Fairs and Festivals of Bihar

The Indian state of Bihar is a land filled with different religious communities and tribes. This diverse land joins with enthusiasm and pomp on the days and seasons of festivals and fairs. The religious composition of the people includes Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Sufism, etc. Religious communities reside in harmony and celebrate various festivals with fasting, feasting, folk music, and dance, thus uniting and rejuvenating the people. The fairs and festivals of Bihar are known to attract tourists from all over the country and worldwide. Most of the fairs and festivals of Bihar hold religious beliefs and are rooted in ancient folklore.

Fairs and Festivals of Bihar

Chhath Puja 

Chhath puja is the most famous and original celebrated festival among the many fairs and festivals of Bihar. It is an ancient Hindu festival in the worship of ‘Surya’, the sun deity. It is celebrated 6 days after Diwali in worship and honoring the sun for its sustenance and blessings. The observers of the puja perform fasts and prayers and distribute sweets, kheer (rice pudding), and fruits. One witnesses the true spirit of the festival when thousands of devotees gather on the banks of the holy Ganges river before sunrise for the conclusion of Chatth puja. 

Sonepur Cattle Fair

Sonepur Cattle Fair is Asia’s largest cattle fair held in Sonepur. It has its roots in ancient mythology and folklore. It is believed that the ancient Mauryan king Chandragupta Maurya bought elephants and horses across the Ganges river, and ever since, this trade fair has been organized every Kartik Purnima (full moon day after Diwali). Domestic cattle, including cows, bulls, oxen, elephants, sheep, goats, and birds, are brought in from all over the country and sold. 

Sonepur is marked as a holy site as the rivers Ganga and Gandhak confluence. People take a holy dip and offer prayers at the Hariharnath temple. Handicrafts, handlooms, magic shows, folk music, and dance are displayed at this fair, thus attracting a huge number of tourists from the country and abroad. 

Makar-Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is the harvest festival of Bihar, similar to Pongal in South India, Lohri in North India, and Bihu in Assam. Like every other holy festival, it is marked with pujas, offerings of flowers to the gods, and holy dips in the Ganges. The famous Makar Sankranti mela is held in Rajgir and Mandar Hills, Banka district, in January. The sky is littered with pretty and colorful kites flown by children. Makar Sankranti is one of the biggest fairs and festivals in Bihar. 

Pitrapaksha Mela

The Pitrapaksha mela is held in the town of Gaya every year in September. Gaya is the home to many ancient Hindu temples in Bihar. People from all over the country come to take part in the 16-day ancestral worship as part of the Shraddha ritual (a mandatory Hindu ritual performed after a person’s death, known to give peace and salvation to a departed soul). 

Rajgir Mahotsav

Rajgir is the ancient capital of the Magadha empire and is held sacred by the Jain and Buddhist communities as it is associated with Buddha and Mahavira. The Department of Tourism of Bihar organizes the three-day Rajgir Mahotsav in the last week of October. It is celebrated with folk dance, devotional music, instrumental music, martial arts contests, tonga race, Mehendi art, Mahila Utsav, etc. It is held in October and attracts many tourists from around the world.

Bihula

Bihula or Bishari puja is celebrated in the Bhagalpur district, Bihar, in August every year. The people worship goddess Mansa and pray for protection over their families. The festival celebrates and displays the Manjusha form of art. The celebration of Bihula originates from the folktale of a girl Bihula who prayed to the goddess Mansa who restored the life of her husband, Lakshinder. 

Buddha Jayanti

Bihar is believed to be the place when Gautama Buddha earned his enlightenment and is hence a revered and celebrated festival in Bihar. In May, Buddha Jayanti is celebrated in Bodh Gaya, now known as Rajgir, on the Baisakh Purnima (full moon day). Thousands of people from the Buddhist community and international tourists gather at the Mahabodhi Temple, Rajgir, to offer prayers and worship.  The temple’s area is beautifully decorated with Buddhist flags on this auspicious day. 

Conclusion

Bihar is a state rich in culture, diversity, and communities. The fairs and festivals of Bihar are celebrated on a large scale and attract many tourists from around the globe. The religious communities of Bihar comprise Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, etc. Chhath Puja is Bihar’s original and biggest festival celebrated with fasting, feasting, and worship after Diwali.

Sonepur Cattle Fair is Asia’s largest cattle trade fair which is held in Sonepur. Cultural exhibitions and displays mark the fair. Makar Sankranti is Bihar’s harvest festival marked with pujas, celebration, and kite flying. Pitrapaksha Mela is the festival marking the worship and honor of ancestors and departed souls. Rajgir Mahotsav is a Buddhist and Jain festival celebrated by the Jain and Buddhist communities.