As per English calendar

Title of the festival/ event

Venue

Brief description of the event/ festival

2005-
06

2006-07

2007-
08

27 August,05

16-17 August, 06

4-5 Sep.07

Sri Krishna Janmashtami

Mathura Vrindavan

The twin cities of Mathura-Vrindavan celebrate the festival of Janmasthmi with great pomp and show. Temples are heavily decorated with 'Jhankis' or tableaus, depicting various episodes of Lord Krishna's life. The special attraction during the period are the gold and silver 'Jhulas' or swings which are taken out on display only during the occasion and the 'Ghatas', when the entire temple is decorated in only one colour-the colour of the 'Ghata' decided for that Day. The Raaslila enactments further add to the festive spirit.

17 Sep,05 to
16 Oct,05

6 Sep, 06 to 6 Oct, 06

25 Sep,07 to
25 Oct,07

Ram Leela

Ram Nagar, Varanasi

Ramnagar, 15 km. from Varanasi presents the Ramlila (traditional enactment of the mythological text 'Ramayana') in the most traditional style. The performances last for 31 days. Hundreds of sandhus called the 'Ramayanis' come to watch and recite the Ramayana. Permanent structures are built and spaces designated to represent the main locales of the story i.e. Ashok Vatika, Janakpuri, Panchvati, Lanka etc., transforming the whole town into a vast Ramlila ground. The audience moves along with the performers with every episode, to the next locale. The greatest attraction is the austere character of the Ramlila. To this day electric lights, mikes and loudspeakers are not used, whereas the average audience is rarely less than ten thousand on any day.

19-23 Oct, 05

3-7 Nov, 06y

3-7 Nov, 07

Ayurved Jhansi Mahotsav

Jhansi

Jhansi is one of the major centers for production of Ayurvedic medicines in U.P . Hence the Jhansi festival aims at highlighting the Ayurvedic system of healing and uses of Ayurveda for general well-being. Clubbed with Handicraft fair and traditional folk performances by regional artists, the Jhansi Mahotsav becomes a complete celebration of art, craft and culture of the Bundelkhand region. The festival also aims at projecting U.P. as the most accessible and approachable destination for attracting people for Health tourism.

20 Oct, 05

10 Oct, 06

29 Oct,07

Deva Mela Deva Sharif,

Barabanki

Deva, 10 km. from Barabanki houses the famous Dargah of Haji Waris Ali Shah, the revered Sufi saint. Deva Mela is celebrated in the month of Nov. at the annual occasion of Urs. Muslim Pilgrimages from all over the world converge at the occasion.

3-16 Nov, 05

24 Oct, 06 5 Nov, 06

11-24 Nov,07

Cattle fair

Bateshwar, Agra

70 km. from Agra, at Bateshwar, is held a large cattle fair in the months of Oct. & Nov. The 108 temples of Shaivite sect at the banks of Yamuna are a great draw for the tourists and devotees during the fair.

3 Nov,05

5 Nov, 06

24 Nov, 07

Dadri Mela

Ballia

Dadri, 5 km. from Balia town, holds the largest cattle fair in the state.

12 Nov, 05

10-11 Nov, 06

8-9 Nov, 07

Christian fair at Minor Baslica of Sardhana

Sardhana, Meerut

21 km. from Meerut town, Sardhana houses the famous church built in 1822 by Begum Samru. Every year on the 1st Sunday of the month of Nov., a large feast is held in honor of Mother Mary. Devotes and history lovers gather in a large no to see not only the wonderful shrine but also the fine palaces built in Italian style around the church by Begum Samru.

12-15 Nov, 05

2-5 Nov, 06

21-24 Nov, 07

Ganga Mahotsav

Varanasi

Ganga Mahaotsav is a 5-day festive event held on the banks of Ganga in Varanasi, which tends to promote Varanasi as the cultural capital of India. The event focuses at promoting the classical style of Indian music & dance and providing opportunity to viewers, to witness performance of the great exponents of Indian classical dance and music. The event also coincides with Dev-Deepawali the festival of lights at Varanasi.

15 Nov, 05

5 Nov, 06

24 Nov, 07

Dev Deepavali

Varanasi

At the occasion of Kartik Poornima the ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of diyas (earthen lamps) lit together. This spectacular event famous as the Dev-Deepawali is celebrated on the 15th day after Diwali, as a tribute to river Ganga by the people of Varanasi.

25 Nov, 07 5 Dec, 07

25 Nov, 07 5 Dec, 07

25 Nov, 07 5 Dec, 07

Lucknow Mahotsav

Lucknow

10 day long Lucknow Mahotsav is a cultural extravaganza, with evenings laden with Mushiaras, Gazals and Kathak dances. The event aims at projecting the last residues of the glorious Awadh culture for the young who have not seen the old days. From Tonga race to vintage cars, every thing is here that reminds of the past glory. Lucknow Mahotsav is also a shopping delight, as craftsmen from all parts of the country gather here to enthrill the audience with their masterpieces. The Mahotsav is also a great event for the food connoisseurs, from Thandai to Kesaria doodh, Kabab- parathas and other mouth watering non-veg exotic dishes are there for them. The Mahotsav offers every delicacy at the most affordable prices.

-

3 Jan, 07 to 26 Feb, 07

-

Ardh Kumbh Mela

Allahabad

The Ardh Kumbh at Allahabad is celebrated every 6th year in the months of Jan- Feb. Kumbh Mela is considered to be the largest fair in the world attended by millions of pilgrims. Processions of holy men going for their ritual bath and huts pitched all over the river banks virtually convert the Kumbh area into a small township, that presents colours of India in its most varied shades.

14- Jan, 05 to 26 Feb, 05

-

22 Jan, 08 to 03 March,08

Magh Mela

Allahabad

Magh Mela is the annual version of the Kumbh Mela and considered as the mini Kumbh, celebrated at the holy Sangam at Allahabad. The event starts from Makar Sankranti and ends at Maha Shivratri, during which several dates are deemed as auspicious for taking holy dips in the Sangam.

8-10 Feb, 06

8-10 Feb, 07

8-10 Feb, 08

Water sports Festival

Allahabad

Water sports festival Allahabad is an event packed with adventure thrills of kayaking, canoeing and other water sport activities. Organised at Allahabad every year, the event is an opportunity to indulge in water sport activities of varied nature.

18-27 Feb, 06

18-27 Feb, 07

18-27 Feb, 08

Taj Mahotsav

Agra

The Taj Mahotsav at Agra is a colorful display of the Arts, crafts, culture and cuisine of the Braj area. Organized by U.P. Tourism and held as an annual event at the Shilpgram, Taj Mahotsav is a fitting tribute to the legendary skills of master craftsmen of Agra and adjoining regions.

2-7 Feb,06

22-28 Feb, 06

2-7 Feb,07

22-28 Feb, 07

2-7 Feb, 08

22-28 Feb,08

Yoga Festival

Yoga Festival

Allahabad Varanasi

The Department of Tourism Govt. of U.P. organizes Yoga week in the holy city of Allahabad and Varanasi every year. These yoga weeks provide the participants opportunity to learn, discuss, absorb and practice Yoga amidst cultural and natural heritage of U.P.

08 March, 06

25 Feb, 07

15 March, 08

Lathmar Holi

Nandgaon , Barsana, District Mathura

Lathmaar Holi is the most colourful and exuberant form of traditional Holi festival celebrated at Barsana, 48 km. from Mathura and at Nandgaon 7 km. ahead, women folk here beat the men with 'Lathis' or Bamboo poles while showering coloured water on them with great rejoice and merriment.

1-3 April, 06

1-3 April, 07

1-3 April, 08

Kabab Festival

Lucknow

Awadh is famous for its Kababs- one of the traditional Awadhi cuisine, made with rare spices and cooked on slow charcoal fire in earthen vessels. The Kabab festival attempts to provide several vanishing varieties not heard of now a days. The Department aims to promote cuisine as a tourism product for the Awadh circuit.