Baneshwar Fair
The name Baneshwar is derived from the revered Shiva Linga which is kept
in the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur. "Baneshwar" means the 'master
of the delta' in the local Vagdi language and this name was given to Shiva
Linga.The Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som
and Mahi, from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla Poornima during Shivratri.
(Jan-Feb).
The Baneshwar fair, in its present form is actually a merger of two fairs:
one which used to be held in honour of Baneshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva)
and another fair which started after the construction of the Vishnu temple
by Jankunwari, daughter-in-law of Mavji, a highly revered saint considered
to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The Baneshwar fair is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half
of the congregation consisting of Bhils. They revere Baneshwar Mahadev
as well as Mavji. The majority of the gathering is from the Districts
of Dungarpur, Udaipur and Banswara.
The temple of Baneshwar Mahadev remains open from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00
p.m. during the fair. In the morning, saffron is applied to the Shiva
Linga after it is bathed and an aarti of burning incense is waved before
it. In the evening, bhabhut (ash) is applied to the Linga and an aarti
with a fine-wick lamp is waved. Devotees offer wheat flour, pulses, rice,
jaggery, ghee, salt, chillies, coconut and cash.
The Bhils attending Baneshwar Fair sing traditional folk songs in high
pitched voices sitting around a bonfire every night. Groups of villagers
are also invited to participate in the programme. The fair resounds with
the gaiety of songs, folk dances, magic shows, animal shows and acrobatic
feats. Adding to the excitement are the joy rides on merry-go-rounds and
swings.
The fair site is at a distance of 6.5 kms from Sabla, a village on the Udaipur-Banswara-Dungarpur
bus route which is at a distance of 123 kms from Udaipur 53 kms from Banswara
45 kms from Dungarpur and 22 kms from Aspur, the Tehsil headquarter. On
normal days, one has to reach Sabla from Baneshwar on foot or on private
carts. However, buses go right up to the bank of the river Som during the
fair.
