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Rajasthan. A
land of festivals and fairs. Festivals to watch, to
experience, to be part of. Local people spring into
activity, and colourful fairs blossom overnight, games and
processions fill the towns and countryside. even the gods
have favoured Rajasthan. The year is studded with festivals
as its land is a brim with historic temples, fortresses,
legends, traditions and rituals. there is always an occasion
for celebration and song. The Rajasthan Tourism Department
has made a significant contribution in reviving and
promoting the forgotten but colourful and vibrant festivals
in the state of Rajasthan.
Desert
Festival
Place: Jaisalmer
Time: January-February
Rites & Rituals The otherwise barren
land of Jaisalmer comes to life and displays some cherished
moments of its illustrious past and affluent culture.
Traditional dances backed by high-pitched music create an
out-of-this-world environment. The Turban Tying Competition
and Mr. Desert contest give a totally distinct touch to the
festival.
The famous Gair dancers and the traditional fire dancers
leave the crowd enchanted and asking for more. The festival
ends with a trip to the sand dunes where you can enjoy the
pleasure of a camel ride while viewing dancers and musicians
displaying
Come,
celebrate the most colourful, cultural and traditional fairs
& festivals of Rajasthan.
Baneshwar Fair
This is a religious festival
with simple and traditional rituals. On this occassion
tribals from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and
Gujarat join their brethren from Rajasthan to offer prayers
to Lord Shiva. The Baneshwar fair is predominantly a tribal
fair with more than half of the congregation consisting of
Bhils.
Activities
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 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 waved. 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.
History & Places to see
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 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.
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