Fairs & Festivals in Rajasthan
Baneshwar Fair, Dungarpur
A religious festival with simple & traditional rituals. Quaint rhythms conjure
up the tribal cultural identity of the Bhils of Rajasthan, Gujarat & M.P.
Baneshwar means the master of the delta and this name was given to the Shiva
linga.
The Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som & Mahi
& prayers are offered to Lord Shiva locally named as Baneshwar.
The fair resounds with the gaeity of traditional folk songs, folk dances, Raslila,
animal show, magic shows acrobatic feats.
Adding to the excitement are me joy ride." on merygo rounds & swings.
Banganga Fair
The Banganga Fair is held annually on the full moon day of Vaishakh (April-May)
near a rivulet 11 kms from the historical township of Bairath in Jaipur district.
The stream is believed to have been created by Arjun, one of the Pandavas.
Visiting the Banganga Fair, taking a bath and paying homage to the holy sites
in the vicinity at this time is therefore considered very auspicious by the
pilgrims who come from Alwar, Behror, Jaipur, Bharatpur and many other places.
Apart from those who come to the fair for pilgrimage, traders of different communities
arrive at the fair to sell their wares.
The articles sold range from simple rural ornaments to toys and household items.
The buying and selling adds to the atmosphere and to the hustle and bustle of
the fair.
Giant wheels and merry-go-rounds thrill the children as well as the grown-ups.
Devotees gather at the Shri Radha Krishnaji's temple in the morning, they take
a bath at the ghats (a flight of steps leading to the water) of the Banganga
river with the belief that it has powers to purify the soul.
The people then proceed to the nearby shrines of Hanuman and Ganga Bihari and
also visit the Shiva temple and the Math of Goswamiji.
Bairath is 85 kms from Jaipur on a diversion from National Highway No. 8 near
Shahpura which connects Alwar.
There is a regular bus service between Jaipur and Maid (from where Banganga
is only a couple of kilometres away).
Brij Festival
The Brij Festival takes place a few days before Holi, (the festival of colours)
in the month of March.
Held in honour of Lord Krishna, this festival is marked by verve and zest. Villagers,
in gay, multihued attire, can be seen singing and performing the Raslila dance
(dance depicting the immortal love-story of Radha and Krishna).
All of Bharatpur echoes the sound of folk melodies on this festival held on
the eve of Holi.
Men and women, young and old, rich and poor-all are touched by the spirit of
this festival.
Boisterous revellers spare no one during this festival and delight in splashing
colour on everyone around.
Bharatpur is situated on the Delhi - Mumbai main railway line and also on National
Highway no. 11 (Bikaner - Agra). Agra being the nearest Airport (56 kms.)
Fairs & Festivals in Rajasthan Reservation Form
Rajasthan