Jaipur. The 5-day Baneshwar Fair, which is Rajasthan’s biggest tribal fair will begin from 10 February to 14 February. This is predominantly a tribal fair. The majority of the gathering is from the districts of Dungarpur, Udaipur and Banswara.
The Department of Tourism has organized three-days (12 February to 14 February) of fun and festivities for the domestic and the foreign tourists. On Wednesday, 12 February, the celebrations will begin with folk and tribal performances from 7 pm to 10 pm at the Baneshwar (53 kms from Banswara, 45 kms from Dungarpur) by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC) of Udaipur. Renowned folk artistes will performed in the event.
On 13 February, the classical religious performances will be the special feature of the event. The event will be organized from 7 pm to 10 pm by the WZCC.
On 14 February there will be Bhajan performances by the renowned Sharma Bandhu. Folk artistes of Rajasthan will also give performances.
Some major attraction of the fair are tribal sports, religious procession, tribal bazaar, acrobatics, among others.t
know about BANESHWAR FAIR
The name Baneshwar is derived from the revered Shiva Linga 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 Shiva Linga. The Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som and Mahi, from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla Poornima during Shivratri. (January-February).
The Baneshwar fair, in its present form is actually a merger of two fairs: one which used to be held 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 revered saint considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
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.
The temple of Baneshwar
Mahadev remains open from 5.00 am to 11.00 pm during the fair. In the morning, saffron is applied to the Shiva Linga after it is bathed and an ‘aarti’ of burning incense is waved before it. In the evening, bhabhut (ash) is applied to the Linga and an ‘aarti’ with a fine-wick lamp is performed. Devotees offer wheat flour, pulses, rice, jaggery, ghee, salt, chillies, coconut and cash.
The Bhils attending Baneshwar Fair sing traditional folk songs in high-pitched voices sitting around a bonfire every night. Groups of villagers are also invited to participate in the programme. 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 fair site is at a distance of 6.5 kms from Sabla, a village on the Udaipur-Banswar-Dungarpur bus route which is at a distance of 123 kms from Udaipur, 53 kms from Banswara, 45 kms from Dungarpur and 22 kms from Aspur, the Tehsil headquarters. On normal days, one has to reach Sabla from Baneshwar on foot or on private carts. However, buses go right up to the bank of the river Som during the fair.