Baneshwer Festival

This is a religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. On this occasion tribal from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat join their brethren from Rajasthan to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The Baneshwar fair is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half of the congregation consisting of Bhils.

Activities
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.

History
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 rich culture and tradition of Rajasthan as on one hand attracts a large number of tourists, there are also a lot of other things to watch around in Rajasthan apart from the tourist attractions of Rajasthan. Rajasthan dazzles every visitor by featuring, the majestic forts, placid lakes, sprawling palaces and terrific wildlife and thus form the cynosure of this popular tourist destination of Rajasthan. The fairs and festivals of Rajasthan play a major role in attracting horde of tourists from not only the domestic but also from the international level. One such festival that catches the attention of the tourists is the Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan in India. Baneshwar festival is celebrated among the tribal people and involves a lot of religious events and rituals.

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 at the Mahadev temple of dungarpur of Rajasthan. 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 (January - February). This festival holds a lot of importance for the people of the tribes and especially the Bhils.

Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan, Baneshwar is well liked by not only the people of Rajasthan but also by the people of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh who come down to this place to celebrate this gala event. A lot of tourists both domestic and international flock into Dungarpur to witness this fair and be a part of the event. Baneshwar Fair of Rajasthan, Baneshwar goes on for a period of four days and a number of shops are set up that display a number of fine handicraft items and lot of tourists purchase these items as a souvenir.