The Sitabari Fair is held near village Kelwara
in Baran District. Held usually prior to the Dussehra. Sitabari
is considered to be the place where Sita, the wife of Lord Ram,
was left by Lakshman to serve the period of her banishment. Legend
says that a stream sprouted from the ground where Lakshman shot
an arrow to fetch water for Sita.This stream is called 'Lakshman
Babhuka'.
People
visit the kunds (tanks) to take a holy dip for the purification
of the body and soul and to perform oblations dedicated to the
various deities whose images are installed here. The biggest water
tank is the 'Lakshman Kund' with one of its gates called 'Lakshman
Darwaza' where an idol of Hanuman is installed.
The Suraj Kund named after the Sun God is surrounded by verandahs
on all sides. Ashes of cremated people are immersed in the water
flowing out of the kund by those who cannot go to the Ganges for
this ritual. In one corner of the kund, the 'Linga' or shrine
of Lord Shiva is placed. The other two Kunds are the Sita Kund
and the Bharat Kund.
Apart from being a religious gathering, traders from nearby districts
as well as neighbouring States come to the fair to sell a variety
of goods. Cattle breeders are also present at the fair selling
popular breeds of cattle from Jhalawar, Aklera, Bundi, Kota, Bhilwara
and Nagaur.
Sitabari is at a distance of 1 kms from Kelwara. The distance
from Kelwara to Kota is 117 kms and buses ply on this route. The
number of buses is increased during the fair, for transporting
thousands of visitors to the event. The nearest rails head is
Baran at a distance of 75 kms from Kelwara.
Back
to Rajasthan Fair Festivals
