Fair and Festivals

Summer Festival, Mount Abu (Rajasthan)

Summer festival 2014 is held in Mount Abhu (Rajasthan) from 12th to 14th May 2014. Summer festival is held every year during the month of May on Budh Poornima. The festival celebrates the warmth and cheerfulness of the people of hill station, who welcome the tourist from the depth of their hearts. The hospitality of the people, their colorful culture and exotic location made this festival a never to be forgotten experience.
The festival begins with a ceremonial procession, which starts from the RTDC Hotel Shikhar and gather at the Nakki Lake Chowk followed by folk performances of Rajasthan & Gujrat states. The grand finale of the Festival a display of dazzling fire works all three days. This three day colourful festival is organized by the Rajasthan Tourism, Municipal Board, Mt.Abu & District Administration. The second and third day of the festival is more interesting because of various competitions that take place the whole day. Skating Race, skater’s Show, CRPF Band Show, Boat Race, Horse Race, Tug of War, Panihari Matka Race and Deepdan add to the excitements of the celebration.

Kaila Devi Fair, Karauli (Rajasthan)

The annual fair of Kaila Devi, (Mahalakshmi or the goddess of wealth) will begins from 28th April 2014. Kaila Devi fair is held at the village Kaila (24 kms to the south west of Karauli) in Karauli district in the month of Chaitra (Mar‐Apr), lasting for a fortnight. The temple of Kaila Devi is located on the banks of the Kalisil river in the hills of Trikut, 2 Kms. to the north‐west of Kaila village. Another attraction is the small temple dedicated to Bhairon, situated in the courtyard and facing the shrine of Kaila Devi is a temple of Hanuman locally called 'Languriya"

Approximately 2 lakh devotees gather during the fair. The ritual of Kanak‐Dandotis is observed by staunch devotees. They cover a distance of 15 to 20 Kms to reach the temple, not on foot but by lying prostrate, making lines with their hands in that position, advancing up to the line drawn and repeating this procedure till they reach the temple. While some eat food and take rest during the journey, others endure the rigours of the ritual. Groups of Meena tribesmen arrive in a spirit of gaiety – dancing, singing and creating a lively atmosphere. The spacious courtyard becomes the venue for dances and songs sung in praise of the guardian deity. The nearest railhead is Hindaun at a distance of about 48 Kms. Shri Mahavirji is another railhead of the Western Railway near Kaila. The site is approachable by well maintained roads from Karauli, Hindaun and Mahavirji. During the fair, the State Transport as well as private operators provide bus services keeping in mind the huge inflow of pilgrims.

Camel festival is held in which City ?

Camel festival is held in which City ?

A. Bikaner
B. Jaisalmer
C. Barmer
D. Jodhpur
Ans: A, Bikaner

Kaila Devi Fair, Karauli

Kaila Devi Fair: The annual fair of Kaila Devi, (Mahalakshmi or the goddess of wealth),is held atthe village Kaila (24 kms to the south west of Karauli) in Karauli district in the month of Chaitra (Mar-Apr), lasting for a fortnight. The temple of Kaila Devi is located on the banks of the Kalisil river in the hills of Trikut, 2 Kms. to the north-west of Kaila village. Another attraction is the small temple dedicated to Bhairon, situated in the courtyard and facing the shrine of Kaila Devi is a temple of Hanuman locally called 'Languriya'. Approximately 2 lakh devotees gather during the fair. The ritual of Kanak-Dandotis is observed by staunch devotees. They cover a distance of 15 to 20 Kms to reach the temple, not on foot but by lying prostrate, making lines with their hands in that position, advancing up to the line drawn and repeating this procedure till they reach the temple.

Godwad Festival, Rajasthan

The Godwad festival is a new three-day cultural festival introduced by the Rajasthan Tourism Department to promote the 'Godwad' region of the Pali district. The festival is held at Ranakpur and was initially promoted as a "Yoga Retreat and Classical Dance Festival". The first festival was held in August 2011 and the second Godwad festival was held in March 2012. Classical dances performances are held at the 13th century Sun Temple, besides traditional processions of Marwari horses and elephants, horse dancing and racing and folk dances as part of the festival. Godwad Festival- 2013 is scheduled to be held on 9-12 April 2013.

 

Camel Festival, Bikaner, Rajasthan

Camel Festival, Bikaner: Camel Festival is organized each year in January month by the state government with camel races, various cultural events and a fire dance performed by the Sidh people. This festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort (1588-1593) in the town. It is a colorful spectacle of beautifully decorated camels that fascinates the onlookers with their charm and grace. The festivity advances to the open sand-spreads of the Polo Grounds, followed by camel races, camel milking, fur cutting design, the best breed competition, camel acrobatics, camel bands and so on.

Bikaner camel festival has a historical significance. The camels were very important when there were no motor vehicles. At that time the camels were an important part of the transport in the city of Bikaner. Camel festival is organized by the Art and craft Department of Rajasthan Tourism with an intention of attracting more and more tourists to this city which is famous for its camels. The camels of Rajasthan were famous for their endurance as well as their strength and beauty. Today, even when cars have taken away much of pressure from our Ship of Desert of Rajasthan, camels continue to hold their place intact.

THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013

Sitabari Mela | Sitabari Fair, Rajasthan

Sitabari Fair, Rajasthan: Sitabari Mela or Sitabari Fair is biggest fair of Sahariya tribe of south-east rajastha, Sitabari fair is also referred as Kumbh in the Sahariya tribe. Holy Dip in Kunds at Sitabari FairHoly place Sitabri is about 45 Km. from the Baran city near the Kelwara Kasba. A big tribal fair is organised here on Jeshta Amavasya. The place has number of "Kunds" attributed to Sita, Laxman, Surya, Lav & Kush and taking a holy dip in them is considered auspicious. The Swyambar (marriage function) of Sahariya tribes is organised in this fair where people comes from all over Rajasthan state and adjoining Madhya Pradesh. A Sahariya boy drops the handkerchief for proposing Sahariya Purchasing at tribal fair girl in the fair, if the Sahariya girl accepts the Handkerchief, it is said that they are agreed for marriage. The bride and grooms take the 7 rounds (sat phere) of the Barnawa tree and after the blessings of their parents they are accepted as married couple.

Sitabari Fair derives its name from the place where it is held, that is Sitabari. It is a small-town but has tremendous religious significance to the Hindus as Sita, wife of Lord Rama, had stayed here. Thus, the place derives its name from this mythological belief. According to the Hindu Mythology, when Sita maa (wife of Lord Rama), was serving her period of banishment, she had stayed here.When Sita felt thirsty, Laksman ,her brother-in-law, shot an arrow in the ground that resulted in the spring of water. This stream is called “Lakshman Babhuka”. The Fair of Sitabari lays its roots in the importance of the town of Sitabari, according to the Hindu mythology.

Bhagoria Festival

Bhagoria Festival celebrated by Bheel tribal people at Jhabua and Alirajpur districts a week prior to Holi has been the amalgamation of modern elements and traditional landscape. Bhagoria festival is one of festival during which young boys and girls are allowed to elope after choosing their partners for marriage.  Bhagoria Haat Festival is organized in the district of West Nimar(Khargon) and Jhabua. The haat is organized in the form of a 'swayamvar' or a marriage market where young girls and boys are allowed to choose their partners. 

In our endevour to provide the true flavour of the colorful and vibrant land of border of Madhya Pradesh / Rajasthan/ Gujarat, Bhagoria festival, is a unique festival which speaks of the multicultural base of modern India. The Bhagoria Haat in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh reminds us of the age old colorful traditions of the tribal, since this festival originated with the Bhil tribal of Madhya Pradesh. The fun filled nature of the festival is representative of the rich cultural heritage that India represents. The concept of the festival originates in the process of elopement seen from its nomenclature, of “bhaag”, which literally means “run” in Hindi. It is also something like the idea of “Swayambhara” where young partners elope, and are later sanctioned by the society predetermined by their customs. Usually the couple may have met before the fair several times, and hence the idea of eloping is rather a formalized process, more stylistic than real, and conforming to the laws of their traditional rules and regulations. Bhagoria Festival is celebrated in the month Phalguna(February-March).The festival falls before Holi, another major Indian festival, and is also associated with agricultural harvest and fertility. 

QUIZ. कोनसी जन-जाति भंगोरिया त्यौहार के अवसर पर अपना जीवन साथी चुनते है ?
A. मीणा
B. डामोर
C. भील
D. गरासिया
Ans: C