Fairs and festivals are an important part of lives of the people of Uttaranchal. The fairs are a place to socialize and meet people and do business. Jauljibi and Thal are such popular fairs celebrated in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Both these fairs were started in November 1914 and since then they are set up every year. The Jauljibi fair is held at the convergence point of rives Kali and Gori. The region is supposed to the halfway meeting point between Tibet and Terai region.
Celebration Time
Jauljibi fair is held in the month of February on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti near the Kali and Gori River delta, 68 kms from Pithoragarh. The Thal fair is held in the month of April on the day of Baisakh Sankranti in the Thal village grounds.
Communion of Diverse Societies
Three diverse societies of the Kumaunis, the Nepalese and the Shaukas meet and trade things such as cereals, food-grains, ghee (clarified butter), leather, jaggery and woolen products but the main trade remains of pure bred and sturdy horses. To pass time and entertain themselves, cultural programs of song, dance and cuisine are also held. It can be very educational experience regarding their daily lives for an outsider. People come from as far as Tibet to participate in these two fairs since the place of Jauljibi and Thal is believed to significant places of Johar, Darma, Chaudans and Byans.
Origin
Both the fairs started in the year 1914 and they have been continuing to this day uninterrupted.
