India Tourism » Cities » Banswara Travel

Fairs & Festivals in Banswara

The principal festivals are Holi, Dussehra, Ram Navami, Diwali and Basant Panchmi and the Moharram and two Ids are main festivals of Muslims.

The Bhils lead a very hard life and it is only at the time of fairs and festivals that they ahve little diversion and entertainment. The Bhils worship several deities, the main ones Kharo Dhain, Moto Dharm, and Bhalodaharam.

Baneshwar Fair (60 km)
Biggest tribal fair hel at Baneshwar on the confluence of Mahi, Som and Jhakham believed to be holy rivers of the region. Number of tribals from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan gather to immerse mortal remains, worship, sing and dance on "Magh Purnima' some where in the month of Feb. believed to be a holy period in this region.

Vagad Festival
It is held annually, a day before Baneshwar fair in Dungarpur fair in Dungarpur and Banswara. Tribal sports like archery, Ghair and Ghoomar dances are the major attractions of the festival.

Holi
Holi is celebrated as an important festival. Tribals perform Ghair dances in the city. Different groups of tribals with swords, sticks and colourful dresses gather in the city and play the dance of Ghair.

Deevo
It falls on the first day of the bright half of Shravan. Bullocks are washed on this day, worshiped and Arti is offered to them. People enjoy, relax and make merry.

Amil Egyaras
It is celebrated on the 11th of the bright half of Phagun. Unmarried boys and girls observe fast on this day. They go to a pond in the afternoon, wash themselves and bring small branch of the tamarind tree. The Bhils attend the fair armed with bows, arrows and sword.

Ghotia-Amba-fair
A big fair is held on Chaitra Sudi Amavasya sometime in the month of March. Every year Bhils gather here to worship and they take holy bath in the sacred tank near the temple. There is a temple which houses the idols of Pandavas, who, it is believed to have spent some time here during their exile. Tribal weapons, especially arrows and swords are sold here during the festival.

Fair at Mangarh (76 km)
Vitthaldio fiars (15km). On Sharad Purnima and Kartik Purnima are held which are popular among the tribals