Art and Craft

Craft

Culture

Festivals
-Seasonal Fairs
-Mythical Fairs
-Fairs Honouring Holy
Saints
-Melas Connected with
Festivals

The fairs or melas of Punjab are linked with its culture and reflect by and large the various phases of its life. They are synonymous with joy and gaiety; and in the countryside where the life follows a hard routine, nothing is more welcome to the people than the prospect of a festival. A rural mela in Punjab has a great significance. It is not just an occasion for festivity and mass gathering but it is an unbounded expression of the spirit of the inner freedom, of creative pride, of zest for life, and of colorful traditions of the people of Punjab.

Seasonal Fairs These fairs are devoted to seasons only. There is a spirit of gay abandon in the air and the Punjabi is rightly infected with the spirit. His heart and soul become one with nature and he expresses his elevated spirit in song and dance.More....

Mythical Fairs Many fairs in the Punjab are held near the tombs and shrines of pirs. These fairs must have originated in a spirit of devotion to those bygone saints and sages. The most famous among such fairs are the Chhapar fair, the Jarag fair, and the Roshni fair of Jagranyan. More....

Fairs Honouring Holy Saints Great saints have played an important role in moulding the life of the people in Punjab. Today, fairs or melas are commemorated in their honour. It is believed that they had healing powers and those suffering from maladies will be cured if he propitiates the pir at the shrine and offers rots (large sweet cakes) specially cooked. More...

Melas Connected with Festivals Most of the popular festivals of Punjab with fairs, are held at various places. The mood is upbeat and there is gaiety in the air. The joy of the energetic Punjabis is manifest in the strenuous folk dance, the Bhangra. More....