The Shri Mahavirji Fair is held from Chaitra Shukla
Ekadasi to Baisakh Krishna Dwitiya (March-April) to commemorate the memory
of Shri Mahavir Swami, the 24th Tirthankara (saint) of the Jains, in Chandan
Gaon. Among the visitors to the fair are the principal followers of Mahavir
Swami - the Digambar Jains, who come from far and wide to pay homage to the
saint at the shrine.
The Mahavirji temple is located in an enclosure known as 'Katala' and
houses the image of Mahavir Swami believed to have been dug out by a leather
worker from 'Devta-Ka-Tila', a nearby hillock. The temple also has images of
other Jain tirthankaras and the idol of Bhairon is installed as the guardian
of the shrine at the door. There is a 'Man- Stambha' (tower of glory) made
of marble in front of the temple.
Members of any community can come to pay homage. Consequently, the shrine
attracts devoted pilgrims of all castes and creeds from neighbouring areas
as well as from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Delhi,
Bengal, Assam and Bihar.
WORSHIP AND RITUALS
The temple is maintained by the chief priest called 'Bhattarak' and
assisted by 'Brahmacharis' .These members of the Jain community conduct
various rites and rituals. The pilgrims gather at the temple to worship,
meditate and seek the blessings of the saint with folded hands. The image of
Mahavirji is washed early in the morning, the ritual being called
'prakshalan'. This is followed by 'pujan' and 'ashta-argha' (eight
oblations). In the evening, 'aarti' is performed. Ghee lamps are lit and the
offerings comprise of rice, white and yellow flowers, sandalwood, camphor,
saffron, 'mishri' (crystallised sugar), and dry fruits.
THE RATH YATRA
The fair of Mahavirji reaches its peak on Baisakh Krishna Dwitiya when the
image of the deity is taken to the bank of river Gambhiri in a grand
procession for 'Kailash Abhishek'. The golden chariot (Rath) is drawn by
bullocks. Four persons wave 'chanvars' (fly- whisks) over the image and the
site resounds with "bhajans" and religious songs with intermittent
slogans of 'Shri Mahavir Swami-Ki-Jai'. After the ceremony, the procession
returns with the same grandeur and the image is restored at the 'vedi' of
the temple.
Significance
Religious
To Commemorate Mahavirji, the 24th Jain Tirthankara .
How To Get There
By Rail
Chandan Gaon, the site of the fair, is 6.5 kms away from Shri Mahavirji
Railway Station of the Western Railway on the Delhi-Mumbai broad gauge line.
It is 18 kms. from Hindaun, 29 kms from Karauli and 176 kms from Jaipur.
By Road
Buses ply regularly between Jaipur, Hindaun and Shri Mahavirji and buses
and tongas transport the passengers to the temple.
General Information
Location : 176-km From Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Main Attraction : Rath Yatra.
Timings : March-April.
Useful
Information
Recreation Centers
Permanent shops exist at the site, selling food grains, cloth and general
merchandise. Temporary shops spring up at the fair and cater to the needs of
the visitors. Food stalls, toy shops and fruit vendors are a common sight. A
merry-go-round, a circus and plays offer recreational outlets and students
of Jain schools stage plays based on Jain philosophy.
Prime Attractions of Jaipur
Hawa Mahal
Jaipur's signature building, the Hawa Mahal, a multi layered palace, was
built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Famous for it's beehive like
structure, the Mahal is an interplay of red and pink sand stone, carefully
and painstakingly outlined with white borders and motifs.
Amber Fort
Overlooking the Delhi Jaipur Highway, the image of the Amber Fort is
beautifully reflected in the lake below. Within the Fort lies the famous Jai
Mandir (Temple) with its world renowned Sheesh Mahal, a hall full of
Mirrors.
Govt.
Central Museum
Located in the centre of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh, this is the oldest
Museum in the State. The building was designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob.
It was built in 1876 AD when King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of
Wales. It was opened to public in 1886 AD.
Jal Mahal
The Jal Mahal Palace, Jaipur is noted for its intricate architecture. The
Palace was developed as a pleasure spot. It was used for the royal duck
shooting parties.
Jantar
Mantar
At the entrance to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the 'Yantralaya' of
Sawai Jai Singh II, the last great classical astronomer in India. The
modernistic structures known as 'Yantras' are the unique creations of this
astronomer-king designed by him and built by experts to observe the
movements of sun, moon, planets and the stars.
Nahargarh
Fort
Beyond the hills of Jaigarh, stands the fort of Nahargarh like a watchful
sentinel guarding Sawai Jai Singh's beautiful capital.
Sawai
Man Singh Museum
Located within the City Palace complex and nestled amidst old buildings,
temples and the palace quarters, this museum was founded in 1959 by Maharaja
Sawai Man Singh II. The exhibits comprise of the ancestral collections built
up by the successive rulers of Amer and Jaipur.
Sheetla Mata Fair
The Sheetla Mata Fair is held in March-April, the month of Chaitra, in
village Seel-Ki-Doongri, Jaipur. Doongri is a hillock on top of which the
shrine of Sheetla Mata stands. The fair is held in her honour every year and
attracts hordes of visitors from far and wide.
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