To understand the culture of Muzaffarnagar it is important to get a view on the majority of population in the district. The major population is the district is the combination of Hindus and Muslims though there are presence of other religions like Christian and Sikhs. Thus an Indo-Islamic flavor is the basic of cultural existence in the district. Though all festivals of all religions are celebrated with equal aplomb, it is the events related Hindu-Muslim religions which are celebrated in a grand way in the district. The prominent festivals in the district are Holi, ID, Diwali and Rakshabandhan. However, it is through these festivals that an earnest attempt is made to restore the inherit culture.
Religion is a strong factor for the people of the district. It is the religious beliefs which are the driving force for the major inhabitants of the district. Several popular pious and devoted regions in and around Muzaffarnagar portrays the belief and conviction of the natives. Of them Bhairo Ka Mandir at Ansari Road has immense popularity especially because of the peacefulness and tranquility that the place provides to its every devotee. People visit the temple to enjoy the serenity and worship before the Ekadash Shivlings which means eleven statues of Lord Shiva. On Shivratri, a lot of people come here to offer their prayers in front of Lord Shiva. Another example of religious brotherhood is visible if someone visits Vahelna which is about 4km distance from the main district. This small village in the outskirts of Muzaffarnagar district shows marvelous unity where a Jain Mandir, Shiv Mandir and a mosque shares a common wall which implies the unity of various religions in the city.
Mughal period has a lot of influence till date on the district of Muzaffarnagar where people enjoy the rich inheritance of Mughal era in terms of monuments and havelis with its brilliant architectures of those times. Spread across several villages and district these are treasures of the city. Jansath Tehsil is another location in Muzaffarnagar which has many grand mansions from the time of Sayyids like Killi darwaja, Sheesh Mahal which portrays the cultural legacy of the district.
Literature, art and music have also played a key role in enhancing the cultural background of Muzaffarnagar district. Several prominent and established writers who have huge acclaim both nationally and internationally, in the field are from this place only. Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, the world famous Indian scholar, who wrote books on Islamic jurisprudence, which are considered itself as an institution of Islamic thoughts and ideas belonged from Thana Bhawan in Muzaffarnagar district.
Even the initiator of tablighi Jammat Movement belonged from Kandhla, a village in Muzaffarnagar district. Another famous Hindu writer Shri Vishnu Prabhakar, who was honoured with Padma Bhusan and Sahitya Academy Award, was born in Miranpur in Muzaffarnagar district. He has written several short stories and plays which are best of his kind in terms of nationalism and social upliftment.
To the people of Muzaffarnagar district, music and dance also has immense importance. Several musical shows with devotional songs and plays are organized in festivals to entertain the natives of the district. The musical nights are made livelier with both vocal and instrumental music. It may be noted that folk songs and excessive use of thumris and kajris are the significant in this region of the state. Again,the main dance form practiced in this part of the state, is Kathak dance and in folk is the famous dance form named as Charkula. Though no big celebrities have emerged from this part of the state in the genre of music and dance but the same is extensively practiced and enjoyed in Muzaffarnagar.
Handicrafts are quite popular in Muzaffarnagar district. People with excellent craftsmanship and superior handworks make extensively beautiful wooden works, wooden blocks, house hold furniture’s and many other small decorative items which are the best collectables in every sense. Some of them also make extremely beautiful beaded jewelleries or fashionable accessories which have a lot of demand in the market.
Muzaffarnagar district has various cultural significances which paints the life of people in multiple colors. It not only provides good entertainment to the inhabitants but makes it an attractive destination for visit in the country.
