The Shri Mahavirji Fair
is held from Chaitra Shukla Ekadasi to Baisakh Krishna Dwitiya
(March-April) to commemorate the memory of Shri Mahavir Swami,
the 24th tirthankara (saint) of the Jains, in Chandangaon. The
Mahavirji temple is located in an enclosure known as 'katala'
and houses the image of Mahavir Swami believed to have been dug
out by a leather worker from Devta-Ka-Tila, a nearby hillock.
There is a Man-Stambha (tower of glory) made of marble in front
of the temple.
The
temple is maintained by the chief priest called Bhattarak and
assisted by Brahmacharis (his disciples). The image of Mahavirji
is washed followed by pujan and ashta-argha (eight oblations).
In the evening aarti is performed. Ghee deepaks are lit and the
offerings comprise of rice, white and yellow flowers, sandalwood,
camphor, saffron, mishri (crystallised sugar), and dry fruits.
The major attraction is the Rath Yatra. The fair of Mahavirji
reaches its peak on Baisakh Krishna Dwitiya when the image of
the deity is taken to the bank of river Gambhiri in a grand procession
for Kalash Abhishek. The golden chariot (rath) is drawn by bullocks.
Four persons wave chanvars (fly whisks) over the image and the
site resounds with "bhajans" and religious songs with
intermittent slogans of 'Shri Mahavir Swami Ki jai.
After the ceremony, the procession returns with the same grandeur
and the image is restored to the temple. The pilgrims gather at
the temple to worship, meditate and seek the blessings of the
saint with folded hands. During the evening offering the temple
is illuminated with lights.
Permanent shops exist at the site, selling food grains, cloth
and general merchandise. Temporary shops spring up at the fair
and cater to the needs of the visitors. Lots of Rajasthan handicrafts
are at a display during this fair.
Chandangaon, the site of the fair, is 6.5 Kms away from Shri 'Mahavirji
Railway Station of the Western Railway on the Delhi-Mumbai broad
gauge line. It is 18 kms from Hindaun, 29 kms from Karauli and
176 kms from Jaipur. Buses are regular between Jaipur, Hindaun
and Shri Mahavirji. Buses and tongas is the means of transport
for the passengers to the temple.
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