Uttarayani Mela Bageshwar

The Uttarayani Mela at Bageshwar is a historic fair dating back centuries, held at the sacred confluence (Bageshwar Sangam) of the Saryu and Gomti rivers. The fair begins on Makar Sankranti (January 14) and continues for several days. It was historically significant as the largest trading fair in the Kumaon hills where goods from Tibet and the plains were exchanged. The fair also has deep political history - during the freedom movement, the Coolie Begar abolition movement was organized here in 1921. Thousands of devotees take a holy dip at the sangam. The fair features folk music, dance performances, local handicrafts, and traditional Kumaoni cuisine stalls.