Ambala Fairs and Festivals

Ambala is a city in the state of Punjab and like the rest of this colourful state, Ambala too has its share of festivities throughout the year. The fairs and festivals in Punjab are centered around the local customs, the harvesting seasons and other common religious celebrations which are the same throughout the country.

The most common festivals that are celebrated in Ambala by the Hindus are Diwali, Holi, Dusherra, Janam Ashtami. Festivals like Gugga Navami, Shivratri, Durga Ashtami, Baisakhi, Lohria and Raksha Bandhan are more local and celebrated with great festivity during the various seasons in a year. Karwa Chauth, Nirjala Ekdashi, Hoee are some of the festivals celebrated by Punjabi women in particular.

Bawan Dwadshi is one of the religious festivals which is celebrated in this city. This festival is held in the month of September. Hereby, around fifty two idols of Gods are carried in the form of a procession to the Lord Jagannath temple located in Nahan. The procession doted by devotees and fairs held to celebrate the occasion makes this festival similar to the Rath Yatra held in Puri and celebrated in the eastern states of the country.

Lohri is a harvest festival celebrated in most parts of north India. It is celebrated to symbolize the last few days of winter. This festival falls in mid of January. The ritual is performed mainly thanking Sun God for its continuous protection towards crops. People gather wearing brightest of clothes, singing and dancing away in celebration. This festival is not only significant for farmers but also for the residents of Ambala city.

Mela Markandya is a fair dedicated to Rishi Markandya. It is held at Haryoli, Ambal Tehsil during Asoj Purnmashi which falls in between September and October.

Mela Pankha is another fair which is held during the month of June. This fair is celebrated in the memory of Hazarat Lakhi Shah who was formerly known as Taj-ud-din-Christi. Devotees recite prayers from Koran and offer fruits, sweets etc.Qawalis are sung admiring the saint.

Fairs and festivals of different religion are also celebrated in the city. Mahaveer Jayanti, Guru Nanak Gurparb, Id-ul-Zuha, Muharram, Easter, Christmas are other religious festivals which are celebrated in high spirits across the different communities.

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