Gauchar – A Hilly town located in Karanprayag Tehsil of Chamoli district in the Uttarakhand State of India. Gauchar is famous for Gauchar fair and Gauchar Airport. The Gauchar valley is also known as the Valley of Flat Land, located on the left bank of river Alaknanda. Gauchar lies between Rudraprayag and Karanprayag on Badrinath route NH58. Gauchar is surrounded by 7 hills. Gauchar is well known for a historic trade fair known as Gauchar Mela.
About Gauchar Mela
The Gauchar Mela is a cultural and traditional fair held annually in the Gauchar town of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand It is one of the largest and oldest fairs in the state. Every year thousands of people visit Gauchar Mela and this cultural and trade fair is held between 14 November to 20 November.
Gauchar Mela is a cultural and trade-related fair that has been held for decades in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Gauchar Mela of Uttarakhand is a great attraction point for local people and other traders all around the state. The Gauchar fair is held on the 14 of November every year. This fair is a trade and industrial fair, where traders from different states come to Gauchar to sell their products. The fair holds 2 types of themes: sports and cultural activities. Sports activities are done in the daytime and cultural activities are held in the evening, in which different schools participate and win prizes.
See the below video of Gauchar mela 2023, we will create a new video of Gauchar Mela 2024 this year and will update it.
History of Gauchar Fair
Gauchar mela is a historic trade fair held on the 14th of November every year in the Gauchar town of Chamoli district. Gauchar town falls en route to Badrinath temple. The first version of Gauchar Mela was organized in the year 1943, so you can imagine how historic this fair is. This fair was established between India and Tibet to increase trade. Gauchar Mela is one of the attraction points and hundreds and thousands of people visit Gauchar every year on the occasion of Gauchar Mela. There are many other places near Gauchar you can consider visiting.
At that time, the trade was one-sided and carried by the Bhotias(in amount), who inhabited the frontiers of Chamoli Garhwal. But in winter the whole region is covered by heavy snow due to the high altitude and these people migrate to lower regions(Joshimath)in winter for 6 months.
The fair helped Bhotia people to sell their woolen clothes, handicrafts, spices(Faran the famous spice) and other stuff and buy the raw materials for the next summer trade across the Indo-Tibetan borders. It was not only a local fair or fair between the peoples of Uttarakhand and Bhotia, people from all over north Indian states like Uttar Pradesh(UP), and Punjab attended it.
After India’s independence (165 August 1947) Gauchar Mela was organized by the UP government and in 2000 Uttaranchal was separated from UP after that the fair was organized by the Uttarakhand government as an industrial, cultural, and development fair. It is the biggest fair in the region for the promotion of trade and culture. All the departments of the state government participate in this annual event and showcase their agricultural methods and techniques.
Attractions at Gauchar Mela
One of the primary attractions of the Gauchar Mela is the trading of pahadi items, clothes, toys, pahadi vegetables and many more. This fair is so old and it has been 73 years since this fair was organized.
Apart from trading, the Gauchar Mela also features a variety of cultural events and entertainment. Traditional folk music and dance performances, along with local cuisine stalls, add to the festive atmosphere. Visitors can indulge in delicious Garhwali dishes and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Importance of Gauchar Mela
The Gauchar Mela holds significant economic and cultural importance for the people of Garhwal. It provides an opportunity for farmers, local peoples of the region and district and traders to showcase and sell their items Additionally, the fair serves as a platform for preserving and promoting traditional practices and customs that have been passed down through generations.
Overall, the Gauchar Mela is not just a marketplace but a celebration of the vibrant rural life and cultural heritage of Uttarakhand. It attracts locals and tourists alike, offering a unique glimpse into the agricultural and cultural traditions of the Garhwal region.