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. (Jan-Feb).
Banganga Fair
The Banganga Fair is held annually on the full moon day of Vaishakh (April-May)
near a rivulet 11 kms from the historical township of Bairath in Jaipur district.
The stream is believed to have been created by Arjun, one of the Pandavas.
Chandrabhaga Fair
The Chandrabhaga fair is held every year at Jhalrapatan (6kms from Jhalawar)
in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov). The River Chadrabhaga runs here and is considered
holy by the people residing in this part of Rajasthan. On the Full moon night
of 'Kartik purnima', thousands of pilgrims take a holy dip in the river.
Gogaji Fair
Gogaji Fair is held in the memory of a popular hero of the area who is known
as Goga Veer among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslims. The Kayam Khani
Muslims claim descent from him and regard him as a peer (saint). Staunch believers
have faith that invoking Gogaji will help to cure a snake bite or other diseases
and many visit the Gogaji Fair to make a wish or for expressing their gratitude
when their wishes come true. This fair lasts for 3 days, annually in the month
of Bhadrapada.
Jambheswar Fair
The Jambheswar Fair is held in the village Mukam of tehsil Nokha, Bikaner District,
twice a year on Phalgun Budi Amavasya and Ashvin Budi Amavasya, in memory of
the founder of the Bishnoi sect -Jambheswarji. His teachings are condensed into
120 sayings which propagate the cardinal virtues of self-control, truth and
non-violence.
Kailadevi Fair
The annual fair of Kaila Devi, (Mahalakshmi or the goddess of wealth), is held
at the village Kaila (24 kms to the south west) in Karauli district in the month
of Chaitra (Mar-Apr), lasting for a fortnight. The temple of Kaila Devi is located
on the banks of the Kalisil river in the hills of Trikut, 2 Kms. to the north-west
of Kaila village. Another attraction is the small temple dedicated to Bhairon,
situated in the courtyard and facing the shrine of Kaila Devi is a temple of
Hanuman locally called 'Languriya'.
Kapil Muni Fair
The Kapil Muni Fair is the largest fair of Bikaner district held on Kartik Poornima
at Kolayat-originally Kapilayatan-named after the sage Kapil who is believed
to have done tapasya (meditation) here for the redemption of mankind. Kolayat
is situated in an arid area.
Karni Mata Fair
Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year at Deshnok, a small town near Nokha in
Bikaner district. The first and larger fair is held in March-April during the
Navratras from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi. The second fair
is held in September-October, also during the Navratras, from Ashvin Shukla
to Ashwin Shukla Dashmi.
Khatu Shyamji Fair
Khatu Shyamji is famous for its Shyamji temple. There is a steady stream of
devotees the year round, but lakh of them gather at the annual fair from Phalgun
Sudi Dashmi to Dwadashi. Apart from being a place of pilgrimage, a large number
of people come for the Jadula ceremony (the first time all hair is shaved off
the head) of their children.
Khetlaji Fair
The Famous shrine of Shri Sonana Khetlaji in the village Sonana of district
Pali is the site of the two day Khetlaji fair, held every year during May-Jun.
The fair attracts a large number of devotees who congregate here during the
fair held in honour of the deity, Khetlaji.
Mahavir Ji Fair
The Shri Mahavirji Fair is held from Chaitra Shukla Ekadasi to Baisakh Krishna
Dwitiya (March-April) to commemorate the memory of Shri Mahavir Swami, the 24th
tirthankara (saint) of the Jains, in Chandangaon. The Mahavirji temple is located
in an enclosure known as 'katala' and houses the image of Mahavir Swami believed
to have been dug out by a leather worker from Devta-Ka-Tila, a nearby hillock.
There is a Man-Stambha (tower of glory) made of marble in front of the temple.
Mallinath Fair
Mallinath Fair is one of the biggest cattle fairs of Rajasthan held annually
near Tilwara, a village in Barmer District from Chaitra Budi Ekadashiio Chaitra
Sudi Ekadashi (March-April). It lasts for a fortnight wherein the highly popular
breeds of cows, camels, sheep, goats and horses attract Portrait of Maiiinathji
people.
Nagaur Fair
This eight days fair held every year during the month of Jan-Feb, is popularly
known as the Cattle fair and is the second largest in Rajasthan. Nagaur Town
is the most picturesque of Rajput townships. Nagaur is a sea of animals, trading
over 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses every year. The bullocks are known for
their fleetness. Not only are the animals lavishly decorated, even their owners
flaunt wearing colourful turbans and long moustaches.
Pushkar Fair
The Famous Pushkar Fair is a great tourist attraction. People from around the
globe come to the ancient religious town of Pushkar which is transformed into
a spectacular fair ground in the month of Kartik. People bathe, worship and
delight in the dazzling wares of roadside stalls. Camels are bought, sold, beautified,
raced and parade. Most unusual are the small groups of men and women seen busy
tattooing their hands and other parts of the body.
Ramdevra Fair
Situated about 12 Kms to the north of Pokhran, the village of Ramdevra known
after Baba Ramdev, a Tanwar Rajput and a saint who took Samadhi (conscious exit
from the mortal body) in 1458 A. D. He had miraculous powers and his fame reached
far and wide. Legend goes that five Pirs(saints) from Mecca came here to test
his power and after being convinced, paid their homage to him. Since then he
is venerated by Muslims also as Ram Shah Pir. The Hindus regard him as an incarnation
of Lord Krishna.
Sheetla Mata Fair
The Sheetla Mata Fair is held in March-April, the month of Chaitra on Krishna
Paksh , in village Seel-Ki-Doongri (Jaipur). Doongri is a hillock on top of
which the shrine of Sheetla Mata stands. The fair is held in her honour for
a day every year. The fair attracts hordes of visitors from far and wide. People
believe that epidemics spread because of the wrath of Sheetla Mata and hence
they worship her and make offerings so that she may be pacified. The deity is
represented by a red stone.
Shekhawati Fair
The Shekhawati Festival held on 10th and 11th February every year is organised
jointly by the State Department of Tourism, District administrations of Sikar,
Jhunjhunu and Churu. Shekhawati, already famous for its frescoes, is fast becoming
a rural tourism destination too. Travelling on horse back, the tourists get
a closer view of the countryside and the people.
Sitabari Fair
The Sitabari Fair is held near village Kelwara in Baran District. Held usually
prior to the Dussehra. Sitabari is considered to be the place where Sita, the
wife of Lord Ram, was left by Lakshman to serve the period of her banishment.
Urs Ajmer Fair
The lakeside city of Ajmer is located in central Rajasthan, and is held in great
reverence by devotees of all communities who call it 'Ajmer Sharif' (Holy Ajmer).
It is here that the mortal remains of the highly respected Sufi saint Khwaja
Moin-ud-din Chishti lie buried.
Urs Galiyakot Fair
Galiyakot is a small village of Tehsil Sagwara in Dungarpur District. It is
located on the banks of the river Mahi and holds special significance for Dawoodi
Bohras, a sect of the Ismaili Shia Muslims. They converge at Galiyakot for ziyarat
(pilgrimage) at the memorial of the revered saint, Sayyed Fakhruddin. The mausoleum
is called Mazar-e-Fakhri. The followers of the saint arrive here not only from
the States of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan but also from abroad.
