Fairs in Rajsamand district are held to celebrate events of significance. Whereas the Teej Mela celebrates the advent of the monsoons in these arid regions, the Raj Mahotsava is a celebration of the foundation of the city of Rajsagar. By far the most common kind of fairs held here are those which are held for the purchase and sale of cattle, such as the Karnimata fair, Kuarian cattle fair etc. There is much celebration and festivities in the organisation of the fairs. Events include dance-dramas, cultural programs, seminars etc. Some of the major fairs in Rajsamand district are discussed below.
Karnimata fair
This 9 day fair is organised in the vicinity of Karnimata Temple in Devgarh, 70 Kms. north of the district Head Quarters. It has been held for the last 40 years. The main purpose of the fair is for the sale and purchase of cattle. The fair is organised by Municipal Council. Apart from cattle trading, it is also famous for its Dussehra celebrations, where at the time of Rawan Dahan, almost one lakh people participate in the ceremony. Found here are many shops, stalls and items of entertainment which are the special attractions.
Kuarian Cattle Fair
This is another famous cattle fair organised by Panchayat Samiti, Rajsamand, 15 kms east of the district headquarters. This fair is organised on a large scale, rendering full scope of sale and purchase of cattle and items related to live stock Kavi Sammelan, cultural nights and other dance-dramas are major events of entertainment.
Pratap Jayanti Mela
The birthday of the freedom fighter Maharana Pratap Singh, the great son of Mewar, is celebrated on Ashad shukla, on the 3rd of May or June every year in Haldighati. It is organised jointly by the Panchayat Samiti, Khamnor, Maharana Pratap Smriti Sansthan, Haldighati and Jai Haldighati Nav Yuvak Mandal, Khamnor. Shobhayatra, rural games, cultural programmes, seminars, Goshti, etc are the events of interest in the three-day long celebrations.
Teej Mela
Teej festival is held to mark the advent of monsoon, is observed in the month of August or September. It is the time when the entire region becomes green and beautiful and water flows freely in rivers and waterfalls. The women folk dressed in bright colours celebrate Teej i.e. the third day of Shrawan (shukla and Krishna) especially on the banks of the Banas River. Nathdwara Dolar, Chakri, Jhoola are the special features of interest amongst the younger masses and the Meena bazaar for young ladies.
Raj Mahotsava
The Raj Mahotsava is held by the Maharana Raj Singh Shodh and Smriti Sansthan, Rajsamand, a society dedicated to commemorate the birth celebrations of Maharana Raj Singh, the founder of Rajnagar. Sagar poojan, cultural programmes, Bhakti Sandhya, seminars and related lectures of historians are the main features of this three day event. Apart from this, conferring of awards like the Raj Gaurav, Raj Nidhi and Raj Samman are also held. It is of great interest to participate in the function on the banks of the famous Rajsamand Lake at Nachauki on the full moon evening of Sharad Purnima in the month of September or October.
These are the various fairs held in the district of Rajsamand.