FAIRS IN INDIA

PUSHKAR FAIR | NAGAUR FAIR| KUMBH MELA|SURAJKUND MELA | THE SONEPUR FAIR | SARKHEJ FAIR | KHAJURAHO FAIRS | BHADRA PURNIMA|THE BHAVNATH MAHADEV FAIR| THE CHITRA VICHITRA FAIR | DANG DARBAR|JANMASHTAMI|KUTCH UTSAV| VAUTHA MELA | TARNETAR FAIR | SHAMLAJI MELO|

Pushkar Fair
         Pushkar is a holy place situated near Ajmer in Rajasthan. It is the only place were the temple of lord Bramha is situated. The largest camel trading fair in the world is held in Rajasthan.Women participate in the religious festivities associated with this event, praying at India's sole temple dedicated to the god Brahma, & taking a holy dip in the waters of the Pushkar Lake. There is a great deal of commerce & trading in arts & crafts & families gather here exchanging gossip as well as reaching matrimonial prospects. The fair has been held for as long as anyone can remember & the scene is evocative of biblical times. Special accommodation & activities for tourists are organized for this fair.

Nagaur Fair
         A major camel & cattle trading fair held in Nagaur, Rajasthan. This is a trading event with cattle & camels being sold or bought. The campfire evenings are an extremely exciting component. Traditionally, women do not participate.

Kumbh Mela
         It is held on the banks of the holy river Ganga and other rivers,where large number of sadhus gather.Traditionally it was celebrated every 12 years, but now it is commemorated annually. A dip in the river during this period is considered very auspicious. The devotes believe that this is one of the four places in India upon which the nectar of immortality fell.The stories of many hindi movies are based on the Kumbh Mela.

Surajkund Mela
         Held in the month of February in Surajkund, Haryana, it is the annual venue of India's finest handlooms and handicraft fair. The heritage & skill of the Indian craft world is highlighted during this pageant where visitors can watch award-winning crafts-men at work & purchase directly form them. The handicrafts are the special attraction for the foreigners.It reflects the rich culture and tradition of India.Many cultural programs & fashion show are also conducted. Alleppey Boat Races: Alleppey boat races are held in the backwaters of Kerela. It is usually held in the second week of August.The oarsmen practice for this event all round the year. The prestigious Nehru Trophy is presented on this occasion. Spectators will be lucky enough to gain a ringside view.

The Sonepur Fair
         This fair is held in Sonepur .It is one Of the Asia's largest cattle fair .Sonepur Mela commences every year on Karthik Purnima- the full moon day in November, and lasts for a fortnight.In ancient times the Royal Rajahs and Nawabs used to camp here.The Sonepue Fair has unique and historical importance.

Sarkhej Fair
         It is the most important Muslim fair.It is also known as the Shah Ahmed Khaltu Fair, It is held at Sarkhej on the southern outskirts of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Among the 175 fairs held in Gujarat ,this fair is of most significance for the Muslims. It is held in the vicinity of the mausoleum of Shah Ahmed Khaltu Gunj Baksh, a saint.People from various places attend this fair .Approximately 25000 to 30000 people attend this fair.

Khajuraho Fairs:
        On every Amavasya this fair is held where people purchase various kinds of consumer items. Various entertainment programs are carried out during these days It includes tribal dances and puppet shows. This festival of music and dance is the most important cultural event of India.People take holy dip in the tank and worship at the Matangeshwar temple. The Khajuraho Dance Festival, held in open-air theatre every year during March has renowned classical dancers perform every evening for a week.

BHADRA PURNIMA(Ambaji)
         As the name Bhadra purnima symbolises Bhadra is a hindu month and purnima means full moon day.There is a large fair on this occassion were agriculturist go in large numbers.It is one of the most important festivals of the year. This festival is held at Ambaji which is situated at the foothills of the Aravali mountain range.

        The temple of Ambaji is recognised as one of the original Shakti pithas where, according the ancient scriptures written about the goddess, the heart of the Goddess Ambaji fell to earth, when her body was dismembered. It is said that the tonsorial ceremony of Shri Krishna was performed at Ambaji In the temple there is no idol. This is a fact testifying to the temple’s antiquity since worship of images of deities became popular much later.

         In the evening, performances of Bhavai are held, and garba programmes are organised. The devotees attend readings of the Saptashati, the seven hundred verses in praise of the goddess, and visit the temple for an auspicous darshan.
There are other holy places around Ambaji which pilgrims usually visit on such occasions such as Gabbargadh,Kumbhariya,Koteshwar etc

THE BHAVNATH MAHADEV FAIR - Junagadh
         The city of Junagadh, situated at the foot of Mount Girnar, is famous as the site of many historical events.Various jain temples are situated at Gorakhnath which is the highest point on the peak on Girnar. The ancient Bhavnath Mahadev Temple is also located at the foot of Girnar. The Bhavnath temple is surrounded by many ancient and holy places. Buddhist caves are also found.

        Huge fair is conducted during Mahashivaratri which last for five days. On that date mahapuja are conducted at midnight.Naga bavas are the followers of lord Shiva,on this day they come in groups and join the fair It is firmly believed that Lord Shiva himself visits the shrine on this occasion. Girnar is said to be the abode of the nine Nathas, who are immortal and eighty-four siddhas or spiritually elevated souls all of whom also visit the temple, in their invisible spiritual bodies.

         There are severals stalls put up which sell several varities such as idols of lord Shiva,Shiv lings and the speaciality items from near by places.Visitors are served free meals by the organisers.

        THE CHITRA VICHITRA FAIR is linked to the days of the Mahabharata. It is located where Aakar,Vakar and Saraswati rivers meet.It is situated at the foothills of Aravalis on the border of Gujrat and Rajasthan.The temple attracts people as the site is very beautiful- the temple overlooks the three rivers.The major participants are the Bhils using various modes of transport. The festival begins on the eve of Amavas (no moon day) when the tribal women gather at the river to mourn their dear departed ones.It is held at a fortnight after holi.

         The Chitra Vichitra fair is a colourful celebration of the tribal culture & costumes of the Bhils. The fair is attended by around 60,000 to 70,000 tribals. They are all drap in beautiful costumes where men wears blue shirt,dhoti and red or saffron turban and the women wearing ghagharas which have a circumference of as much as 20 yards, and are covered from head to foot with ornate and heavy silver jewellery, using liquid kumkum or vermilion to colour their cheeks and lips a brilliant red, while their eyes are outlined with kajal.The tribals break into graceful dances.
Every group visiting the fair carries its own drum, so that the atmosphere comes alive with the incessant beat of numerous drums.

        The women sing folk songs, and everyone dances. The dancing and the drumming continue for hours until everyone is exhausted. Over a hundred stalls hold food and drink, and sweets of various kinds. Silver ornaments can be bought and household articles as well. Here, as in other fairs, there is a giant wheel, and a merry-go-round, which never cease to spin.
The tribal use this opportunity to find their future spouses.

DANG DARBAR
         The Dangs Darbar is the name of the annual fair held in Ahwa every year, a few days before Holi
This fair is held in the district of Gujrat located high in the Saputara hills,adjoining the borders of Maharastra state.It is known as darbar because during the time of British, Darbar of Rajas and Naiks of neighbouring areas used to assemble there. Today it is also called the Jamabandi Darbar, and the District Collector officiates at it.

        People visit this fair dressed in colourful outfits,beating their drums. Merchants from as far away as Nasik, Surat and West Khandesh also visit this fair. Folk dances, ras and garba programmes, songs and dramas are also organised.
The men wear a loincloth, a waistcoat and a colourful cloth wrapped around the head.

        Women wear a sari and a blouse, embellished with numerous silver ornaments of which they are very fond. The resident adivasis derive their livelihood from the forests, which are rich in timber, honey, wax and lac. Many wild animals live in the forests including tigers, chital, bears, pigs, and deer. There are numerous snakes in the district, including cobras and pythons. The climate here is cool and pleasant.

JANMASHTAMI
         Janmashtami is celebrated at Dwarka .Dwarka is rightly called the city of gold. Dwarka, the abode of Shri Krishna. This is how devotees think of the city where Lord Krishna settled over 5000 years ago after leaving Mathura forever, and where he reigned for 100 years. For pilgrims Dwarka's, presiding deity remains Shri Krishna, and they flock there in thousands from all parts of India and abroad.

        The temple towering over the surrounding buildings was built 1400 years ago. It has several floors and is built of sandstone. The interior is simple while the exterior is covered with elaborate carvings. Janmashtami, the birthday of Shri Krishna, is celebrated with great splendour. Rows of lights are lit everywhere, kirtans and bhajans are sung, sermons are delivered and Krishna is worshipped in his infant form. Thousands of people go to Dwarka to visit the temple and participate in the fair.

        After visiting the main temple, devotees go to Shankhoddhar Beyt. There are some other important temples, both old and new. Among these is the temple of Shank-Narayan, dedicated to the Matsyavatar, the incarnation of Vishnu as a fish. This was constructed over 200 years ago.

KUTCH UTSAV
         A Joyful Journey Into History Kutch, with its colourful people, historic towns and remarkable handicrafts, has much of interest to offer visitors. This tour was called a Mahotsava, or great festival, because of the great variety of scenes that are offered to visitors.

        Like so many other regions of Gujarat, Kutch has its own distinctive character. It is, in fact, a peninsula, lying between the Sir river, the Sir Creek and the Great Rann of Kutch on the north-west, and the Gulf of Kutch on the east. The country is somewhat bare and wild, with some cultivated fields near the villages. It has a remarkably heterogenous population, which belongs to 18 different tribes, each with its own language and culture. Yet Kutch, with its colourful people, historic towns, and remarkable handicrafts, has much of interest to offer visitors.

        Kutch as a tourist destination has a vast potential, but is unexplored. It has excellent beaches, wild life, palaces, monuments, desert lands, pre-historic sites, museums, handicraft etc. Gujarat Tourism with its continuous efforts to promote Kutch as a destination within the country as well as abroad has been able to generate more tourists' traffic to Kutch since last two years.

VAUTHA MELA, THE GRAND FAIR AT VAUTHA
         Vautha mela is considered to be one of the largest fairs in Gujarat.This is the only major animal trading fair in Gujarat, and certainly on a par with the famous camel fair at Pushkar in Rajasthan. Here, however, the animals traded are donkeys. About 4000-5000 donkeys are brought every year for sale, usually by Vanjara traders. The village of Vautha is small and has only approximately 2000 inhabitants.

        The fair is held at the juncture of the two rivers The Sabarmati and The Vatrak.When the fair is held ,people from various parts of the country come here and the population of the visitors goes up to as much as around 20000. The fair is held during Kartik purnima, the full moon night of the month of Kartik, corresponding to the month because legends haold that Kartikeya of Kartik swami the son of Lord Shiva had visited this site. Thus this fair also has both mythological and current religious associations.

        The Vautha Mela site is 3 square miles in area. . The site, also known as Saptasangam, is at the confluence of seven rivers. In actual fact, the great Saptarishis or Seven Rishis stayed here for a while. These and other tales, lend the site an air of sanctity, which is enhanced by the fact that there are some famous temples there as well. The most important temple is the Shiva temple of Siddhanath.

        The access to this place is convienent as the largest town is of course Ahmedabad, which is only 50 kms away, but Dholka 26 kms away, is the nearest railway station. From Dholka, one may travel by State Transoport bus to the site. During the fair, special buses ply between Vautha and other towns nearby. People fo different communities visit this fair and include the farmers , peasants, labourers etc.Even the people from the Muslim community visit the fair. It lasts for 2 or 3 days.

        TARNETAR FAIR is known as The Trinetreshwer Mahadev fair. This Fair is one of the most colourful events in the state of Gujarat. The tribal people of Gujarat gather to participate in the various activitis that take place at the fair and enjoy themselves thoroughly.This fair is held near the industrial town of Thangadli, Saurashtra . The fair is held every year on the 4th, 5th and 6th of the Shukla Paksha (Aug-Sep) near Surendranagar.
This three days fair is held at Temple of Shiva or Trinetreshwar (Three Eyed God) popularly known as Tarnetar. As this is one of the most important fairs of Gujarat's Saurashtra region, the Tarnetar fair, as it is usually called, is attended by at least 50,000 people. The participants are tribal people belonging to various groups, such as the Koli, Bharwad, Rabari, Khant, Kanbi, Kathi, Charan, and other castes.

        In recent years, visitors travel there from places as far afield as Ahmedabad. Even foreigners visit Tarnetar in growing numbers, due to its unique character. This place has associations with the Mahabharat as the are is known as the Panchal Pradesh the land of the Panchal clan, to which Draupadi belonged.
Since ancient times it is belived it was at this place that grear warrior Arujan proved his skills in archery .It is at this place where he performed the difficult task of piercing the eye of the rotating fish by looking at its reflection in the kund,and won his bride Draupadi during Draupadi swayamvar.The tribal youth also visit Tarnetar to find a suitable match for themselves. Tarnetar is one of the most important matchmaking melas.
The outfits and the hairstyles of the tribals reveal that they are bachelors.It is not surprising that, before the fair is over, they usually meet the lady of their choice.There are exhibitions of embroidery, a cattle show, and competitive sports. The famous ras, garba and hudo are features of the fair. Modern embellishments include a family planning stall, merry-go-rounds and photographer’s stall.

        The beauty of this fair lies in the spontaneity with which the people joyously break into folk songs and folk dances to the rhythmic accompaniments of drums and an assortment of folk instruments. The Umbrellas are delightful treat for a connoisseur of art, meticulously embellished with mirror work intricate embroidery and enchanting lacework

SHAMLAJI MELO, SHAMLAJI (KARTIK PURNIMA FIAR)
        Shamlaji is a town 80 kms away fro Ahemdabad, was once a town of great historical significance. The Shamlaji Temple has Archaeological importance, as it was built in the 11th century is a renowned Vaishnav shrine, and the deity housed therein is known by various names including Gadadhar - bearer of the mace - and Shaksi Gopal.

        Apart from a darshan of the deity in the temple, a bath in the river Meshwo is. Considered essential. Visitors usually come in groups, and sing devotional songs, carrying religious banners.Kesariaji, the Jain temple, which is about 48 km away; Modasa, 29 km; Bhiloda 15 kms, Meghraj 48 km, and Ahmedabad 160 km are the places worth seeing.

        The Shamlaji Fair also popularly known as the Kartik Purnima Fair and is held during the month of November, every year. It lasts for about two weeks. people from Rajasthan and the adjoining districts visit the fair. During this period, nearly 200,000 people of all communities and castes visit the fair. The fair is also popular with the tribal people of the area, particularly the Bhils, who revere Shamlaji, the deity they refer to as ‘Kalio Bavji’, the dark divinity.