CONCEPTS AND PARADIGMS

ASSESSMENT 4

How the Mela Grounds have influenced the society and explain it with traditional paradigm.
India with her 5000 years culture and heritage nourishes these fairs and festivals to depth, importance and
colour. Fairs and festivals are the heart of Indian social cultural life. Fairs are the vibrant part of the Indian
society, the celebration brings together rituals, culture, traditions, religions, history festivities. Fairs and
festivals are the window to true colours of India. There are various types of fairs –
Religious fairs --Animal worship fairs
Monsoon fair --Historical fair
Changing season fair--Cultural fair
All these are combination of vivid elements retail, food, life style, entertainment, amusement, peace, power,
artistic performances and activities, prayers and rituals. India has diversity of fairs.
Impact on Indian community
This have direct and indirect impacts on communities. They provide opportunities for participation, skills
development, volunteering and social, cultural, economic and environmental developments.
Economic Impacts
Its influences on society are - increase in opportunities for short and long term employment, number of hotels,
income of residents, Opportunity for shopping, Increase in general price of goods and services and the cost of
land and housing. It ultimately increased demand for local items and handicraft items, leading to more varied
production and better income for the local traders.
Social Impact
At time of the celebration there is integrity among the people and Togetherness, they mix with each other they
forget their cast, religion. It gives chance to spend time with our family and friends, neighbours. To exchange
their idea, culture. This Improves their standard of living make them more aware and relaxed happy.
Cultural Impact
Culture has its own customs and practices, which may have lost their significance in modern times. It is here
that fairs play an essential role in presenting their specific identity in front of the world. For people it is an
opportunity to explore and discover a culture, which is unique examples could ne folk dance, music, arts,
heritage and special character of a place.
Entertainment Impact
Fairs are also celebrated for entertaining purposes, relatives and family friends gather at one place and enjoy.
They give the much needed break from our day to day life to regain full efficiency in our social and
professional life. People celebrate and forget all the tensions of daily life which make us feel alive and happier.
Tourism Impact
These fairs have their own charm to attract tourists, both domestic as well as foreign. The social and cultural
impacts of tourism are the way in which tourism is contributing to change in value system, individual
behaviour, family relationship, life style, safety level, religion, language, personal relationship. The tourist
promotion activities not only provide enjoyment to the tourists,and exposes them to the cultural tradition of
India but also create employment and earn valuable foreign exchange. The development in socio economic
development of the area as well as preservation of national heritage and environment.
Types of Fairs – Examples of Fairs
Fairs are divided into 4 parts –
National level – State level – City level – Neighbourhood level
National Level Fairs
Khumbh Mela: It is a very big fair and the largest gathering of Hindu pilgrims, celebrated every twelve years
at four holy places Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. “More than 120 million (12 crore)
people visited this event for the celebration and religious practices
The Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan: It had earlier begun as a means for trade in the deserts of the state, has now
been popularised as a world-famous cattle fair. Hundreds of herders descend upon Pushkar in the state of
Rajasthan for the five-day annual camel fair. The festival attracts 300,000 people and up to 20,000 camels,
cattle and horses.
Surajkund International Crafts Mela : The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana
Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. At least
20 countries & all the states of India will be participating in the Mela. a celebration of Indian folk traditions
and cultural heritage.
The Rann Utsav of Kutch: Every year during winter for three month as a part of Gujarat Tourism and Kutch
Tourism a Govt. of Gujarat decided to set up a Tent City Near white Rann. During Kutch Festival thousands
of people gathers to witness Rann of Kutch festival or Kutch Rann utsav to see Kutch attractions or sightseeing
places of Kutch.
State Level Fairs
The Navratri festival is the most important fair of Gujarat, west Bengal , jammu . Navratri is celebrated to
worship the Goddess Durga. It is essentially a nine day festival where different nine forms of the DeviDurga
(Goddess) are worshipped. The festival is generally celebrated two times in a year (April and October). it is a
time of religious reflection and fasting; for others it is a time for dancing and feasting.
Gangasagar Mela: Gangasagar pilgrimage and fair is the second largest congregation of mankind after the
holy Kumbha Mela. The big religious fair held annually where the holy river Gange meet the Bay of Bengal
in West Bengal.
Hemis Gompa Fair- Ladakh: This two-day celebration will indicate Buddhist master Padmasambhava’s birth
anniversary.
Sonepur Mela Bihar :It is a cattle fair held always on the full moon in the month of November. It is celebrated
on the banks of Gandak and holy river Ganga. Sonepur is one of a unique religious Mela in India. Hathi bazar
is the famous pilgrim and tourist attraction here in Sonepur Mela.
City Level Fairs
Rath Yatra of Puri –Jaganthpuri
Gangaur Festival-jaipur
Baneshwar fair- Rajasthan

Neighbouhood Level Fairs

Dussehra
Diwali
Id ul fitr
Activities at Fairs
 The festival also includes music performances and competitions such as the ‘matka phod’, ‘longest
moustache’ and ‘bridal competition’.
 The Food Court 'Haveli' in the Mela premises dons a new look.
 Amusement and adventure activities ensuring that the Mela offers entertainment for all age groups.
 Souvenirs and valuable items like handcrafted articles, silverware, Camel Cart Ride
 Shopping Activity Area - Bandhini Sarees , Handraft Items & many more traditional items.
 Kids Zone Area
 Gaming Zone,Rides
 Spa Centre
 Yoga & Meditation Centre
 Adventurous Activity on Chargeable basis - Parasailing , Dirt Biking ,
 Cultural Dance Performance
 Live Music Concerts
 Special Cultural Dance Shows - Garba , Dandiya Raas

SUBMITTED BY : GAURIKA GROVER

06-09-2019