Fairs and Festivals in Amritsar reflect the vibrant tradition of cultural extravaganza. Connoting different mythical and religious significance, the festivals and fairs of Amritsar are celebrated by the enthusiastic inhabitants of the place.

The land of Amritsar is enriched with many ancient customs that have evolved over a considerable period of time. Several renowned Sikh Gurus visited Amritsar from time to time thereby making it a holy land. Some of the notable festivals and fairs of Amritsar that held in this district of Punjab are:

Diwali – Daal Roti Ghar di, Diwali Amritsar di
diwaliDiwali is the prime festival of lights and is held in between the months of October or November. It is celebrated in Amritsar with high magnificence and extravaganza. Festival of Diwali in Amritsar offers a unique experience as it is celebrated in the Golden Temple with great enthusiasm and devotion. In Amritsar various cultural and religious events takes place. Famous poets and religious singers participate in the spiritual congregations. On the festival day, devotees take a sacred dip in the consecrated water in the early morning. During the festive days, the Golden temple, surroundings areas and houses are illuminated with a chain of colourful lights, bulbs, oil lamps, candles and earthen lamps.

Ram Tirath Fair
Ram Tirath Fair is regarded as an important religious event of Amritsar. The fair is held at a place called Ram Tirath which is situated at a distance of 11 km from Amritsar. A pilgrimage of Punjab, the site at which the Ram Tirath Fair is organized, a tank is situated there. The myth surrounding the fair says that this tank was dug by the ardent follower of Lord Rama, Hanuman. As per the historic past of Ram Tirath, the place was once used by Devi Sita who was the wife of Lord Rama. During her exile Sita spent her days in a hut in Ram Tirath and gave birth to Lav and Kush in this place only. Also, one of the greatest epics of Hindu Shashtra – Ramayana – is said to have been written by Rishi Valmiki in Ram Tirath.

During the five days of the Ram Tirath Fair which takes place after two weeks of Diwali, the women of Amritsar make lamps of flour, fill with mustard oil or ghee and float these in the water of the tank while signing holy songs. This custom is known by the name of Tullu floating in Amritsar. Book your cheap flight to Amritsar to experience the traditions.

Basant Panchami
Basant Panchami is the popular festival of Amritsar. All the inhabitants of Amritsar celebrate this festival with great fun, and devotion. On the occasion on Basant Panchami a big fair is organized in the Chheharta Sahib Gurudwara of Amritsar. On this sacred festival the services of Langar is arranged for the devotees. This is the festival celebrated by all the Sikh families. People of all religions, castes and creeds come to Amritsar to celebrate the Basant Panchami festival. There is a ritual of kite play on this day. People enjoy the kite flying on this festival the sky gets filled with lots of the small and large colourful kites.

Baisakhi
baisakhiThe festival of Baisakhi or Vaisakhi is celebrated in Amritsar with great magnificence and extravaganza. It is celebrated on or around the 13th of the April month each and every year. The festival celebrates the spring season with great enthusiasm. The inhabitants of Amritsar celebrate this festival with colours and Bhangra dances and Punjabi songs are performed. Baisakhi has the great religious importance. It is considered as very auspicious festival in Amritsar because it is the sacred day when Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth. On the festival, pious The Granth Sahib is read in all the Gurdwaras and attractive processions pass through out the city.

Lohri Festival
Lohri is one of the major festivals of Punjab and of many other North Indian States. It is a very popular festival of Sikhs and Hindus. It is celebrated after harvesting of the Rabi crops and held on or around the 14th of January every year. It becomes most required for the newly married couples to celebrate their first Lohri festival. Lohri is celebrated in various parts of India but varies in names and local traditions. Til, gazak, rewari, sweets, gur, jaggery, moongphali, phuliya (the local delicacies) are consumed as the sacred Prasad of Lohri. Revolving around the bonfire is the essential ritual of Lohri. Traditional dance and songs are performed at the time of celebrating this festival.

Guru Nanak Jayanti
gurunanakdevjiGuru Nanak Jayanti is also known as Gurupurab festival. Guru Nanak Dev was the first Sikh spiritual leader and also known as the founder of the Sikh religion. This is the festival dedicated to celebrate his birth day anniversary with fervour. It is celebrated in the month of October or November (depending on the Indian calendar). The festival is celebrated by all Sikhs with high devotion. On the festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti all the Gurudwaras of Amritsar are beautifully decorated with lights and bulbs. The sacred Akhand Path that is a forty eight hours incessant reading of the Granth Sahib blessed book is conducted at all the Gurudwaras. Special lunch known as Langar is freely served to all the people on this festival.

Hola Mohalla
Hola Mohalla is the popular festival of Amritsar. This festival is dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh who was the tenth religious leader of Sikhs. Anandpur Sahib is the sacred site which possesses of the major religious values in Sikhism where the festival of Hola Mohalla is organized with utmost devotion and fun. On the festival of Hola Mohalla various religious processions pass from the roads of Amritsar city. It is very auspicious event for all Sikhs. During this festival various Sikh people perform their martial art skills in unreal combats. This is celebrated for three days. Big fair is also conducted with festival that is popular for mock battle fights, soldierly competitions, antique exhibitions of weapons, swords and many more.

Amritsar is inhabited by jovial people who like to enjoy every moment of their life. In fact the entire region of Punjab is full of such people who celebrate every single occasion with equal fanfare and zeal. As such the religious fairs, traditional festivals and common events are all attended by the local inhabitants with much vigor.

Fairs and Festivals in Amritsar primarily glorify the religious heritage of the place as a whole.