Top 10 Famous Festivals of Bihar for Competitive Exams 2026

Top 10 Famous Festivals of Bihar: Bihar is known for its rich cultural heritage, traditional fairs, and vibrant festivals that reflect the state’s deep-rooted history and spirituality. From the grand celebration of Chhath Puja to the famous Sonepur Mela, the festivals of Bihar hold immense cultural and religious importance.

For aspirants preparing for banking exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, RBI Assistant, IBPS Clerk, and other competitive exams in 2026, questions related to important festivals, fairs, and regional culture are frequently asked in the General Awareness and Static GK sections. Understanding these festivals can help candidates score easy marks in the exam.

In this article, we will explore the Top 10 Bihar Festivals List for Competitive Exams 2026, along with their significance, location, and important facts useful for Banking, SSC, Railway, and state-level exams.

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Important Festivals of Bihar Overview

Important Festivals of Bihar: Overview
Festival	Region	Significance	Time of Celebration
Chhath Puja	All over Bihar	Sun‑worship ritual for longevity, prosperity, purification	Kartik (Oct–Nov) and Chaitra (Apr–May)
Sonepur Cattle Fair	Sonepur	Asia’s largest animal fair with folk performances	Kartik Poornima (Nov–Dec)
Pitrarapaksha Mela	Gaya	Ancestral rites (Shraddha) for departed souls	Pitrapaksha fortnight in Sept
Rajgir Mahotsav	Rajgir, Nalanda	Cultural festival celebrating Bihar’s ancient heritage	Late October / early November
Bihula Festival	Bhagalpur	Folklore-based worship of the goddess Manasa	During monsoon / August

Top 10 Famous Festivals List of Bihar

Bihar is a vibrant tapestry of diverse cultures and traditions, beautifully reflected in its lively folk fairs and festivals. These celebrations , some unique to local regions and others observed state-wide—are a true testament to the state’s deep-rooted values and ethics.

Explore the details of these rich cultural festivals list of Bihar below.

1. Chhath Puja

Month: October–November (Kartik Shukla Shashthi)

Importance:

• Dedicated to Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya
• One of the most eco-friendly and rigorous Hindu festivals
• Observed with strict fasting and riverbank rituals

GK Facts:

• Considered the most important festival of Bihar
• No idol worship involved
• Famous for offerings during sunrise and sunset in rivers

2. Makar Sankranti (Khichdi Parv in Bihar)

Month: January

Importance:

• Marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn
• Celebrated as harvest festival in Bihar
• People prepare and distribute “khichdi”

GK Facts:

• Known as “Khichdi” in Bihar
• Major bathing rituals take place in Ganga river
• Linked with seasonal change and agriculture cycle

3. Holi (Bihar special traditions)

Month: March

Importance:

• Celebrates victory of good over evil
• Marks arrival of spring season
• Strengthens social bonding through colours

GK Facts:

• In Bihar, “Phagua” songs are sung during Holi
• Celebrated with traditional folk music and dance
• Burning of Holika (Holika Dahan) is an important ritual

4. Durga Puja

Month: September–October

Importance:

• Dedicated to Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura
• Major festival in urban Bihar like Patna, Muzaffarpur
• Cultural events, pandals, and rituals are key attractions

GK Facts:

• Similar importance as in West Bengal
• Huge pandals and cultural programs are organized
• Final day includes Durga Visarjan

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5. Sonepur Mela

Month: November (Kartik Purnima)

Importance:

• One of the largest cattle fairs in Asia
• Held at Sonepur near Patna
• Combines trade, culture, and pilgrimage

GK Facts:

• Located at confluence of Ganga and Gandak rivers
• Historically associated with elephant and horse trading
• Attracts tourists from across India and abroad

6. Sama Chakeva

Month: November–December

Importance:

• Celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters
• Especially popular in Mithila region
• Involves clay idols and folk songs

GK Facts:

• Linked with migration of birds from Himalayas
• Based on folk legend of Sama and Chakeva
• Strong cultural identity of Maithili tradition

7. Jitiya Vrat

Month: September–October

Importance:

• Mothers fast for the long life of their children
• Observed mainly in Bihar, UP, and Jharkhand
• Very strict nirjala (without water) fast

GK Facts:

• Also called “Jivitputrika Vrat”
• Considered one of the toughest fasts in Bihar
• Majorly observed by Hindu women

8. Chhath Mahaparva

Month: October–November

Importance:

• Extended celebration phase of Chhath traditions
• Focus on purity, devotion, and nature worship
• Includes rituals like Nahay-Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya

GK Facts:

• Considered a four-day ritual cycle
• No priest involvement; family-led worship
• Observed on riverbanks across Bihar

9. Madhushravani

Month: July–August

Importance:

• Celebrated by newly married women in Mithila
• Focuses on marital harmony and blessings
• Involves storytelling and snake worship rituals

GK Facts:

• Unique to Mithila culture
• Rituals continue for 13 days in some traditions
• Dedicated to Goddess Gauri

10. Pitrapaksha Mela

Month: September

Importance:

• Dedicated to ancestors (Pitr Tarpan rituals)
• Held at Gaya, a major Hindu pilgrimage site
• People perform pind daan for peace of ancestors’ souls

GK Facts:

• Gaya is one of the holiest places for Hindu rituals
• Attracts devotees from India and abroad
• Linked with Mahabharata traditions

Bihar Festivals: Practice Quiz for 2026 Exams

Here are 10 sample multiple-choice questions based on the festivals of Bihar, designed specifically for the 2026 competitive exam cycle (Banking, SSC CGL, and Other Exams).

1. Which festival of Bihar is uniquely characterized by the absence of idol worship and is dedicated to the Sun God?

A) Durga Puja

B) Chhath Puja

C) Madhushravani

D) Jitiya Vrat

2. The Sonepur Mela, one of Asia’s largest cattle fairs, is situated at the confluence of which two rivers?

A) Ganga and Kosi

B) Ganga and Gandak

C) Sone and Punpun

D) Gandak and Ghaghara

3. In which specific region of Bihar is the festival of “Sama Chakeva” most prominent?

A) Magadh

B) Anga

C) Mithila

D) Bhojpur

4. The “Pitrapaksha Mela” held in Gaya is primarily associated with which of the following rituals?

A) Snake Worship

B) Pinda Daan

C) Harvesting of Crops

D) Worship of Goddess Gauri

5. During the festival of Holi in Bihar, which traditional folk song genre is popularly performed?

A) Chaiti

B) Kajari

C) Phagua

D) Sohar

6. Which festival involves a 13-day ritual specifically observed by newly married women in the Mithila region?

A) Jitiya Vrat

B) Sama Chakeva

C) Madhushravani

D) Makar Sankranti

7. Makar Sankranti is widely known by which local name in Bihar?

A) Khichdi Parv

B) Til Sakraat

C) Phagua

D) Chhathi Maiya

8. The Jitiya Vrat (Jivitputrika Vrat) is observed by mothers for which primary purpose?

A) For a good harvest

B) For the long life of their children

C) For marital harmony

D) To welcome the spring season

9. On which lunar date is the main evening offering (Sandhya Arghya) of Chhath Puja performed?

A) Kartik Purnima

B) Kartik Shukla Shashthi

C) Bhadrapada Ashtami

D) Magha Saptami

10. Which of the following is a four-day ritual cycle involving “Nahay-Khay” and “Kharna”?

A) Durga Puja

B) Chhath Mahaparva

/C) Pitrapaksha Mela

D) Rajgir Mahotsav

Answer Key

Q. No	Correct Answer	Quick Fact
1	B) Chhath Puja	Known for its strict “Nirjala” fast and eco-friendly rituals.
2	B) Ganga and Gandak	Historically significant for elephant and horse trading.
3	C) Mithila	Uses clay idols to celebrate the brother-sister bond.
4	B) Pinda Daan	Pilgrims visit Gaya to pray for the salvation (Moksha) of ancestors.
5	C) Phagua	Traditional Bihar folk songs sung during the spring festival.
6	C) Madhushravani	Includes storytelling and rituals dedicated to Goddess Gauri.
7	A) Khichdi Parv	Marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn (Makar).
8	B) Long life of children	One of the toughest “Nirjala” (without water) fasts.
9	B) Kartik Shukla Shashthi	Celebrated exactly six days after Deepawali.
10	B) Chhath Mahaparva	A unique festival where no priest is required for the rituals.

Conclusion

The festivals of Bihar represent a rich blend of ancient traditions, spiritual depth, and strong cultural unity. From the intense devotion of Chhath Puja to the sacred ancestral rituals at Gaya during Pitrapaksha Mela, these celebrations reflect a civilization deeply rooted in nature worship, family values, and faith.

For aspirants preparing for competitive exams, Bihar’s cultural heritage is an important part of Static GK. Questions from festivals, traditions, and regional practices are frequently asked in exams like SSC, Banking, Railways, and State PSCs. Understanding these topics not only strengthens conceptual clarity but also gives you a clear edge in scoring easy marks.

Instead of rote memorization, focus on connecting festivals with their cultural significance, timing, and unique features. This approach makes revision faster and retention stronger.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which is the most famous festival of Bihar?

Chhath Puja is the most famous and culturally significant festival of Bihar. It is a four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, celebrated with strict rituals, fasting, and deep devotion twice a year.

Q2. Where is Asia’s largest cattle fair held in Bihar?

The Sonepur Mela, also known as the Harihar Kshetra Mela, is held in Sonepur. It begins on Kartik Purnima (usually in November) at the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers and is considered one of the largest cattle fairs in Asia.

Q3. What is the significance of the Pitrapaksha Mela in Gaya?

The Pitrapaksha Mela is a 15-day ritual period when devotees from across India and abroad visit Gaya to perform Pind Daan. It is believed to help ancestors attain moksha (liberation of the soul).

Q4. Which festival in Bihar is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters?

Sama Chakeva is celebrated mainly in the Mithila region. It highlights the bond between brothers and sisters through folk songs, rituals, and clay bird idols representing love and protection.

Q5. How can I prepare for Bihar-specific General Knowledge for BPSC/SSC?

To prepare effectively for regional GK:

• Study Bihar’s important festivals, culture, and traditions in context
• Revise static GK regularly with focus on Bihar-specific facts
• Practice mock tests based on state-wise questions
• Follow structured revision sources like PracticeMock for targeted preparation

Q6. What is the Rajgir Mahotsav?

Rajgir Mahotsav is a cultural festival organized by the Bihar government in Rajgir. It showcases classical music, dance performances, and cultural heritage, highlighting Rajgir’s historical importance as an ancient center of learning and empire.