A couple of months back I, with another friend of mine had made a photographic trip to a tribal fair in Rajasthan. Its called the 'Beneshwar fair' named after the diety-Beneshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva). This is supposed to be the biggest tribal fair of India and is visited by around 5 lakh tribal devotees from the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra, just over a peiod of 4-5 days ! The Baneshwar fair is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half of the congregation consisting of Bhils. The fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som and Mahi near Dungerpur (Rajasthan).
Though we were there just for one day, it was a very interesting experience in its own way ~ we witnessed fascinating tribal rituals, shopped in interesting small shops with even more interesting things being sold, talked with rural tribals ~ clicked pictures and enjoyed the energy and enthusiatism flowing in the rustic air...
To present a complete feel of the place I'm posting pictures of the fair over four posts under the following:
1. Place and mood
2. People
3. Traditional rituals
4. Other activities of the fair
2. People
3. Traditional rituals
4. Other activities of the fair
Hope you would enjoy seeing the pictures...
Here are a few pictures of the overall feel of the place and a glimpse of the mood.
Morning 6.30, the fair is about to begin..a group of tribal women huddled together walking towards the fair...
Still very early in the morning... a group of tribal men and women spreading their stuff and getting prepared for the fair to begin...
Yes, these actually are bows and arrows being sold at various spreadings! While the lads smoke, the old men have started analyzing the stuff...the map above gives direction for the whole area where the fair is spread.
Midday ~ inspite of the sun being overhead, the number of people have increased considerably...seen behind is the merger of rivers Som and Mahi where the most important ritual of the fair takes place...
Traditional tribal music on drums ~ a common sight in different corners of the fair...
A vendor selling fancy stones, bracelets, thread, beads and the like..
~Evening settling down ~
As evening finally settles down the colours of the fair becomes all the more vibrant...
...and all the more live.
I've tried to presnt the mood of the fair at different times of the day...unfortunately we couldnt stay beyond evening to enjoy the festivities of the night...maybe on the next trip sometime..
The next post of this series will be on the tribal people at the Beneshwar Fair...
