Gauchar Fair

Gauchar is a small town situated at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains. Gauchar is well known for its historic trade fair with one of the largest pieces of flat land in the Uttarakhand mountainous region, thus having the potential of hosting an airport in the future.

Gauchar also serves as the halt for yatris on the way to Badrinath Temple. Gauchar Airport played a vital role at the time of Kedarnath 2013 floods for rescuing the pilgrimages.

Gauchar Mela is an annual trade fiar held on 14th November in the hilly town of Gauchar, located in the left bank of Alaknanda River in the Chamoli district of Uttrakhand. Gauchar falls en route Badrinath Temple. Gauchar Fair is one of the largst trade fairs of Uttrakhand wherein regional products produced from the cottage industries of Uttarakhand are showcased and traded.
Along with trade, Gauchar Fair showcase different types of regional songs, dances, and cultural performances and hence holds a special place in terms of a culyural Fair.

HISTORY OF GAUCHAR FAIR

Gauchar Mela started in 1943 and ws inaugrated by the then Deputy Commissionr Mr.Barnedi Traders from the Tibetains of Dapa, Diphu, Gyaning and Tholing would sell wool, deer musk, shilajit, balck salt, along with numerous ayurvedic products. however, due to problem with India and China in 1962, the trade with Tibet stopped.
Due to the leveled Falt land of Gauchar, it served as an airstrip in the past. The queen of the region while returing from Badrinath decided to use the land as a grazing field. She bought the land fron the villagers and since then, it was used as a grazing field. The name Gauchar originated after that Gauchar was the property of Panwar kings until they donated the land to Badrinath Temple. The land is still under Badrinath Temple and it not supposed to be used for any of agricultural or agricultural related activities.

SIGNIFICANCE OF GAUCHAR FAIR

Gauchar Mela is one of the most importance treade fairs of Uttarakhand. The fair begins on 14th November and continues for a week or so. As Gauchar Fair exhibitis the arts and crafts of different regions of Uttarakhand, it plays a vital role in promoting trade and culture of Uttarakhand. Particulary an industrial fair, Gauchar Fair encourag cottage industry by providing platform for the people to display their products in front of local inhabitants, traders, and tourists. all the state government departments take part in the fair where they flaunt modern agricultural methods.