Baneshwar
Fair, Dungarpur
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.
