Events in Dehradun include the annual Jhanda Fair at Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib, the Shivratri gathering at Tapkeshwar Temple and the Sunday fair at Laxman Siddha. Their recurring patterns can help you plan a visit, but check the relevant official information before setting out because confirmed dates and event hours are not provided for particular editions.
- Jhanda Fair: held annually at Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib, with sources differing on whether it falls on the fifth or sixth day after Holi.
- Tapkeshwar Mela: takes place at the temple on Shivratri.
- Laxman Siddha Fair: held every Sunday, with the last Sunday of April especially significant.
- Tapkeshwar and Laxman Siddha have access by public transport described by the district administration.
Jhanda Fair at Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib
Jhanda Fair is an annual celebration at the historic Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib in Dehradun, marked by the hoisting of a new flag.
The fair commemorates Guru Ram Rai’s birthday and arrival in Doon. The Darbar Sahib says the Jhanda Ji has been hoisted annually since Samvat 1733 (1676 AD). As the fair begins, a new Jhanda is put up on the staff in the historic complex, drawing devotees from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
The timing is described differently by official sources: the Dehradun district administration gives the fifth day after Holi, while Uttarakhand Tourism gives the sixth day.
The Darbar Sahib describes the beginning as the fifth day of Chaitra, which it also calls the fifth day from Holi. Since the calendar descriptions do not fully align, check the Dehradun district administration’s official site before you go.
How do you plan a visit to Tapkeshwar Mela?
Tapkeshwar Mela takes place at Tapkeshwar Temple on Shivratri, at an ancient cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the eastern bank of the Tons River.
The Dehradun district administration gives the temple’s location as about 5 km from the bus stand and 5.5 km from the railway station. It says you can reach Tapkeshwar from Dehradun by city bus or three-wheeler.
If your trip begins at the station, this Dehradun railway-station arrival guide covers the route to Hotel Amber Palace. The Mela’s recurring association with Shivratri offers a planning cue, but the district page does not give event hours or confirmed dates for a particular year.
When is Laxman Siddha Fair?
Laxman Siddha Fair is held every Sunday, and the last Sunday of April has special significance and attracts larger numbers.
The district administration describes it as a mainly local religious fair. Laxman Siddha is about 10 km away on the Dehradun–Rishikesh road, with the temple site about 1 km inside the jungle from the road.
City bus and tempo are the stated public transport options. The recurring Sunday pattern can help you choose when to go, but specific access arrangements and event hours are not given for particular editions.
Crowds, transport and date checks
For all three fairs, use the recurring calendar pattern as a starting point and confirm the details with the relevant official source before travelling. Jhanda Fair’s timing has differing descriptions, while the district administration provides no confirmed dates for a particular year or specific event hours for the fairs.
For Tapkeshwar and Laxman Siddha, the district administration names city buses as an access option; it also mentions three-wheelers for Tapkeshwar and tempos for Laxman Siddha.
At Laxman Siddha, account for the site’s position about 1 km inside the jungle from the Dehradun–Rishikesh road when considering the journey. If you are planning time in the city around a fair, Dehradun’s city centre and Paltan Bazaar offer a separate point of interest.
FAQs
Which events are held in Dehradun?
Three named fairs are Jhanda Fair at Guru Ram Rai Darbar Sahib, Tapkeshwar Mela at Tapkeshwar Temple and Laxman Siddha Fair.
What is the recurring date pattern for Jhanda Fair?
It is held annually after Holi, but official descriptions differ between the fifth and sixth day. Confirm the timing with an official source before planning around it.
Can you reach Tapkeshwar and Laxman Siddha by public transport?
The Dehradun district administration names city buses for both sites. It also names three-wheelers for Tapkeshwar and tempos for Laxman Siddha.
When is Laxman Siddha Fair busiest?
The last Sunday of April has special significance and attracts larger numbers, according to the district administration.