Top 10 Famous Festivals In Bihar

Chhath Puja is one of the famous and lively festivals of Bihar to pay obeisance to Sun God who is referred to as the source of life and power. Known to take place during the four days in October or November, it is usually marked by fasting, prayer and ritual washing in the holy river such as the Ganga and Yamuna. Surya Shashti is performed during the last day of the festival and God Surya is worshipped to get boons of health, wealth and prosperity. There are special meals and seasonal foods like thekua, khajuri, and kheer which are prepared, people celebrate their family members’ birthdays, and there is, therefore, a lot of devotion.

2. Makar Sankranti

Tila Sankrant is listed as one of Bihar’s 12 ancient festivals and is observed every January when the sun enters Capricorn causing the Makar Sankranti. The festival is also associated with the fliers, together with kites, and sweets which are prepared from sesame seeds and jaggery to share among the family members. Believers immerse themselves in hot water and bring the flowers to the idols. It also marks the onset of the harvest season and has both, cultural and religious implications for people of Bihar.

3. Buddha Jayanti

Vesak or also known as Buddha Purnima is the festival related to the triple gem –birth, enlightenment, and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. Also recognized in April or May, it is a day when Thais pray, meditate and light candles at temples such as Wat Phra Kaew. The most important holiday for Buddhists Some fans visit the town of Bodh Gaya, where the temple of Mahabodhi is located. They include a float from the statue of 80 feet long giant Buddha and from Bodhi tree that celebrates the Buddha’s sermon on non-violence, love, and tolerance.

4. Rajgir Mahotsav

Rajgir Mahotsav the annual festival organized in the last week of October every year at Rajgir, Bihar is a colourful presentation of the art troupes especially dancers and musicians. Beginning from the Bihar Department of Tourism, the three day extravaganza includes traditional Bihar arts, Tha martial arts, tonga racing, painting on mehndi and Mahila Utsav. Event guests come from all corners of the globe and include shows, performing art competitions and more, which showcase Bihar’s history and colorful culture.

5. Sonepur Cattle Fair

Sonepur Cattle fair is perhaps one of the biggest and most important fairs celebrated in India and is held in November on the banks of the River Gandak in Bihar. It has trade with Cattle, Horses, Elephants and Buffaloes, and it is also an important pilgrim center where people take bath in the river and offer prayers in the Hariharnath Temple. A detail of the fair includes Icons of clothes, jewelry and other locally made items also, traditional games, folk music and group dances etc. It gives a colourful picture of the rural Bihar and the historical past of Bihar.

Sama-Chakeva is a festival of the Mithila community of Bihar and Nepal which also celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. Taking place in October or November, the event celebrates the end of summer, and the beginning of autumn. Sisters model and adorn clay birds which are their gods, brothers bring offerings and swear to protect for life. During the festival, the square and surrounding areas are filled with colorful attributes and enrich sound and dance performances, as well as raising the ecological topic each year.

7. Bihula

Bihula is a popular festival occurring in Bhagalpur, Bihar during July or August based on the great tale of Bihula who brought her husband back to life with the assistance of Manasa Devi. Loyals are preferred to go without food for a day in order to receive divine favors from Manasa Devi for their families. The festival also involves works of Manjusha Art, which includes use of colors, music and dance, and gives an indication of Bihar’s cultural endowment.

8. Pitrapaksha Mela

Hindu festival Pitrapaksha Mela is celebrated in Gaya, Bihar, in September is dedicated to the ancestors or the souls of the departed. Loyalism, pilgrims make offerings: Pinda Daan offerings with a presumption of liberating the forefathers from rebirth. This festival is performed to pay homage to the ancestors of the people by pilgrims from all over India visit Gaya to take part in this auspicious event.

9. Madhushravani

The festival of Madhushravani is being celebrated in the month of Sawan or August in all the Mithilanchal region in those families which belong to the Snake God Vishahara and the Family Goddess Gosaun. Wives fast for the health of their husbands, On this day, traditional delicacies such as kheer, ghorjaur, fried vegetables, mangoes, and jackfruits are offered to the deity as Prasad. Married girls live with their parents for 13 days and fast; then call together all other married women and feast on food directed from the husband’s house.

10. Malmas Mela

Religious Bareil Mela: The Malmas Mela, celebrated at Rajgir, Bihar is one of the biggest fairs in India. In the holy month of Malmas (Adhimas) supposed to be residing in Rajgir, myths indicate that there are 33 crore Hindu Gods and Goddesses, and for them the worship is performed. The city is now crowded by tens of thousands of pilgrims who immerse themselves in the fair and wash their sins with natural hot springs.

Conclusion 

Other than the biggest festivals like Chhath Puja and Makar Sankranti there are other significant fests like Ram Navami, Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Vasant Panchami, and Devshayani Ekadashi. These celebrations not only unravel the ethnic and religious tapes of this state but also expose the extent of belief, culture and ethics of people residing there. These colorful festivals are the face of Bihar wherein social fabric can be seen with its rich tradition come alive each year.