October, besides ushering in the festivals of Dussehra, Durga Puja and Diwali, has always been the harbinger of celebrations in the forms of fairs and autumn festivals to the Doon valley, as founder's day festivities of schools like Doon and Welham. These celebrations carry on till Christmas and the New Year.
"Virasat", the mega-cultural festival, which is organised in the valley every autumn by REACH, will begin around October 15 and conclude on November 1. It is being looked forward to by people not only of Doon but of Mussoorie, Rishikesh and other surrounding areas of the valley. Tourists also participate in large numbers as audiences at Virasat, which brings artistes and craftspersons together from all parts of the country.
During this time, cultural fairs, trade fairs, Dussehra and Diwali Melas, Sharadotsavs, Founder's day fetes keep people entertained and happy. Preparations are on for various fairs at the Parade Ground, which bring in Angora wool shawls and sweaters from Kumaon and a wide range of Herbal products, handicrafts and clay items. "Sharadotsavs" (Autumn Festivals) will be held in Nainital, Mussoorie and Pithoragarh. The Nainital fest will begin on October 20. These festivities attract a large number of tourists after months of rain in the hills.
Most melas, which used to be held in the Rangers' College grounds, are now held at Parade Ground, which is now to Doon what the Pragati Maidan is to Delhi. People look forward to the Diwali Mela as it gives them a variety of items to select from for their Diwali shopping. Diyas made of clay and ornamental lamps and a range of buntings are very popular in this mela besides colourful and perfumed candles from Nainital.
While the "melas" carry on, the Doon School, Welham Girls' School, Welham Boys' and Riverdale High School in the valley are busy preparing for their founder's day events which will be held soon. Schoolchildren from various schools gather at the "fetes' and "theatre performances' which are part of the founder's celebrations and enjoy themselves thoroughly before getting down to serious studies in November. Intermingling among children from all schools creates an atmosphere of gaiety and joy which is enhanced by the air of festivity brought by Diwali.
Mussoorie's grand annual "Autumn Fest" (Sharadotsav) sees a "Shobha Yatra' passing through landour, Picture Palace, Kulri Bazaar and reaches Gandhi Chowk via the Mall Road. Cultural troupes from various parts of the country participate in the yatra. Sports events, a fashion show, qawaali night, folk songs of Garhwal and Kumaon and Punjabi Pop music are usual highlights of the fest.
"Virasat", held at the ONGC grounds, has been enchanting Doonites as well as tourists for the past two decades and has grown into a "Mecca" of art and culture for artistes, scholars, craftspersons, poets and art lovers. In fact, a large number of people from other parts of the State visit Doon specially during the 14-day fest every year.
It is heartening to see that in these days when people prefer technology as a source of entertainment and one would have thought that "melas" were outdated, huge crowds arrive at all these events mentioned above. On Sundays and other holidays, it appears that half of the valley's population is at the Parade Ground. Since the seventies, these events have been extremely popular. The Diwali mela and Basant Mela were two events that were the most popular at Ranger's College grounds in those days.
Such fairs and fests showcase the local hill products and encourage craftspersons from various parts of the country to participate on a large scale .They provide the much needed outdoor fun to the people and create a platform for social interaction. Doon could be called a valley of fairs and fests. The Christmas Mela in December is another star event in this series. January brings in the well-known handloom fair. It's only in the peak summer and the monsoon when the melas are not held. long live the Mela Culture of this beautiful valley!