The name 'Baneshwar' is derived from the revered
Shivlinga, 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 the Shivlinga. The Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta
formed by the river Som and Mahi, from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla
Purnima.
THE FAIR
Baneshwar fair in its present form is actually one of two fairs: one which
used to be held in 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.
Two disciples of Mavji named Aje and Vaje built the Lakshmi- Narain 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. The large congregation that gathers here at the time of
the fair pays homage to all the deities with equal reverence.
On Magh Shukla Ekadashi, the priest - called the Mathadhish, arrives at the
fair site from Sabla, in a huge procession. A 16 cms silver image of Mavji
on horseback is also brought here. The river water supposedly becomes holier
when the Mathadhish takes a bath. Hence, people bathe along with him in the
river. The Bhils consign the ashes of their dead at the confluence of the
rivers.
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.
WORSHIP AND OFFERINGS
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 Shivlinga 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.
Prayers are offered five times a day in the temples of Lakshmi -Narayan and
Brahma. Brass gongs are struck at the time of 'aarti'. During the fair,
'aarti' of Mathadhish is also performed and Raslila takes place at night in
the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Offerings, similar to those at the Baneshwar
Temple, are made at these shrines too.
CULTURAL PROGRAMMES
The Bhils attending Baneshwar Fair sing traditional folk songs in high
pitched voices sitting around a bonfire every night. Cultural shows are
arranged by youngsters of the clan. 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 large number of shops in the fair
provides an opportunity for buying and selling of essential goods and fancy
articles.
How To Get There
By Road : 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 headquarters. 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.
General Information
Location : Dungarpur, 13 km from Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Deity : Shivalinga.
Timings : February.
Home
About
Us 
Feedback 
Contact
Us
