Dewa Mela Grounds

Dewa Mela Grounds is a large open fairground in Deva (Dewa) town in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, adjacent to the shrine of Sufi saint Haji Waris Ali Shah (Dewa Sharif). It is best known as the venue for the annual Dewa Mela, a ten-day fair held in October-November. The grounds host cultural programs, craft stalls, amusement rides and food vendors, drawing visitors from across the region and serving as a center for communal and cultural gatherings.

Visitors can expect a vast open ground that remains largely empty outside the fair season and transforms into a bustling fair complex during the annual Dewa Mela. The grounds are lined with temporary stalls selling handicrafts, textiles and local products, food vendors, amusement rides and stages for cultural performances including qawwali, mushaira and folk music. The setting is flat and open with views of the nearby Dewa Sharif shrine complex, and visitors can walk through market lanes, watch performances and explore exhibition areas.

The grounds are associated with the shrine of Haji Waris Ali Shah (1819-1905), a noted Sufi saint of the Warsi order. The Dewa Mela was initiated to commemorate the saint and has been held annually for several decades, organized with support from the district administration. It has grown into one of the largest fairs in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The fair held on the grounds is known for promoting communal harmony and composite culture, drawing participants from different communities. It showcases Sufi traditions including qawwali, along with literary events such as All India Mushaira and Kavi Sammelan, and displays of traditional crafts, handloom and rural arts of Uttar Pradesh.