Uttarakhand Temple festivals hold the religious integrity of the state. The Uttarakhand temple festivals are worth seeing for its versatility and merrymaking amidst religious customs. The Uttarakhand temple festivals play a major role in the social and cultural lives of the people of Uttarakhand.

Khatarua Festival of Uttarakhand
"Khatarua" is essentially the special Uttarakhand temple festival that marks the pastoral - agricultural success and is celebrated on the first day of the month of Ashwin in mid September, and signifies the beginning of the Autumn.

On the day of Khatarua, the people of Uttarakhand gather together and light bonfires, around which children dance, holding aloft colourful flags. People take special care of their cattle and feed them fresh grass. Cucumbers are offered to the fire of Khatarua, which is said to destroy all evil influences on the society. The victory of the king of Kumaon is also said to be one of the reasons for the celebration of Khatarua.

Vat Savitri Festival of Uttarakhand
"Vat Savitri" is one of the Uttarakhand temple festivals, celebrated on the Krishna Amavasya of Jyestha and on that day married women worship `Savitri` and the `Vat` or banyan tree and pray for the well being of their spouses. The married women observe fast in honour of `Savitri and Satyavan` and worship in the temples, commemorating the intense dedication of Savitri through her intense devotion that saved her husband from the claws of death.

Ganga Dussehra Festival of Uttarakhand
"Ganga Dussehra" or "Dasar" is celebrated on the Shukla Dashmi of the Jyestha (May to June). The sacred Ganga is worshipped on this day and Dussehra posters, which have various geometric designs on them, are hung on the doors of houses and temples. These posters are once hand written by Brahmins and are now printed. On this day people bathe in the holy rivers.

Devidhura Temple Festival of Uttarakhand
The "Devidhura Festival" is held in the compound of the Varahi Devi Temple at Devidhura on the day of `Raksha Bandhan`. The people of Kumaon celebrate Raksha Bandhan by the name "Janopunyu". On this Uttarakhand temple festival day, people change their `Janeu`, a sacred thread. Devidhura Temple is situated at a tri-junction of Almora, Pithoragarh and Nainital districts and the festival is best known for its captivating folk songs and dances as also for its feast.

Jageshwar Festival of Uttarakhand
The "Jageshwar Festival" is held on the 15th day of the month of Baisakh at the Shiva Temple in Jageshwar. During this time, the people take holy dips in the Brahma Kund and worship Lord Shiva. On this day, fairs are also held in many other places.

Punyagiri Temple Festival of Uttarakhand
During the "Punyagiri Festival", people gather at the Punyagiri Temple, situated on the top of a mountain on the right bank of the River Kali, in the Pithoragarh. The temple remains heavily crowded during the Navaratri of Poush and Chaitra.

Fairs at Uttarakhand
There are many more religious fairs held in the state, namely "Chaiti Fair" at Kashipur, "Shivaratri Fair" at Bhikiasen, "Janmashtami Fair" at Kalapani and Gunji, "Hokara Devi Fair" at Birthi, "Lachher Fair" near Nainital and many others. Apart from these, some other fairs that are famous in Uttarakhand are as follows:


•"Jauljibi" and "Thal Fairs" are held every year in November at Jauljibi and have a religious significance. A similar fair is held at Thal on Vaisakh Sankranti and it attracts a large number of Shaukas. With the closure of the Indo - Tibet trade and these fairs have lost their previous importance.
•"Uttarayani Fair" is held in a number of places including Bageshwar, Suit Mahadev, Rameshwar, Chitrashila (Ranibagh) and Hanseshwar on the Uttarayani day.
•"Nanda Devi Fair" is held at Almora, Nainital, Kot, Ranikhet, Bhowali and Kichha and also in the remote villages of Lohar and Pindar valleys. In the villages of the Pindar valley people celebrate the `Nanda Devi Jaat` every year, while in Lohar people come from far and wide to Danadhar, Suring, Milam and Martoli in order to worship the Goddess. In Nainital and Almora, thousands of devotees take part in the procession of these Uttarakhand Temple festivals, carrying the `Dola of Nanda Devi`. It is said that the Nanda Devi fairs started in Kumaon during the reign of Kalyan Chand in the 16th Century.
•"Haatkalika Fair" is another important event amongst Uttarakhand temple festivals, held on the Ashtami of the Chaitra and Bhado months in the Kalika Temple at Gangolihat. People beat drums heavily and install flags to pay homage to Goddess Kalika. On this day, animals are sacrificed and offered to the Goddess.