Sheetla Mata fair is a famous tribal fair organized in the Rajasthan state of India. The fair is devoted to the Hindu deity, Sheetla Mata. It is held in the month of either March or April. Sheetla Mata Fair in Rajasthan is an interesting experience for the travellers. People from all over the state participate in it.
Sheetla Mata
Sheetla Mata is worshipped as the goddess of epidemics such as measles, chicken pox, etc. It is believed that if due to any reason, Sheetla Mata loses her temper then the area is expected to be affected by dangerous epidemics. Hence every year during springtime a pooja is performed to appease the goddess.
Location of Sheetla Mata Fair
The fair is organised in the village of Seel-ki-Doongri, 5 km from Chaksu and 35 km from Jaipur. The temple of Sheetla Mata is situated on top of hillock in this village, known as Doongri. The fair is arranged right beside the temple.
Attractions of Sheetla Mata Fair
The fair is held in the month of Chaitra (Hindu calendar) on Krishna Paksha. The fair lasts for only 24 hours in which pilgrims visit to pay homage to Goddess Sheetla. During the Pooja, the devotees make offerings to the goddess in the form of fruits, flowers, sweets and cash. The deity in the main shrine is made of red stone. At the Sheetla Mata Fair a temporary market comes up where the villagers sell their wares. These range from utensils to shoes and from clothes to agricultural tools. Food is also an integral part of this fair. Here one can savour the local delicacies. A cattle fair is also organized at the fairground. Here the villagers can either sell their cattle or buy some for agricultural purposes or simply for their homes. The cattle are dressed up in colourful attires so that they can grab the attention of the buyers.
Connectivity of Sheetla Mata Fair
To reach the fair one has to first reach Jaipur. Jaipur which is also known as the Pink City of India is well connected to all the other major cities of India via railways, airways as well as roadways.
