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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. |
