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 Festivals Of Haryana

Haryana is a state situated in north India. It shares its borders with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in the north, Rajasthan in the west and south and Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh in the east. It is a part of the National Capital Region. Chandigarh serves as the capital of Haryana.

 

The name Haryana is derived from the Sanskrit words Hari, which refers to the Hindu god Vishnu, and ayana, meaning (home).

A wonderful fusion of the old and new may be seen in the state of Haryana. Many different cultures and civilizations have ruled over Haryana. Numerous fairs and festivals that are specific to the state are celebrated in Haryana. Every event in the state is observed with the customary passion and devotion.

In Haryana, nearly every Indian holiday is observed. People from many castes and cultural backgrounds cohabit together in Haryana. There are also a huge amount of Haryana-specific fairs. You can escape the boredom of a regular existence at the fairs and festivals of Haryana.

Teej

Every year, in the monsoon season of July and August, the Teej festival is held. All married women participate fully in this event in order to pray for a blissful and lengthy union. With swings strung from trees and floral decorations, the celebration comes to life. To honour Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, people dance and sing. Women enjoy a magnificent day of shopping for necklaces, bracelets, bindis, beads, and other accessories while dancing at the Teej Mela (fair). The women of Haryana are dressed to the nines; they wear expensive jewellery and clothing, and those who have recently wed go to their parents' house to celebrate with friends and family. The state of Haryana is beautifully decked for Teej, and processions with camels, horses, and decorated elephants add to the beautiful scene.

Lohri

Lohri is one of the most popular festivals in Haryana. Lohri marks the end of winter and welcomes the season of fertility. It is celebrated every year on 13 January just before Makar Sankranti. Lohri is actually meant for the Punjabis, but the entire state celebrates it with equal joy and fervor. On the day of Lohri people burn huge bonfires and throw sweets, puffed rice and popcorn into the flames. They make circles around the fire, sing songs, dance and exchange greetings. People also pray around the fire which symbolizes Agni or the spark of life.

Haryana Day

This is amongst the most exciting festivals in Haryana. It is celebrated on 1 September every year. It is named so because it was on this day that the birth of Tourism took place in Haryana, which is the Haryana Tourism Corporation came into existence. The day is celebrated with a lot of zest and enthusiasm in the state. There are a number of events that are held in the different parts of the state. One of the most popular events is the Cycle race that is held from Chandigarh to Panchkula.

Pinjore Heritage Festival

The Pinjore Heritage Festival takes place at Pinjore. Pinjore is a small town that is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Chandigarh. Pinjore is home some to some of the best terraced gardens in the country. These gardens belong to the Mughal era in India and were planned by Fidai Khan during the reign of Jehangir.

Gugga Naumi

This is a festival that is unique to Haryana. Gugga Naumi is a religious festival, in connection with snake-worship. It is observed in the months of August-September. People worship Gugga Pir or Zahir Pir (the saint) who was reputed for having the power of curing people of dangerous snake bites.