Uttarakhand is a state that is not only famous for its serene natural beauty but also for its rich ethnicity. People in Uttarakhand celebrate various festivals and fairs with great enthusiasm. Ghandiyal Mela is one of them which has been celebrated in Tehri since time immemorial. Ghandiyal Devta Raj Jaat is held every alternate six and 12 years. The fair is organized at Ghandiyal Dhar of LostuBadiyargarh in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand. The fair is held in honor of the Ghandiyal deity. The fair lasts for nine days and nine nights.
Ghandiyal deity is a famous god and is worshiped very religiously in Tehri and other areas of Uttarakhand. It is believed that the Ghandiyal deity is an incarnation of Lord Abhimanyu and was a devotee of Lord Shiva. He is worshiped as the Rashak Dev – the ‘divine protector.’ Devotees with high religious spirit attend the temple fair and perform rituals. People wear colorful clothes and enjoy the devotional atmosphere of the Ghandiyal fair.
Devotees perform puja rituals very religiously, and a holy yajna is also performed. Nearby villages like LostuBadiyargarh, Dagar, Hindau, Faigul, Nelchami, etc., participate. It is the deep worship of the Ghantakarna deity that attracts people to the Ghandiyal fair at Lostu.