Purnagiri Mela

Purnagiri Mela is held during Chaitra Navratri (March/April) at the renowned Purnagiri Temple situated atop Purnagiri hill in the Champawat district near Tanakpur. The temple is one of the 108 Siddh Peeths and is believed to be where the navel of Goddess Sati fell. During the nine-day Navratri period, lakhs of devotees undertake the steep 3 km trek from the base to the temple. The fair at the base of the hill features religious gatherings, cultural programs, folk performances, and numerous shops. Devotees from Uttarakhand, UP, Nepal, and other states participate. The night-time trek illuminated by oil lamps and flashlights is a spectacular sight.