Uttarayani Mela and Festival held at Bageshwar in
Uttarakhand during Makar Sankranti is one of the largest fair in the Kumaun
region. The fair is organized for a week during the second week of January. In
2024, the Uttarayani Mela and Festival is on January 15. Important pujas and
rituals are held on this day.
The rituals on the day are dedicated to Surya, the sun god.
Thousands of people attend the fair. The most important aspect of the festival
is the trade that takes place during the period.
Numerous rare produce from the high mountains like furs, yak
tails, musk, borak, dry fruits, fresh fruits etc are traded by Bhotiyas and
other hill people. Animals like ponies, goats and sheep are also traded during
the fair.