The three-day-long Harballabh Fair is held from the 27th to the 30th of December every year. The fair is one of the popular Jalandhar festivals held to commemorate the saint, Swami Harballabh, who was an ardent musician. A musical soiree is held in which some of the maestros of Indian classical music participate. The Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan is attended by the people of the city of Jalandhar and those who arrive from the neighboring cities to listen to the instrumental and the vocal presentation of music.
The saint, Swami Hariballabh hailed from the village of Bajwara in the district of Hoshiarpur. He renounced the material and worldly life to become a devoted follower of the saint, Swami Tulja Gir. It was his mentor who introduced him to music and Swami Harballabh discovered his passion for Indian classical music. The saint specialized in dhrupadhs which is a form of the vocal classical music of India sung in the praise of God. Swami Harballabh was also renowned as a composer.
The fair was first started on the initiative of the saint's disciple, Pandit Tolo Ram. Funds were gathered by the organization to host the fair with the masters of classical music performing in the fair. The Sangeet Academy that works under the aegis of the Harbhallabh Sangeet Mahasabha was established in the year 1956. The academy offers courses on Indian Classical Music. The institution desires to promote music in the city and to provide the students of music with diplomas and degrees.
The pilgrims visit the shrine of the saint and the Devi Talab, which is the holy tank situated beside the holy shrine. The organization provides free accommodation and food to the visitors who arrive to the fair.
Last Updated on 17th Dec 2012
