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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.
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