If we remove the festivity of the
fairs, Rajasthan would have been a dull place. It is surprising to see
how the sheer will of human beings keep them in constant celebration in
the rough weather and scorching sun of the desert land. Romance, faith
and valor of the Rajputs infuses new life in the folklores and the folk
songs of Rajasthan. The traditions are very much alive and traditional
fairs are held all the year round marked by colorful costumes and
cultural performances. There is music and dance and there are village
women wearing heavy silver jewellery and hiding their faces behind the
veil. There are traders who gather to sell their wares - household items
and exquisitely designed handicrafts. There are camels and cattle and
there are competitions.
It is said that the stream of
Banganga was formed when Arjun, one of the Pandavas, shot an arrow
to quench the thirst of dying Bhishma Pitamah, who was a brave
warrior and had been badly wounded in the battle of Mahabharata.
Gogaji is regarded as a saint
by the Kayam Khani Muslims who are beieved to be his descendants. He
is an eminent warrior-hero of the region. Hindus called him by the
name of Goga Veer while Muslims call him Jahar Peer.
Jambheswar ji is considered an
in carnation of Lord Vishnu himself, by the Bishnois. He always
stood for self-control, truth and non-violence. Two temples of
Jambheswar ji are situated near the town of Nokha - one in village
Mukam and the other on the sand dune of Samarthal.
One of the most venerated
fairs of Rajasthan, Kaila devi fair is hels at the temple of Kaila
Devi, who is worshipped as the guardian deity by the Yadavas, the
Khinchis, and the princess of Karauli.
The largest fair of Bikaner,
Kapil Muni Fair is named after the Kapil who was a great sage,
believed to have done 'tapasya' here for the redemption of mankind.
Kapil Muni has been mentioned in Puranas and has been said to
descend from Lord Brahma (the creator of the world) himself.
Karni Mata led an ascetic life
and dedicated herself to the service of the poor and downtrodden and
is believed to possess supernatural powers. She laid the foundation
of Deshnok and her main followers are 'Charans'.
Thousands of devotees visit
the temple during this annual fair, many of them for performing the
'Jadula' ceremony of their children, where the child 's head is
shaven clean for the first time.
There are shops and festivity
that is characteristic of all Rajasthani fairs. The bubbling people
who throng to the fair in their colorful attire certainly add the
charms to this gala occasion.
One of the biggest cattle
fairs of Rajasthan, Mallinath Fair is just the right place to visit
to look out for highly popular breeds of cattle such as cows,
camels, sheep, goats and horses.
The famous Nagaur fair is
known for the cattle tradesmen with colorful turbans and long
mustaches that come there with their fine breed of camels, horses,
cows, and bullocks.
One of the most sought-after
fair in Rajasthan, a lot of tourists come to Pushkar Fair on
pilgrimage as well as to see the display of a mystifying array of
items.
Baba Ramdev was a Tanwar
Rajput who took 'Samadhi' (left his mortal body for the heavenly
abode) in 1458 AD. He was believed to have miraculous powers and is
considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna.
It is said that if the wrath
of Sheetla Mata is let loose, then epidemics spread. This fair is
held to make offerings and worship the deity to please her and keep
her pacified. In the shrine, a red stone represents the deity.
A sacred place to Digambar
Jains, followers of Mahavir ji, they come from far off places to pay
their homage to the venerated saint at the Mahavirji temple,
situated in an enclosure known as 'Katala'.
As the legend goes, Sita, the
wife of Lord Ram, was left by Lakshman here to serve the period of
her banishment. He also shot an arrow from where a stream of clear
water sprouted for Sita.
The remains of Sufi saint
Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti lie buried in 'Dargah Sharif' in Ajmer
and are held in held in great reverence by devotees of all
communities. Khwaja had come from Persia and established Chishtia
order of 'fakirs' in India.
Thousands of devotees and
followers congregate at the shrine during the annual Urs, to pay
their homage and seek blessings of the saint to have their wishes
fulfilled.
