BANESHWAR
FAIR |
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Celebrated In
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Dungarpur, 13 Kms from Udaipur, Rajasthan. |
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Deity :
Shivalinga |
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Temple :
Mahadev Temple |
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Time of the
festivity :
Month of February |
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The name 'Baneshwar' is derived
from the revered Shivlinga, 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 the Shivlinga. The Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta
formed by the river Som and Mahi, from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla
Purnima.
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THE FAIR |
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Baneshwar fair in its present form
is actually one of two fairs: one which used to be held in 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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Two disciples of Mavji named Aje and Vaje built
the Lakshmi- Narain Temple near the confluence of rivers Som and Mahi. The
'pran-pratishtha' ceremony of the idols was performed on Magh Shukla Ekadashi
and since then, the fair is held on this day. The large congregation that
gathers here at the time of the fair pays homage to all the deities with equal
reverence.
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On Magh Shukla Ekadashi, the
priest - called the Mathadhish, arrives at the fair site from Sabla, in a huge
procession. A 16 cms silver image of Mavji on horseback is also brought here.
The river water supposedly becomes holier when the Mathadhish takes a bath.
Hence, people bathe along with him in the river. The Bhils consign the ashes of
their dead at the confluence of the rivers.
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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. |
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WORSHIP AND
OFFERINGS |
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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 Shivlinga 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. |
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Prayers are offered five times a
day in the temples of Lakshmi -Narayan and Brahma. Brass gongs are struck at
the time of 'aarti'. During the fair, 'aarti' of Mathadhish is also performed
and Raslila takes place at night in the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Offerings,
similar to those at the Baneshwar Temple, are made at these shrines too. |
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CULTURAL PROGRAMMES |
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The Bhils attending Baneshwar Fair
sing traditional folk songs in high pitched voices sitting around a bonfire
every night. Cultural shows are arranged by youngsters of the clan. Groups of
villagers are also invited to participate in the programme. |
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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 large
number of shops in the fair provides an opportunity for buying and selling of
essential goods and fancy articles. |
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