Fairs
& Festivals of Dehradun
Jhanda Fair
| Tapkeshwar
Fair | Laxmansidh Fair
|
Bissu
Fair | Mahasu
Devta Fair
Shaheed Veer Kesri Chandra Fair
Jhanda Fair 
Jhanda Fair is held every year at the historic Guru Ram Rai Darbar in Dehradun
City on the fifth day after Holi in the sacred memory of the Guru. The fair begins with
putting up a new Jhanda (Flag) on the staff located in the compound of the historic
complex. Besides local people, a large number of devotees turn up from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, U.P.
and Himachal Pradesh etc.
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Tapkeshwar Mela
Tapkeshwar is a
legendary place located on the eastern bank of the river tons. Lord Shiva is the reigning
deity of the ancient temple located here in a cave. In the Skandapurana, the place has
been referred to as Deveshwara. It is believed that during Dwaparyuga, this place was
abode of Guru Dronacharya who lived here with his family. Since then, the cave is known as
Drona Gufa. One of the famous heroes of Mahabharata and son of Guru Drona, Ashwathama, was
born here. When Ashwathama was very young,
the poor father could not find any milk for him. The Guru was too poor to afford a cow. It
was a matter of worry to the great master.
One day, when young Ashwathama was crying for milk, the helpless Guru advised him to pray
and worship Lord Shiva, who would bless him with milk. Ashwathama did so. Pleased with the
young boy’s tough penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him and enquired about his wish.
Little Ashwathama asked for milk. Lord Shiva blessed him and said that milk would be made
available here. Ashwathama found milk falling on the Shivalinga, drop by drop. Ashwathama
had prayed to the Lord by the name of Tapkeshwar and hence the place was known by the same
name. A big fair takes place here on the Shivratri day. Thousands of devotees congregate
at this place on the day to offer prayers. Tapkeshwar is approachable from
Dehradun by City Bus or three wheelers and is about 5 kms from the
Bus-Stand and 5.5 kms from Railway Station .
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Laxman Sidhha
Fair
Lakshman Siddha is one of the four Siddhpeeths around Dehradun. It has immense
religious importance. It is mainly a local religious fair held every
Sunday, but last Sunday of April has a special significance, when people
turn up in very large number and seen offering obeisance to the Samadhi
here. It is about 10 kms away on Dehradun-Rishikesh road and can be easily
approached by city bus or tempo. It is located about a km off the road
inside jungle.
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Bissu Fair
 This fair is held at the Jhanda ground in
cantonment arear of Chakrata block of Dehradun district. It is about 3 kms
from Chakrata. The fair reflects cultural heritage and tradition of
Jaunsari tribe. A large number of people turn up in this fair from nearby
Tehri, Uttarkashi and Saharanpur districts. The fair marks harvesting
season in the area and reflects the happiness of the local
people.
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Mahasu Devta's Fair
 Mahasu Devta’s fair is held at Hanol
which is about 120 kms on the Chakrata Tyuni road. The fair takes place in
August every year, when Mahasu Devta(deity) is taken out in a procession.
Musical prayers continue for three days and nights. The havan samagri
(offering material) is arranged by the Government of India. This is a
local fair of Jaunsari tribe. Thousands of participants throng the place
on the occasion from the adjacent Tehri, Uttarkashi and Saharanpur
district.
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Saheed Veer Kesri Chandra
Fair
This fair
is held at Ramtal in Nagau gram sabha of Chakrata tehsil in Dehradun district. Ramtal is a beautiful natural tank of about
30 mts long and 30 mts wide, located on a hill and is connected with a 700 mts long motorable road. The tank is surrounded by a green ground which is the venue of the fair. Every
year during navratras, in the month of April a big fair is held here. A
temple and a memorial dedicated to the freedom fighter Veer Kesri Chandra
is located at this spot.
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