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Fairs in Birbhum
Fairs in Birbhum, West Bengal are interesting avenues portraying attractive features of the regional culture and heritage of this Indian state through numerous kinds of handicrafts displayed in the fair, which also involve various folk songs and dances.

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Fairs in BirbhumFairs in Birbhum comprise the numerous `melas` which are organised in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, particularly in Birbhum District. Tiny towns are located in this Indian district wherein makeshift markets are held during certain days of the week. Various types of artefacts of cottage industry and agricultural products are sold to customers in such markets. It is said that the numerable fairs of Birbhum are a unique extension of these markets, which witnesses a large conglomeration of national and global travellers and is an interesting venue of cultural and social exchange. Some of the most renowned fairs of Birbhum include `Poush Mela` at Santiniketan, `Kenduli Mela`, `Shivaratri Mela` and `Magh Mela` at Sriniketan are amongst the many regional fair of this part of this country.

Poush Mela in Birbhum
The Poush Mela observed in Santiniketan in Birbhum is an annual festival and fair which commemorates the season of agricultural harvests, starting during the 7th day of the `Poush` month which constitutes the period around December. This fair lasts for three days. The main features of Poush Mela are the `baul` songs which are sung by the wondering minstrels of West Bengal or `bauls` which represent Bengali folk music and more than 1, 500 stalls are installed at the fair. These stalls exhibit regionally printed fabrics and several types of local handicrafts.

Kenduli Mela in Birbhum
A popular `baul mela`, known as Kenduli Mela is organised in Birbhum, named after the reputed Bengali poet Jaidev, at a region called `Jaydev Kenduli` during `Makar Sankranti`. Kenduli Mela is celebrated in winter season during January, commencing from the final day of Poush month of the Bengali calendar. The fair is well-known for its huge assembly of vast quantity of bauls who deliver wonderful performances of their famous folk songs or baul music accompanied by their special musical instrument known as `ektara`. The bauls have been honoured by the UNESCO by their inclusion in the list of `Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity`. Many kinds of regional artefacts are displayed at the Kenduli Mela and visitors must taste the delectable cuisine of Birbhum which is available here.

Chaitra Sankranti Mela in Birbhum
During `Chaitra Sankranti`, a great fair or mela is arranged on the concluding day of the month of `Chaitra` as per the Bengali calendar. The fair continues for a period of three days at the region of Kankalitala and attracts innumerable devotees which gather at Patharchapuri. The death anniversary of `Data Saheb` is marked by the Chaitra Sankranti Mela.

Fairs in Birbhum Dharmaraj Puja Mela in Birbhum
The Dharmaraj Mela is conducted on the occasion of Buddha Purnima in the village of Kaddang and apart from this place they are held at other regions like Kurmitha village during Asarhi Purnima, Kandapur village on the day of Shravai Purnima and Banashanka village on Buddha Purnima day.

Shivaratri Fair in Birbhum
Birbhum`s Shivaratri Mela is held at Dabuk and possesses the tallest temple of Lord Shiva in the entire district. A great Brahmadaitya Mela is organised during 1st Magh, particularly on the banks of Ramsagar near Dheka. A fair for Shivaratri in the month of `Falgun` is observed at Kaleshwar which continues for a week.

Chandidas Mela in Birbhum
Chandidas Mela is an annual fair which is celebrated during full moon or `dol purnima`, on the banks of Dontapukur, Nanoor, to commemorate Dwija Chandidas as well as `Rajakini Tami`. Originally, the fair used to be arranged close to the Bisalkshi Temple.

Shiva Gajan Mela in Birbhum
Being a three-day fair, the Shiva Gajan fair is celebrated at the region of Lebrashwar in various local villages including Rongaipur, Parui, Katna and other villages.

Brahmaditya Mela in Birbhum
Inhabitants of these villages observe the `Brahmaditya Puja` with the aide of various kinds of grand fairs which are organised in different portions of Birbhum District. The fair is celebrated in the initial part of `Magh` month.

Other Fairs in Birbhum
Birbhum witnesses a range of numerous fairs which are immensely popular. During Muharram and Shab-e-Baraat, Medini Mela is held near Khustagiri and special significance is laid on the requirements of rural womenfolk in this fair. At Langulia village, the Urs fair is conducted on 15th Falgun near Suri Police Station and at Rajnagar during 23rd Falgun. Fairs are also observed for `Goshtaastami` and `Ratha Yatra` at Birchandrapur which is about 8 kms away from Tarapith and a crucial spot of Vaishnava pilgrimage. In `Magh` month, the `Aradhanar Mela` is held on the birth anniversary of Nrityananda. During Buddha Purnima, a fair is held at Suganpur on the banks of Mayurakshi River in the month of `Baisakh` and it lasts for three months. Urs fair of Malang Zakaria Pir occurs on 22nd or 23rd Poush at Tildanga and at Bara village near Lohapur is existent Lohajang Saheb Pirer Mela which is held on 2nd till 20th Magh.

Fairs in Birbhum During the initial days of Poush month, a fair is organised in reverence of Sasan Kali at Bumkotala, at the western side of Rampurhat and the dances of Santhals are the key characteristic of this fair. In Nalhati Police Station is organised the Chaitra Sankranti fair on the banks of Brahmani River. Sri Gopaler Mela is conducted on Dol, at Kaluha village and Banbater Mela continues for seven days commencing on the day after Saraswati Puja at the area of Kurugram. During Basanti Puja another fair is held which lasts for a week at Rudranagar and various regional objects are displayed in this fair. On the occasion of Kali Puja, a fair is held for about 10 or 15 days at Jajigram.

Abhedananda Mela is organised by Sri Sri Ramakrishna Ashram at Dubraipur in the month of December. The Netaji Subhas Mela is organised for 10 days starting from 1st Magh and a three-day fair is arranged during Saraswati Puja at Hetampur.


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