Art and culture of uttar pradesh
The culture of Uttar Pradesh is painted in the form of folk dances, conventional cuisines, long imparted values and traditions. It draws a large number of tourists worldwide because of the historic cities, rustic ancient forts, bustling markets and vibrant culture. Other than the folk music, dance, art and craft, people of Uttar Pradesh are known to adhere to their rich cultural heritage and traditional norms. They also take pride to be the first to introduce the two great epics- Ramayan and Mahabharat to the world. The state also has a plethora of fairs and festivals that adds to the charm and charisma of the state.
Fairs and Festivals of uttar pradesh
Deva Mela
Deva mela, Barabanki is annually held at Deva, 10 km. from Barabanki at the revered shrine of the Haji Waris Ali Shah. Held in months of October and November, Deva mela at Barabanki show-cases the spirit of communal harmony in Uttar Pradesh and India.
Deva mela, Barabanki features games, music, poetry conferences and great shopping opportunities. But it is fundamentally a religious fair, and attracts devotees from all over India, Pakistana and from parts of the Middle East as well. Deva mela, Barabanki is primarily a Muslim religious occasion. The Urs or commemoration of the sacred shrine of the Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah is attended by devoted Muslims from every corner of India. The fact that it attracts devotees in great numbers from the neighboring countries, provides great opportunities for each visitor interaction with the neighboring brethren.
The feeling of peace and harmony is predominant. Because of its pomp and color, Deva mela of Barabanki attracts many non-Muslims as well. As such, the fair ground becomes a site of communal harmony and national unity which represents the very spirit of India.
A cattle fare is the highlight of Deva mela, Barabanki. There are games like volleyball, hockey and athletics held daily. They add much to the excitement of the people who gather at the fair grounds. musical conferences, poetic conferences and many other cultural events that add to the attraction of Barabanki’s Deva mela. Many shops are set up to commemorate the occasion. These shops, which are beautifully illuminated at night, provide great vibrancy to the fair ground along with shopping opportunities to the visitors. Many sell authentic handicrafts made by the master craftspersons of Uttar Pradesh at Deva mela, Barabanki. The fair ends on a high note with a great exhibition of fireworks on the final night.
Holi
Holi marks the onset of spring. It is celebrated with colors and great spirit.Holi in Uttar Pradesh is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.As the legend goes, Hiranya Kashyap, the demon ruler of the ‘Sapta Deep’ used to think that he was more powerful than God. He attempted to murder his youngest son Prahlad, who had deep faith on Lord Vishnu. This was because the child refused to acknowledge him to be mightier than the God. Holika, the sister of the demon, who had a divine garment which would save her from fire, entered the burning pyre along with Prahlad on her lap. But she got burnt.
Holi thereby marks the triumph of good over evil and is celebrated with grand extravaganza throughout Uttar Pradesh. The Indian mythological tale tells us that Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, in human form celebrated holi with the Gopi’s (cowherd maids). To commemorate this tradition with honor, in Braj, holi celebrations continues for more than a week.
Rambarat
The marriage procession of Sri Ram is held every year during Ramlila celebrations at Agra. Every year a new locale of the town is chosen as Janakpuri, which is elaborately decorated to perform the royal wedding. The Rambarat (marriage procession) starts from Lala Channomaiji Id Baradari for Janakpuri passing through different parts of the town. The barat is a large procession of Jhankis followed by the swaroops of Ram-Lakshman mounted on elephants.
Janamashtami
Janmashtami is a festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated in its highest form in Mathura and Brindavan in Uttar Pradesh. On Janmashtami, the Mathura and the Brindavan in Uttar Pradesh rejoices with the commemoration of the lord of the universe, Lord Krishna. He took his birth in Mathura on the very day on which we celebrate the Janmashtami. Brindavan was the place where he spent his younger days with the gopis. This is the place where he used to be with Radhika. Till now the people of these two places are unbelievable admirers of the age-old hero. They celebrate Janmashtami or his birthday with unending enthusiasm and happiness.
Kailash Fair
Kailash fair, Agra in Uttar Pradesh is a colorful carnival. India is a land of fairs and festivals which are always celebrated with a huge enthusiasm. A visit to Kailash fair, Agra will give you the scope of witnessing one of the biggest and most popular festivals in India. The Kailash fair is held at Kailash which lies at a distance of hardly 12 kilometers from Agra. The Kailash fair, Agra is known to be celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. As the legend goes, Lord Shiva himself came to this sacred place in the disguise of a stone lingam. This has an immense value to the devotees who firmly believe in such legends. They think that the Lord is always there in the lingam and are listening to all of their prayers. You will be astonished to know that there are thousands of them who gather here with the belief that all their wishes will be fulfilled in the Kailash fair of Agra.
The whole thing together makes the Kailash fair, Agra a spectacular event. Not only the temples but all the streets are decorated often with colorful papers. Numerous temporary shops are set which sell toys, foods, sweets, ornaments and many more things. The Kailash fair in Agra is celebrated every year in the months of August and September. So next year make it a point to witness the great fair.
Bateshwar Fair
Situated at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river Yamuna, Bateshwar is an important spiritual and cultural centre. The place is named after the presiding deity of the region, Bateshwar Mahadeo and has 108 temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. During the months of Oct. & Nov. a large fair is organized from Shashthi of Kartik month to Panchami of Agrahayan month. Devotees congregate here in large numbers to worship Lord Shiva and take holy dips in river Yamuna. A livestock fair is also organized and owners and buyers conduct serious business combined with the gaiety of a market place.
Ramnavami Mela
Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama. It is usually celebrated in the month of Chaitra according to the Indian calender which generally corresponds to the March or April of the English calendar.
Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya is the testimonial of love, faith and devotion of the people in the state for their great hero Ramchandra, the central character of the Indian epic Ramayana. The Ramnavami Mela, Ayodhya is dedicated to Lord Rama.
Kartik Poornima
Varanasi is the land of festivals. Kartik Poornima celebrated in the month of November, is the sacred day, when the ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of brightly lit earthen lamps. Visitors throng in large numbers to watch this spectacular event, famous as Dev Deepawali. Lolark Shasthi, Dala Chhath, Rang Bhari Ekadasi, Burhwa Mangal and Annakut are among the other important festive occasions for Varanasi.
Kumbh Mela
The month long Kumbh Mela of Allahabad is one of the largest fairs of the world and is attended by millions of pilgrims from all over India as well as the devout from the world over. Maha Kumbh is held after a gap of twelve years where as Ardha Kumbh is held in the Sixth year after Maha Kumbh, in the months of January-February, on the banks of the holy confluence (Sangam) of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela is generally held every three years in rotation at Allahabad, Hardwar, Ujjain and Nasik. The period of Kumbh Mela is Magh (Jan-Feb) month of Hindu calendar.
Traditional Dresses of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is mostly a state of two sects- Hindus and Muslims. The traditional costume of the women of Uttar Pradesh is a sari and a blouse or salwar kameez. The men opt for dhoti kurta or kurta pyjama. They also wear pagri or topi on their heads. On more festive occasions, men go for sherwani- which is an embroidered kurta with churidars. Women wear lehenga choli on formal occasions which is an embroidered long skirt with a blouse and a long scarf known as odhani. This is the unique costume of the women of Uttar Pradesh. They also adorn themselves in accessories including gold chains, necklaces, rings, bangles, trinkets, tiaras and anklets etc.
Food of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is a home to a variety of cuisines, most famous of which are Awadhi cuisines and Mughal cuisines, very popular in Lucknow. The delicious food is supposed to be a hereditary of the ruling Mughals. The most sought-after dishes include – dum biryani, dum Gosht and Nahari, which is slow cooked overnight and sealed in large pots. In the northern Uttar Pradesh, which includes Meerut, Moradabad, Mathura etc. ? the staple food includes kachori, Aloo curry and the very regular dal, roti and rice. Petha is a very famous sweet dish available in the state and owes its authenticity to the city of Agra. Among the drinks, people prefer lassi, chaas and roohafza.
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