Baneshwar fair is a popular tribal fair of the Dungarpur district in the Rajasthan state of India. The fair is basically organised by a tribal community called the Bhills. People of the same community from the neighbouring states also participate in the fair. Most of the people who take part in the fair are from Dungarpur, Udaipur and Banswara. These are the regions where the Bhill community is found in large numbers.
Baneshwar refers to the Shiva Linga. It is kept in the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur. Baneshwar literally means `master of the delta` in the Vagdi language.
Location of Baneshwar Fair
The location of the fair ground is at Sabla Village. The fair site is the delta region formed by rivers Som and Mahi. It is reachable from Udaipur, Banswara and Dungarpur by road.
Celebration of Baneshwar Fair
It is organised in the month of January or February and the worship of the Shiva linga precedes the fair. The fair continues from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla Poornima during Shivratri. Presently, two fairs have been merged to celebrate the Baneshwar fair in Rajasthan. Previously, two separate fairs were held. One was held in the name of the revered Baneshwar Mahadev or Lord Shiva. The other was held for Lord Vishnu after the construction of the Vishnu Temple.
As far as the procedure of the worship is concerned, the Shiva linga is bathed and then aarti is performed with incense sticks. Bhabhut or ash is applied on the Shiva linga in the evening. Again an aarti is performed but this time with fine-wick lamp. Offerings are made in the form of rice, wheat, pulses, coconut, ghee, flour, jaggery, salt and chillies. Cash is offered. At the time of fair, the temple of Baneshwar Mahadev remains open from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.
Other Attractions of Baneshwar Fair
At the Baneshwar fair in Rajasthan, merry go-rounds, giant wheels and pother joy rides are arranged for entertainment. Traditional folk songs and dances are also arranged. Both the children and adults can also enjoy the magic shows, acrobatic deeds and animal shows. Lots of temporary shops are also displayed from where people can buy essential goods and fancy articles.
