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Baneshwar fair |
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Introduction
of Bharatpur Museum |
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BANESHWAR
FAIR OF RAJASTHAN IN INDIA
On the one hand the rich culture and custom of Rajasthan attracts a
large number of tourists, there are also a lot of other things to
watch around in Rajasthan apart from the tourist attractions of
Rajasthan. Rajasthan surprises every visitor by featuring, the
magnificent forts, peaceful lakes, extensive palaces and terrific
wildlife and thus form the main point of this popular tourist
destination of Rajasthan. Not only from the domestic level but also
from the international level The fairs and. festivals of Rajasthan
play a major role in attracting group of tourists.The Baneshwar Fair
of Rajasthan in India is one such festival that catches the attention
of the tourists.
Baneshwar festival is celebrated among the tribal people and involves
a lot of religious events and traditions. The name Baneshwar is
derived from the respected Shiva Linga which is set aside in the
Mahadev temple in Dungarpur. "Baneshwar" means the 'master of the
delta' in the local Vagdi language and this name was given to Shiva
Linga at the Mahadev temple of Dungarpur of Rajasthan. The Baneshwar
fair is organized at a small delta that was formed by the river Som
and Mahi, from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla Poornima during
Shivratri (January - February). This festival holds a lot of
significance for the people of the tribes and particularly the Bhils.
Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan, Baneshwar is well liked not only by the
people of Rajasthan but also by the people of Gujarat and Madhya
Pradesh who come down to this place to celebrate this gala event. A
lot of tourists both domestic and international assemble into
Dungarpur to see this fair and become a part of the event. Baneshwar
Fair of Rajasthan, Baneshwar goes on for a period of four days and a
number of shops are also set up that display a number of fine
handicraft items and lot of tourists purchase these items as a memory.
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History and legend of Baneshwar Fair in Rajasthan, India |
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The
Baneshwar fair of Rajasthan, in its present form is actually a
combination of two fairs: one which used to be conducted in honour of
Baneshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva) and another fair which started after
the construction of the Vishnu temple by Jankunwari, daughter-in-law
of Mavji, a highly admired saint considered to be an living form of
Lord Vishnu.
Two followers of Mavji named Aje and Vaje construct the Lakshmi-
Narain Temple near the convergence of rivers Som and Mahi. On Magh
Shukla Ekadashi the 'pran-pratishtha' ceremony of the idols was
performed and since then, the fair is held on this day. The large
audience that gathers here at the time of the fair pays respect to all
the deities with equal respect.
The Baneshwar fair of Rajasthan is mainly a tribal fair with more than
half of the people attending worship consisting of Bhils. They admire
Baneshwar Mahadev as well as Mavji. The majority of the assembly is
from the Districts of Dungarpur, Udaipur and Banswara of Rajasthan.
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Traditions of the Baneshwar Fair in Rajasthan, India |
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On Magh
Shukla Ekadashi, the priest - called the Mathadhish, comes at the fair
site from Sabla, in a huge procession. A 16 cm silver image of Mavji
on horseback is also brought here. The river water apparently becomes
holier when the Mathadhish takes a bath. Hence, people bathe along
with him in the river. The Bhils deliver the ashes of their dead at
the convergence of the rivers.
The temple of Baneshwar Mahadev remains open from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00
p.m. during the fair. In the morning, saffron is applied to the
Shivlinga after it is bathed and an 'aarti' of burning perfume is
moved before it. In the evening, 'bhabhut' (ash) is applied to the
Linga and an 'aarti' with a fine-wick lamp is moved Devotees offer
wheat flour, pulses, rice, jaggery, ghee, salt, chillies, coconut and
cash.
People pray in the temples of Lakshmi -Narayan and Brahma five times a
day. Brass signals are struck at the time of 'aarti'., 'Aarti' of
Mathadhish is also performed during the fair and Raslila is performed
at night in the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Offerings, similar to those at
the Baneshwar Temple, are made at these shrines too. This is a
religious festival with simple and traditional rituals.
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Main Attractions of Baneshwar Fair |
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Location
: Baneshwar -Well-known for Temple of Baneshwar Mahadev.
If referred to Vagdi language, Baneshwar means the master of the
delta. Baneshwar fair takes place at a delta shaped by the rivers, Som
and Mahj. Baneshwar Fair is mainly a merger of two fairs. One, which
is held in due to devotion towards lord Shiva and another fair, which
started after the construction of a Vishnu temple after a saint,
considered being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
This fair usually takes place in the period of Shivratri, a festival
that is devoted to Baneshwar Mahadev, lord Shiva. Baneshwar Fair is
usually a festival of Bhil tribe. Tourists can visit the Baneshwar
Mahadev temple to offer prayers.
The folks of the tribe celebrate it in a simple way by singing songs,
around a bon fire. You can be the part of impressive folk dances,
magic shows, animal shows and acrobatics. You can enjoy the rides of
swings. At the night, you can watch Raslila in the Lakshmi Narayan
Temple.
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Activities of the Baneshwar Fair in Rajasthan, India |
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The Bhils
attending Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan sing traditional folk songs in
high pitched voices sitting around a bonfire every night. Cultural
shows are arranged by youngsters of the race. To take part in this
program a majority of villagers are also invited.
With the cheerfulness of songs, folk dances, magic shows, animal shows
and acrobatic feats the fair sounds high. The joy rides on
merry-go-rounds and swings adds more excitement to the fair. The large
number of shops in the fair provides an opportunity for buying and
selling of necessary goods and fancy articles. A lot of stalls and
shops are raised and the fair is marked by a lot of cultural programs,
magic shows, animal shows and acrobatic feats to fascinate the
visitors.
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Location
and Transport of Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan in India |
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The
Baneshwar fair site of Rajasthan is at a distance of 6.5 km from
Sabla, a village on the Udaipur-Banswara-Dungarpur bus route which is
at a distance of 123 km from Udaipur of Rajasthan 53 km from Banswara
of Rajasthan and 22 km from Aspur and 45 km from Dungarpur, the Tehsil
headquarter. One has to get to Sabla from Baneshwar on foot or on
private carts on normal days,. However, buses go right up to the bank
of the river Som during the fair.
Udaipur of Rajasthan draws attention of both domestic as well as
international tourists owing to a large number of historical and
religious land marks within the city as well as in the surrounding
area and hence is very well linked to the major cities of India by
road, Air and Rail.
Udaipur By Rail: Train connectivity is setup between Delhi,
Jaipur of Rajasthan and Ahmedabad through trains run by Indian
Railway. Recently Udaipur of Rajasthan got linked with Delhi Kota and
Mathura with superfast Mewar express on large measure line. Udaipur of
Rajasthan is now also associated with the Kolkatta, by the train
"Ananya Express".
Udaipur By Road: Udaipur of Rajasthan falls on the Golden
Quadrilateral, lying midway between Delhi and Mumbai on National
Highway (NH) 8 and is around 650 km from either metro. The roads in
this part of the country are really nice, covered in the middle, and
fit for self-driving. One can either drive from Jaipur of Rajasthan
(around 7 hours) or Ahmedabad (4-5 hours), or take a Rajasthan Tourism
bus from India Gate in Delhi.
Udaipur By Air: Dabok airport of Rajasthan is 24 km from the
city centre. Daily flights link Udaipur of Rajasthan with Jodhpur of
Rajasthan, Jaipur of Rajasthan, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Delhi. The
Airport is going through reconstruction project and soon going to have
a new terminal building with additional 4 stands.
Local Transport Udaipur: Auto rickshaws, Unmetered taxis,
tongas, city bus, regular city bus service is available for Udaipur
City Main roads to dabok airport, badi Lake, Bedala.
Distances of important cities from Udaipur: New Delhi (670 km),
Jaipur of Rajasthan (406 km), Mumbai (739 km), Ahmedabad (262 km),
Jodhpur of Rajasthan (275 km), Mount Abu of Rajasthan (185 km), Agra
(630 km), Chittorgarh of Rajasthan (115 km).
Distances of important places around Udaipur: Jaisamand Lake of
Rajasthan (50 km),Ekling Ji of Rajasthan (21 km), Haldigati of
Rajasthan (42 km), Nathdwara of Rajasthan (42 km), Ranakpur of
Rajasthan (90 km), Rishabdeo of Rajasthan (65 km), Badgaon of
Rajasthan (5 km), Bhinder of Rajasthan (58 km), Dhariyawad of
Rajasthan (120 km), Gogunda of Rajasthan (35 km), Jhadol of Rajasthan
(48 km), Kotda of Rajasthan (128 km), Malvi of Rajasthan (42),
Salumber of Rajasthan (70 km), Sarada of Rajasthan (62 km), Kherwada
of Rajasthan (82 km), Vallabhnagar of Rajasthan (42 km), Fatehnagar of
Rajasthan (52 km), Debari of Rajasthan (13 km), Jawar Mines of
Rajasthan (48 km), Dariba of Rajasthan (73 km), Jamar Kotda of
Rajasthan (16 km), Kankroli of Rajasthan (64 km).
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Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan |
Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan |
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Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan |
Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan |
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