Antarved Doab · Upper Indus–Gangetic Plain
Festivals
| Festival | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Magh Mela and the Kumbh | Magh (January–February) annually; Ardh Kumbh every six years, Kumbh every twelve | A city of tents, roads, pontoon bridges and electricity is built on the confluence sands each January and taken down in March. At full Kumbh it holds one of the largest gatherings of people anywhere in the world, organised around a fixed order of bathing days and processions by the akharas. |
| Kanwar Yatra | Sawan (July–August) | Pilgrims walk from Haridwar carrying Ganga water on shoulder poles to Shiva temples across the Doab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. Tens of millions take part, and the northbound roads are given over to them for a fortnight. |
| Nauchandi Mela | The Sunday after Holi, running for several weeks | Meerut's month-long fair, held on a ground where a Devi temple and the dargah of Bale Miyan stand side by side and the two observances run together. A cattle and trade fair with a mushaira and a kavi sammelan. |
| Kartik Purnima at Garhmukteshwar and Soron | Kartik (November) | Mass bathing, a cattle fair and a boat market on the Ganga ghats. |
| Ramlila and Dussehra | Ashwin (September–October) | Neighbourhood Ramlila cycles in every town, ending with the burning of effigies at the maidan. |
| Holi and the Doab phag | Phalgun (March) | Played in the Braj manner in the western districts and more plainly elsewhere, with swang and ragini performances through the following week. |
| Basant Panchami and the cane season's close | Magh (January–February) | Yellow clothing, kite flying and the last of the crushing season; also the day the Magh Mela's second major bathing falls. |
The festival calendar of Antarved Doab — what is celebrated, when it falls and what happens. (7)