Culture & Heritage

Hindi is the official language. In addition to Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and local dialect are also spoken.
Holi, Janmashtmi, Ram Navami, Diwali or ‘Festival of Lights’, Dussehra & etc. are major Hindu festivals along with Basant Panchami, associated with kite flying.
Most of the Hindu festivals are determined based on position of the Sun and the Moon. Hindu festivals calendar is also known as Hindu Vrat and Tyohar calendar. The fasting is known as Vrat and festival is known as Tyohar or Parva in local language. Most Hindu festivals calendar include significant fasting days along with festivals. Many Hindu festivals are celebrated while keeping a day long fast on the festival day. Hence in Hinduism Tyohar(s) are time for celebrations, deity worship and austerity.

• The Month-long Gugal Mela: This mela is celebrated during August-September every year (i.e.on Bhadrpd Shukl Paksh Dashmi Tithi) after Janmashtami. This fair is organised on the road to Ambala. The Historical Gughal Fair, a symbol of communal harmony, is a shared heritage of Saharanpur. It gives a message of mutual brotherhood to all
• Shakumbhari Mela :Shakumbari Devi Temple is an ancient temple of Hindus.This temple is located in Jasmor village, 40 kilometers away from Saharanpur. Shakumbhri Devi temple is one of the famous shakthi peeth temple in India. The devotees have a strong faith in the Goddess and the temple attracts a large number of devotees from India as also from outside the country particularly during the Navratree days.It is indeed an experience of life to visit the main temple as also the nearby Bhuradev Temple seeking their blessings.These temples are easily approachable by road or train from different parts of the country and their location is surrounded by hills and serene environment.Twice a year, in the Ashwin and Chaitra months of the Hindu calendar (during the days of Navratra),as also at the time of Holi festival, the famous Shakumbhri melas are organised.It is during these melas, in particular, that the roads from Saharanpur(U.P.) to the Temple are properly maintained so as to facilitate to and fro smooth journey for the devotees. The devotees to Shakumbhri first visit Bhura-Dev temple which is about one kilometer before the Temple and then proceed to the Temple of the Goddess.The popularity of this temple has been increasing day by day and many devotees from far and near visit this temple for “Darshan” these days. During this famous melas, lakhs of Hindu devotees visit this temple for darshan. Bhandare are organized here by willing devotees. There are also several inns and only one guest house and Gurukul education of Sanatan Dharma is also given here.
• Bala Sundari Mela Deoband
• Various Culture Programs are performed at Janmanch,Gandhi park Saharanpur

Predominantly vegetarian, the people liberally use milk products, vegetables and fruits in their cooking.