Fairs or Festivals of Varanasi present a peculiar phase of the social life of the people. These festivals usually associated with religion. Their origin can be, in every case, traced to certain religious ceremonies performed in the ancient times. These festivals are celebrated with much enthusiasm and vigour.

Navaratri Fair: It is held at Durga Kund during the first nine days of the month of Chaitra. In this sheep and goats are offered for sacrifice.

Gangaur Fair: It is held at Rajmandira Ghat, on the 3rd day of Chait. It is celebrated by Marwadis and Deswalis, the people from the territory of Jeypore

Narsimha Chaudas Fair: It is held in the Bara Ganesha Mahalla on the 14th day of Baisakh. This mela is held in honour of Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Gazi Miyan Mela: It is held at the Gazi Miyan Dargah, Bakariya Kund, on the 1st Sunday in Jeth. This is a Mohammedan festival, celebrated in honour of the nephew of the celebrated Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni.

Snan Jatra Fair: It is held at Assi Ghat, at the temple of Lord Jagannath, on the 15th day of Jeth. On this day the idol of Jagannath is bathed, and in the evening it is exhibited to the devotees.

Rath Jatra Fair: It is held in the garden of Pandit Beni Earn, on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th days of Asarh. The idol of Jagannath is brought out of the temple and placed upon a Rath for three successive days.

Sankudhara Fair: It is held at the Sankudhara Tank, which is also called the Dwaraka teerth. It is thought to be sacred to bathe in this tank on this day.

Briddhkal Fair: It is held in the Briddhkal Mahalla near the temple of Briddhkal every Sunday in the month of Sawan.

Durga Fair: It is held at Durga Kund or Tank, every Tuesday in the month of Sawan.

Fatima Fair: It is held at the Dargah of Fatima, every Thursday in the month of Sawan.

Nag Panchami Fair: It is held at Nag Kuan or Serpent`s well, on the fifth day of Sawan. People worship the snakes as a security against snakebites

Kajri Fair: It is held at Sankudhara, and also at Iswar gangi, on the 3rd day of Bhadon. This festival was started by Raja of Kantit, in the district of Mirzapore for the women. The fair is held during the months of Sawan and Bhadon. On these days women fast, and bathe in groups.

Bhela Chauth Fair: It is held at Bara Ganesha, on the 4th day of Bhadon. The Hindus fast on this day, in honour of the Lord Ganesha, and visit his temple in crowds.

Bawan Dwadasi Fair: It is held at Chitrakot and Barna Sangam Ghat, on the 12th day of Bhadon.

Anant Chaudas Fair: It is held at Ramnagar, on the 14th day of Bhadon. This is a private fast day. On this day the great festival of the Ram Lila begins at Ramnagar.

Suraya Fair: It is held at Lakshmi Kund or Tank from the 8th of Bhadoi Sudi to the 8th day of the waning moon of Kuar.

Ramlila Fair: It is held at Chitrakoot, and in many other places, from the 8th day of the waning moon of Kuar to the 15th day of Kuar Sudi. This festival consists of a public dramatic exhibition of Lord Rama.

Dhanteras Fair: It is held at Thatheri Bazar and Chaukhambha, on the loth day of the waning moon of Kartik. On this day the people worship Dhan or Wealth, at night. Costly metal pots and pans are sold on this day. Vessels of brass, copper, and other metals are also sold. The shops are beautifully illuminated. It is customary, for the people to the wealthy class to buy metal vessels in the Thatheri Bazar.

Hanuman Jayanti Fair: It is held at Mir Ghat, and in the Bhadami Ward, in the month of Kartik, on the 14th day of the moon. The Monkey god, Lord Hanuman, is believed to have been born on this night.

Yamadwitiya Fair: It is held at Jam Ghat, on the 2nd day of Kartik. This festival is associated with the mutual love and attachment of Yama and his sister Yami. Thus, on this day brothers receive the tilak or religious symbol affixed to the forehead from their sisters.

Kartik Purnima Fair: It is held at the Panchganga Ghat, on the last day of Kartik. During the whole of this month it is regarded as holy to bathe at this ghat.

Panchkosi Fair: It is held at Sivpur on the 7th and 8th of the moon in Agrahan. The pilgrimage occupies the road along the Panchkosi road, or sacred boundary of Varanasi, for five days. On the fourth day people from the city go out to meet the pilgrims at this place. They join with them in merry making.

Lota bhanta Fair: It is held at Pisach Mochan Kund, on the 14th day of Margh Shirsha. People hailing from the city and from the neighbouring villages bathe here in Pisach Mochan Kund.

Ganesha Chauth Fair: It is held at the temple of Bara Ganesha, on the 4th day of the declining moon in Magha. The temple of Bara Ganesha, the god of learning, is visited on this day.

Ved Vyas Fair: It is held at the Fort and in the Tank at Bamnagar, on every Monday of Magha. The temple of Ved Vyas, the compiler of the Vedas, is situated within the Maharaja of Varanasi Fort at Bamnagar.

Shivaratri Fair: It is held at the Visheswar and Baijnath Temples, on the 14th day of the declining moon in Phalgun. A general fast is kept in honour of Lord Shiva.

Buthawa Mangal Fair: It is held on the river Ganges, the following Tuesday after the Holi Festival. Earlier the people visited Durga Temple on the first Tuesday following the Holi. Later Raja Cheit Singh added to the celebration this Buthawa Mangal Fair. On this occasion, many inhabitants of the city spend the night on the river in large boats. These boats ate beautifully decorated where dancing and singing go on for hours. The festival continues till the evening of Wednesday. It was originally known as Buddhuwa Mangal but is now known as Burwa Mangal.

Dangal Fair: It is held at the temple of Lord Jagannath and at Ramnagar, on the Thursday following the Burwa Mangal. It is also a singing and dancing festival.

Dhrupad Fair: It is a five days music festival of Dhrupad performed by renowned artistes at Tulsi Ghat.