Hariyali Amavasya in Udaipur: Sawan Traditions, Monsoon Beauty & the Famous Fair
Udaipur takes on a completely different charm during the monsoon. The Aravalli hills turn green, the lakes fill with rainwater, and the weather brings a refreshing change after the hot summer months. Among the many traditions associated with this beautiful season, Hariyali Amavasya holds a special place in Udaipur.
For locals, it is not just a religious occasion. It is a time of faith, Sawan traditions, family celebrations, greenery, local food and the much-awaited Hariyali Amavasya fair.
“Hariyali” means greenery, while “Amavasya” refers to the new moon day. Falling during Sawan, the festival celebrates the arrival of greenery and the renewal of nature after the monsoon rains.
In 2026, Hariyali Amavasya falls on 12 August.
Why Hariyali Amavasya Is Special in Udaipur
Hariyali Amavasya has a beautiful connection with nature and the monsoon season. Rajasthan experiences hot and dry summers, so the arrival of rain has always been an important part of life here.
As the rains arrive, the dry landscape begins to change. Trees become greener, the Aravalli hills get covered with fresh vegetation, and lakes and water bodies receive much-needed water.
In Udaipur, this seasonal transformation makes Hariyali Amavasya even more special. The festival brings together religious traditions, local culture and the simple joy of enjoying the monsoon.
People visit temples, offer prayers, spend time with family and friends, enjoy traditional food and look forward to the colourful fair held around Fateh Sagar and the Saheliyon Ki Bari side.
As the rains arrive, the dry landscape begins to change. Trees become greener, the Aravalli hills get covered with fresh vegetation, and lakes and water bodies receive much-needed water.
In Udaipur, this seasonal transformation makes Hariyali Amavasya even more special. The festival brings together religious traditions, local culture and the simple joy of enjoying the monsoon.
People visit temples, offer prayers, spend time with family and friends, enjoy traditional food and look forward to the colourful fair held around Fateh Sagar and the Saheliyon Ki Bari side.
My Sawan Experience at Mahakaleshwar Temple
One of the things I personally love about Sawan in Udaipur is the atmosphere at Mahakaleshwar Temple near Fateh Sagar.
During the entire Sawan month, the temple feels completely different. Bhajans and aarti take place every day, creating a peaceful and devotional atmosphere. Mahadev is beautifully decorated in different forms of shringar, so every visit brings something new to see.
Another beautiful tradition is the jhula for Mahadev. Bholenath is beautifully decorated and placed on the jhula, giving the temple a festive as well as spiritual feeling.
The Sawan Mondays are especially important for devotees. Many people keep fasts throughout Sawan and regularly perform puja to seek the blessings of Mahadev.
At Mahakaleshwar Temple, a sawari of Bholenath is taken out within the temple premises on every Sawan Monday. Devotees eagerly wait for these celebrations and participate with great enthusiasm.
The final Sawan Monday is another special occasion. This year, on 24 August 2026, Mahakal will go out for Nagar Bhraman, an event that devotees look forward to with great excitement and devotion.
I personally feel that experiencing Sawan at Mahakaleshwar is not just about visiting a temple. The sound of bhajans, the aarti, the changing shringar of Mahadev, the jhula and the excitement among devotees make it feel like being part of a living tradition of Udaipur.
Kanwar Yatra in Udaipur During Sawan
The Kanwar Yatra begins from Gangu Kund, Aayad, where devotees collect sacred water and begin their devotional journey. From there, the Kanwariyas proceed towards Mahakaleshwar Temple and then to Ubeshwar Ji, carrying the kanwar with faith and devotion.
The journey is not only about travelling from one temple to another. For devotees, it is a spiritual experience filled with dedication, discipline and devotion to Lord Shiva. Along the route, the atmosphere becomes energetic with devotees chanting “Bol Bam” and participating in the Sawan celebrations.
This year, the Kanwar Yatra took place on 8 August, adding another important devotional moment to Udaipur's Sawan celebrations.
For devotees who follow Sawan traditions closely, participating in or witnessing this journey is a beautiful way to experience the living religious culture of Udaipur. It also shows how different temples and sacred places around the city become connected through the devotion of Mahadev's devotees during Sawan.
The journey is not only about travelling from one temple to another. For devotees, it is a spiritual experience filled with dedication, discipline and devotion to Lord Shiva. Along the route, the atmosphere becomes energetic with devotees chanting “Bol Bam” and participating in the Sawan celebrations.
This year, the Kanwar Yatra took place on 8 August, adding another important devotional moment to Udaipur's Sawan celebrations.
For devotees who follow Sawan traditions closely, participating in or witnessing this journey is a beautiful way to experience the living religious culture of Udaipur. It also shows how different temples and sacred places around the city become connected through the devotion of Mahadev's devotees during Sawan.
Sawan Jhula Tradition at Jagdish Temple
The Sawan celebrations are not limited to Mahakaleshwar.
At Jagdish Temple, another beautiful tradition can be seen throughout Sawan. Thakurji is placed on different jhulas, and the decoration changes with different themes.
The jhulas are beautifully decorated using flowers, fruits, vegetables and traditional representations of weapons and armour. Each decoration gives the temple a different festive appearance.
I find this tradition especially beautiful because it combines devotion with creativity. It is a simple but meaningful part of Sawan that shows how religious traditions are celebrated through art and decoration in Udaipur.
Together, the Sawan celebrations at Mahakaleshwar and Jagdish Temple show how deeply the season is connected with the religious and cultural life of the city.
Hariyali Amavasya Fair in Udaipur
The Hariyali Amavasya Fair is one of the most awaited attractions of the festival.
The fair is traditionally associated with the Fateh Sagar area and stretches towards Panchwati and the Saheliyon Ki Bari side. During the celebration, this part of Udaipur becomes lively with people, colourful stalls, food, shopping and entertainment.
The fair offers a chance to experience the local side of Udaipur beyond its famous tourist attractions.
Visitors can find:
Traditional clothes
Jewellery and accessories
Handicrafts
Toys
Household items
Decorative products
Local snacks and sweets
Swings and rides
The combination of monsoon weather, greenery, colourful stalls and crowds creates a unique festive atmosphere.
The Three-Day Hariyali Amavasya Fair
One of the interesting traditions of the Udaipur fair is its three-day format.
Traditionally, the three days have been associated with different groups:
Traditionally, the three days have been associated with different groups:
Day 1 – Everyone
Day 2 – Women
Day 3 – Men
The third day is traditionally associated with men and male visitors.
What Makes the Fair Special?
Walking through the Hariyali Amavasya Fair is a colourful experience. Children enjoy the swings and rides, families shop at different stalls, friends explore the food options and visitors get to see traditional products and local craftsmanship.
For me, one of the best things about the fair is that it gives you a chance to experience Udaipur as locals experience it. It is not only about sightseeing. It is about being surrounded by people, enjoying local food, seeing traditional decorations and becoming part of the festive atmosphere.
If you are in Udaipur during Hariyali Amavasya, spending some time at the fair can give you a very different experience from the usual palace and lake sightseeing.
Monsoon Beauty of Udaipur
Hariyali Amavasya becomes even more beautiful because it arrives during the monsoon. The Aravalli hills become green, the weather becomes cooler and the lakes look fresh after rainfall.
Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola looks beautiful under cloudy monsoon skies. The surrounding ghats, hills and historic buildings create peaceful views and beautiful reflections on the water.
Fateh Sagar Lake
Fateh Sagar is one of the most popular places to enjoy Udaipur's monsoon atmosphere. The lake and surrounding greenery become especially lively around Hariyali Amavasya.
The area around Fateh Sagar also becomes an important part of the festive atmosphere because of the nearby fair.
The area around Fateh Sagar also becomes an important part of the festive atmosphere because of the nearby fair.
Traditional Food and Festive Flavours
Food is an important part of every Indian celebration, and Hariyali Amavasya is no different.
While visiting the fair, people can enjoy a variety of snacks and sweets. Popular festive and local favourites may include:
Ghevar
Malpua
Rabri
Chaat
Pakoras
Chaas
Traditional Rajasthani snacks
Enjoying hot snacks during the rainy weather is one of the simple pleasures of the monsoon season.
Hariyali Amavasya and the Importance of Nature
The word “Hariyali” itself represents the importance of greenery.
The festival arrives at a time when the monsoon brings much-needed water to Rajasthan. Trees, crops, lakes and other natural resources benefit from the rainfall.
For farmers, the monsoon has traditionally been a season of hope. Good rainfall means better possibilities for crops and agriculture.
Today, Hariyali Amavasya can also remind us to take better care of our environment.
Planting trees, saving water, keeping lakes clean and avoiding unnecessary waste are simple ways to carry the message of the festival into our daily lives. The greenery we celebrate during Hariyali Amavasya is something we should also protect.
Tips for Visiting the Hariyali Amavasya Fair
Carry an umbrella or raincoat.
Wear comfortable footwear as you may have to walk quite a bit.
Keep some cash for local stalls and food.
Expect large crowds during busy hours.
Keep your belongings safe.
Avoid littering around Fateh Sagar and other public places.
Respect local customs and traditions.
Check the latest fair timings, routes and arrangements before visiting, as these can change each year.
Carry an umbrella or raincoat.
Wear comfortable footwear as you may have to walk quite a bit.
Keep some cash for local stalls and food.
Expect large crowds during busy hours.
Keep your belongings safe.
Avoid littering around Fateh Sagar and other public places.
Respect local customs and traditions.
Check the latest fair timings, routes and arrangements before visiting, as these can change each year.
Conclusion
Hariyali Amavasya in Udaipur is much more than a festival. It is a celebration of faith, greenery, monsoon, traditions and community life.From the daily bhajans and aarti at Mahakaleshwar Temple to Mahadev's beautiful shringar and jhula, from the Sawan Monday sawari to the colourful jhulas at Jagdish Temple, Sawan brings a special spiritual energy to Udaipur.Then comes the much-awaited Hariyali Amavasya Fair, filling the Fateh Sagar to Saheliyon Ki Bari side with colourful stalls, food, shopping, swings and people enjoying the monsoon together.
What I personally love about this season is that it shows a different side of Udaipur. The city's charm is not limited to its lakes, palaces and heritage buildings. It can also be found in temple bells, bhajans, traditional celebrations, local fairs, monsoon greenery and the happiness of celebrating together. For devotees, Sawan is a time of faith. For families, it is a time to come together. And for Udaipur, it is a beautiful season when nature, spirituality and local culture come alive together.
Pragya Puri Goswami is a Rajasthan-based travel and culture writer who explores heritage, local food, traditions, hidden destinations and authentic experiences across Rajasthan through LakeCity Blog. Through her writing, she shares not only places to visit but also the traditions, stories and local experiences that make Rajasthan special.
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