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.
Legend says that a stream sprouted from the ground where Lakshman shot an arrow
to fetch water for Sita.This stream is called 'Lakshman Babhuka'.
People visit the kunds (tanks) to take a holy dip for the purification of the
body and soul and to perform oblations dedicated to the various deities whose
images are installed here.
The biggest water tank is the 'Lakshman Kund' with one of its gates called 'Lakshman
Darwaza' where an idol of Hanuman is installed.
The Suraj Kund named after the Sun God is surrounded by verandahs on all sides.
Ashes of cremated people are immersed in the water flowing out of the kund by
those who cannot go to the Ganges for this ritual.
In one corner of the kund, the 'Linga' or shrine of Lord Shiva is placed. The
other two Kunds are the Sita Kund and the Bharat Kund.
Apart from being a religious gathering, traders from nearby districts as well
as neighbouring States come to the fair to sell a variety of goods. Cattle breeders
are also present at the fair selling popular breeds of cattle from Jhalawar,
Aklera, Bundi, Kota, Bhilwara and Nagaur.
Sitabari is at a distance of 1 kms from Kelwara. The distance from Kelwara to
Kota is 117 kms and buses ply on this route. The number of buses is increased
during the fair, for transporting thousands of visitors to the event. The nearest
rails head is Baran at a distance of 75 kms from Kelwara.
Sitabari Fair, Rajasthan Fairs
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