Bissu Mela – A Tribal Celebration of Jaunsari Culture in Uttarakhand

What is Bissu Mela?

Bissu Mela is a spring harvest festival celebrated by the Jaunsari community—a tribal group living in the Jaunsar-Bawar region, located between Dehradun and Chakrata in Uttarakhand. The mela is held every year around mid-April, mostly coinciding with Baisakhi.

This fair is organised to worship Santura Devi Mata, who is considered the kuldevi (clan goddess) of Jaunsari people. The festival is all about celebrating agricultural abundance, performing rituals for good harvest, and enjoying folk performances, community feasting, and bonding.

Where is Bissu Mela Celebrated?

The main celebration of Bissu Mela happens at the Santura Devi Temple, situated near Kalsi-Chakrata road, about 5–6 km uphill from Kempty area. The temple is surrounded by lush pine forests and hilly terrain. Nearby villages like Lakhamandal, Koti-Kanasar, Tuini, and others also participate actively in this festival

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When is Bissu Mela Celebrated?

Bissu Mela is held in the month of Chaitra (March–April), according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It generally falls between 10th and 20th April, with the main day often celebrated on Chaitra Purnima.

Upcoming Bissu Mela (2026)

In 2026, Bissu Mela is expected to be celebrated around April 13 to April 16, depending on the local lunar calendar.

Past Bissu Mela (2025)

In 2025, the fair was celebrated on April 14, and saw participation of thousands of devotees, folk artists, and tourists. There were vibrant performances, local food stalls, wrestling competitions, and Santura Devi’s grand aarti in the evening.

Historical Background and Mythology

Bissu Mela is not a new-age tourism event. It is a centuries-old tradition among the Jaunsari people. As per legends, Santura Devi was a powerful goddess who protected the people of Jaunsar-Bawar from drought, disease, and enemies. During earlier times, the tribal headmen and gram devtas used to bring offerings of grains, milk, and goat at this temple before starting the sowing season.

The word “Bissu” is believed to come from “Vishu” or “Bishu”, meaning new year or spring renewal, commonly used in many North Indian tribal dialects. Some scholars also connect the name with Vishuva Sankranti, the time when day and night are equal.

Who Celebrates Bissu Mela?

The main community that celebrates this festival is the Jaunsari tribe, which belongs to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category in Uttarakhand. They speak Jaunsari language, follow a mix of Hinduism and animism, and have a deep-rooted culture of devta puja, community-based farming, and oral folk traditions.

Unlike other Uttarakhand festivals that are caste-based or deity-specific, Bissu Mela is entirely tribal and agricultural. It is not celebrated in Garhwal, Kumaon or Terai regions.

Traditions and Rituals of Bissu Mela

This fair is a lively mix of spiritual devotion and tribal festivity. Key traditions include:

1. Santura Devi Darshan

The day starts with the worship of Mata Santura Devi. Devotees come barefoot, carrying offerings of milk, grains, turmeric, and flowers. Special aarti and jhaanki processions are organised.

2. Traditional Jaunsari Dance

Folk groups perform Harul, a circle dance of Jaunsar-Bawar. People wear colourful woollen costumes and sing traditional ballads while dancing in rhythmic movements.

3. Folk Singing and Dhol-Damau

Local artists sing folk songs in Jaunsari dialect, backed by the traditional dhol-damau beats. Songs often tell stories of love, bravery, and devotion to Santura Devi.

(Note: No specific Bissu Mela folk song lyrics were found online, but if you have access to any lyrics or recordings, I can add them.)

4. Local Wresting Matches

Younger boys and men participate in traditional kushti (wrestling), which is a big attraction for locals. Prizes include goats, food items or money.

5. Community Feast

People from surrounding villages prepare local dishes like mandua roti, urad dal, bhang ki chutney, and share them in a community feast.

Tourism and Local Impact

With increasing interest in tribal and cultural tourism, Bissu Mela is slowly gaining popularity among outsiders. Many travellers and culture enthusiasts now visit Chakrata in April to experience this rural fair.

However, the mela still remains authentic and non-commercial. It provides income to local artists, weavers, and shopkeepers. Local administration supports the mela by providing water, roads, and basic facilities.

How to Reach Bissu Mela Location