest Holi celebration in India, with Baithki, Khadi, and Mahila Holis in Kumaon.
• Kartik Poornima (November) — Devotees throng Haridwar for holy dips and floating diyas.
• Makar Sankranti / Ghughutiya (January) — Kite festival with sweet khichdi and bird-shaped sweets.
• Bissu (April) — Harvest festival of the Jaunsari tribe in Chakrata.

Where Festivals Are Best Experienced

Almora, Nainital, and Bageshwar host the grandest Kumaoni celebrations, while Haridwar and Rishikesh anchor the Ganga-related festivals. The Nanda Devi Raj Jat begins at Nauti village near Karnaprayag.

Plan your Uttarakhand festival trip with Holiday Mitra — our Haridwar-Rishikesh retreat and Nainital packages can be aligned with festival dates.