Fast Facts
Venue: Baneshwar, Dungarpur, Rajasthan
Significance: Religious Festival
Duration of Festival:4 days
Month of Celebration: Shivratri (January-February)
Next Date of Event: 6 to 9 February 2009 and 26 to30 January
Reaching There: Rajasthan Roadways have bus services from Banswara,Dungarpur and Udaipur. You can also travel by private car/taxi.
Rajasthan resonates in colors and festivals which set it apart from other destinations of India. Each region of Rajasthan is vivid and exotic. One such festival is Baneshwar Festival that according to a local dialect means Master of the Delta. The term is derived from a Shiva lingam enshrined at the Mahadeva temple of Dungarpur in Rajasthan. The rapture of the festival is such that the tribes from adjoining states of Rajasthan like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat also flock to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. More of a tribal fair, the Baneshwar fair attracts a huge populace of Bhills.
The present fair form is actually a fusion of two fairs. One which was held to honor Baneshwar Mahadeva - Lord Shiva and the other which commenced after the construction of Vishnu temple by Jankunwari, daughter-in-law of Mavji who was deemed as a highly revered saint and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The fair is held at the confluence of two rivers Som and Mahi. Two disciples of Mavji named Aje and Vaje built the Lakshmi Narian temple near the confluence of rivers Som and Mahi. The pran-pratishtha ceremony of the idols was performed on Magh Shukla Ekadashi and since then, the fair is held on this day.
Attractions of Baneshwar Festival
If you are lucky enough to see the extravaganza of music and dance , it is the best time to visit the town. You will love to hum the tunes of folk music sung by the Bhills in high pitched voices. They sing and rejoice around the bonfire every night. The youth of the clan also does not lag behind, the youngsters actively take part in the cultural programs held at the fair. Some renowned groups are specially invited to organize their shows.
The whole region rejuvenates with melodious folk songs, astounding magic show, animal shows and acrobatic feats. What to say about the enthusiasm of children. It just boosts up by the exciting rides like giant wheel, merry go round, my fair lady and swings. Also it is a very good time for the shopping sprees. You can go about some fabulous souvenirs as it provides a wide range of options to choose from. Have the essentials and fanciful decorative items all under the cover of this fair.
Cultural Significance
Umpteen number of traders gather here and and set up shops. These traders sell a lot of products like woolen blankets of Merta, bead necklaces of Nagaur, textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur etc. Saddles, ropes, and assorted household items are also on sale. Cultural shows and exhibitions are also organized in this fair to enliven the event. Movies are shown, competitions are arranged, bards and poets recite and sing tales of valour and heroism of bygone days. Animal races and other competitions also add the attraction.
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