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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