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Baneshwar Fair, Dungarpur
A religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. This fair is the centre
of attraction of a large number of tribals from the neighbouring states of Madhya
Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren from Rajasthan in offering prayers to
Lord Shiva.
Baneshwar means the master of the delta and this name was given to the Shiva linga.
The Baneshwar fair is a five-day religious tribal fair held at a delta formed by
the rivers Som, Mahi and Jakham in the months of January-February. Prayers are offered
to Lord Shiva locally named as Baneshwar.
People of the Bhil tribes, gather in large numbers at Baneshwar (Dungarpur) from
the districts of Dungarpur. Udaipur and Banswara to worship their God, Baneshwar
Mahadev, another name for Lord Shiva.
The temple of Baneshwar Mahadev remains open from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. during
the fair.
The priest called the Mathadhish, arrives at the fair site from sabla, in a huge
procession. The river water supposedly becomes holier when the Mathadhish takes
a bath. Hence people bathe along with him in the river.
In the morning, saffron is applied to the Shiva Linga after it is bathed and an
aarti of burning incense is waved before Baneshwar Fair Tour it.
In 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.
At night the Bhils sing traditional folk songs in high pitched voices sitting around
a bonfire. The entire place resounds with melodious songs, folk dances, magic shows,
animal shows and acrobatic feats. Adding of the excitement are the joy rides on
merry-go-rounds and swings.
The fair resounds with the gaiety of traditional folk songs, folk dances, Raslila,
animal show, magic shows acrobatic feats.
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