On the occasion of Makar Sankranti (mid-January) fair is held at Kenduli in the district of Birbhum. The Mela draws the largest number of Bauls, the wandering minstrels of Bengal.

The river Ganga accounts for one of the huge festivals-cum-fair. On the last day of Indian month of Pous (Mid January) lakhs of assembled pilgrims have a holy dip at the Saugour island beach on the estuary of the Bhagirathi river, where a makeshift township is erected for their reception by the state authorities.

The pilgrims who belong to all sections of Hindus flock by river crafts of all descriptions. Complete bazars (markets) springs up for meeting their needs.

Medical together with hospital facilities are made available and Hindu missionary bodies provide thousands of volunteers to look after their welfare.