Fairs of Rajasthan showcase the rich and multi-coloured culture of Rajasthan. Numerous festivals are celebrated throughout Rajasthan every year. Every single important event in Rajasthan is marked by Festivals and fairs in Rajasthan. The religious festivals have their origins in mythology, to mark off seasons or they are simply cantered on some local deity or a hero.
There are several cattle fairs that take place in Rajasthan. Several other festivals and fairs have been introduced by the Tourism Department to showcase the heritage of a region. The best part of these festivals is that they display the Rajasthan`s roots to the world. In spite of all kinds of modernization this Indian state has been successful in sticking to its roots.
Different Fairs in Rajasthan
The festivals are usually marked by cultural entertainment, important trade events and intermingling with various aspects of the local lifestyles where the entire atmosphere is dazzlingly theatrical and lively. The list of fairs in Rajasthan includes:
Baneshwar Fair: Held in January or February it is mainly celebrated by the tribal people of Rajasthan. People from neighbouring states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh also take part in this fair. During the festival, the Shiva linga is worshipped and then a fair proceeds. Baneshwar is another name for Lord Shiva.
Chandrabagha Fair: Thousands of devotees get together here at the time of fair to take a sacred dip in the blessed waters of river Chandrabhaga.
Gangaur Festival: This is celebrated to mark the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Gauri (Parvati). It is celebrated by both married and unmarried girls. In totality it is an 18-day festival and it ultimately finishes off with a grand procession in which Lord Shiva himself arrives to take his bride home.
Mahavir ji Fair: Held in the month of either March or April it is one of the biggest fairs of the Jain community in Rajasthan. Before people participate in the fair they offer their prayers at Mahavir ji Temple. According to legends the holy statue of Mahavirji was discovered by a cowherd on this day. Every year a celebration takes place to mark this day.
Jambheswar Fair: Jambheswar ji is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu by the Bishnois. He at all times stood for self-control, truth and non-violence. Two temples of Jambheswar ji are located next to the town of Nokha - one in village Mukam and the other on the sand bank of Samarthal.
Pushkar Fair: One of the most wanted-after fair in Rajasthan, a lot of tourists comes to Pushkar Fair on pilgrimage as well as to see the exhibit of a mystifying collection of items.
Nagaur Fair: The celebrated Nagaur fair is recognized for the cattle tradesmen with colourful turbans and long moustaches that come there with their very well breed of camels, horses, cows, and bullocks.
Kolayat Fair: The Kolayat Fair of Bikaner holds immense significance for the locals who excitedly wait for it. Tourists also practice a great time as the fair is celebrated on a generous extent. It is also known as "Kapil Muni Fair".
Khatu Shyamji Fair: Thousands of devotees visit the temple in this yearly fair and many of them perform the `Jadula` ritual for their children, where the child"s head is shaven clean for the first time.
Mallinath Fair: One of the major cattle fairs of Rajasthan, Mallinath Fair. It is just the right place to visit for extremely popular breeds of cattle such as cows, camels, sheep, goats and horses.
Sheetla Mata Fair: It is held to make offerings and worship the deity to satisfy her and keep her pacified. In the shrine, a red stone symbolizes the deity.
Sitabari Fair: As the legend goes, Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, was left by Lakshman here to provide the period of her banishment. He also shot an arrow from where a river of clear water developed for Sita.
Other fairs include Urs - Galiyakot, Urs Fair, Khetlaji Fair etc.
