Baneshwar Fair

Magh Shukla Ekadashi marks the beginning of the largest tribal fair, The Bebeshwar Fair, That is held in Dungarpur distric. Beneshwar is sacred for the tribal communities of Rajasthan and the neighbouring states of Gujarat and Madhay Pradesh. On the occasion, the tribals immerse the ashes of their deceased in the holy waters here. Thousands of devotees gather near confluence of river Mahi and Som rivers. Beneshwar, literally ‘The master of the delta’ is devoted to worship of the revered Shiva Linga which is brought here from the Mahadeo temple in Dungarpur. The religious celebrations are combined with much festivity and the tribal camps make a colourful and breathtaking sight.

If referred to Vagdi language, Baneshwar means the master of the delta. The auspicious Baneshwar fair is celebrated at a delta shaped by the rivers, Som and Mahj. Baneshwar Fair is basically a merger of two fairs. One, which is held in due to devotion towards lord Shiva and another fair, which started after the construction of a Vishnu temple after a saint, considered being an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

This fair is usually held in the period of Shivratri, a festival that is dedicated to Baneshwar Mahadev, lord Shiva. Baneshwar Fair is usually a festival of Bhil tribe. Tourists can visit the Baneshwar Mahadev temple to offer prayers.

The folks of the tribe celebrate it in a simple way by singing songs, around a bon fire. You can be the part of impressive folk dances, magic shows, animal shows and acrobatics. You can enjoy the rides of swings. At the night, you can charge yourself by watching Raslila in the Lakshmi Narayan Temple.