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R a j a s t h a n
F a i r s & F e s t i v a l s Baneshwar Fair
Celebrated In
:
Dungarpur, 13 Kms from Udaipur, Rajasthan.
About the Fair Two disciples of Mavji named Aje and Vaje built the Lakshmi- Narain Temple near the confluence of rivers Som and Mahi. The 'pran-pratishtha' ceremony of the idols was performed on Magh Shukla Ekadashi and since then, the fair is held on this day. The large congregation that gathers here at the time of the fair pays homage to all the deities with equal reverence. On Magh Shukla Ekadashi, the priest - called the Mathadhish, arrives at the fair site from Sabla, in a huge procession. A 16 cms silver image of Mavji on horseback is also brought here. The river water supposedly becomes holier when the Mathadhish takes a bath. Hence, people bathe along with him in the river. The Bhils consign the ashes of their dead at the confluence of the rivers. The Baneshwar fair is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half of the congregation consisting of Bhils. They revere Baneshwar Mahadev as well as Mavji. The majority of the gathering is from the Districts of Dungarpur, Udaipur and Banswara.
Worships & Offerings Prayers are offered five times a day in the temples of Lakshmi -Narayan and Brahma. Brass gongs are struck at the time of 'aarti'. During the fair, 'aarti' of Mathadhish is also performed and Raslila takes place at night in the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Offerings, similar to those at the Baneshwar Temple, are made at these shrines too.
Cultural Programmes The fair resounds with the gaiety of songs, folk dances, magic shows, animal shows and acrobatic feats. Adding to the excitement are the joy rides on merry-go-rounds and swings. The large number of shops in the fair provides an opportunity for buying and selling of essential goods and fancy articles. Click To These Festival Tour Packages of Rajasthan Duration : 14 Nights & 15 Days Destination Covered : Delhi, Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Ajmer, Delhi Duration : 20 Nights & 21 Days Destination Covered : Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, Ranthambore, Kota, Bundi, Chittaurgarh, Bijaipur, Udaipur, Khumbalgarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa, Delhi Duration :14 Nights & 15 Days Destination Covered : Delhi, Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Pushkar, Ajmer, Delhi |
The name 'Baneshwar' is derived from the revered
Shivlinga, which is kept in the Mahadev Temple in Dungarpur. "Baneshwar
means the 'Master of the Delta' in the local Vagdi language and this name
was given to the Shivlinga. The Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta
formed by the river Som and Mahi, from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla
Purnima.
