This article briefly describes the important fairs & festivals of Banswara:
Holi
Holi is the main festival for the tribals. During Holi tribes wear their traditional dresses carrying swords & sticks and perform the “Gair dance“, a typical tribal dance of this region.
Divasa (Haryali Amavasya)
Divasa is a festival celebrated on the last day of first fortnight of Shravanmas. On this day special bath is performed to Bullocks and other animals, and prayers are offered to them as they are considered God’s different posture.
Aamligyaras
This festival is celebrated on the 11th day of the bright half of Phalgun and unmarried boys and girls observe fast on this day. They go to a pond in the afternoon, wash themselves and bring small branches of tamarind trees. The Bhils attend the fair armed with bows, arrows and swords. This festival is held at Ghodi Ranchod, Bhim Kund, Sangmeshwar, etc.
Beneshwar Fair
The biggest tribal fair is held at Beneshwar (in Dungarpur) at the confluence of Mahi, Som and Jhakham. A number of tribals from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan gather to immerse the mortal remains of the dead. They worship, sing and dance on Magh Purnima, which falls in the month of February. The mela is held between Magh Shukla Gyaras and Magh Krishna Panchami.
Ghotia Amba Fair
This is a colorful and traditional fair held every year from Chaitra Thrayodashi to Chaitra Shukla Duje. The Bhils gather to take a holy dip in the tank near the temple with idols of Pandavas. They demonstrate their faith in the holy mango trees and Kaila Pani.
Mangarh Mela
The important fair of the tribals is held on Margshirsha Purnima. At this fair the tribals of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat participate and they pay tribute to Guru Govindgiri, founder of the Samp sabha.
Other Fairs & Festivals of Banswara
| Name of Fair / Festival | Place | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Choti Ranchord | Motogauv | Falgun Shukla Gyaras |
| Kalaji Ka Mela | Gopinath Ka Ghada | First Sunday of Navratri |
| Dev Jhulani | Banswara | Bhadrapad Shukla 11 |
| Ghotia Amba | Ghotia Amba (Borigama) | Chaitra Amavasya |
| Andeshwar | Andeshwar (Kushalgarh) | Kartik Purnima |
| Baneshwar | Dungarpur – Banswara | Maagh Purnima |
| Rath Yatra | Banswara Ghatol Bagidora/Talwara Badodiya/Kalinjra Nogama/Partapur Arthuna/Aajna/Garhi Daduka/ Kushalgarh | Bhadrapad Shukla 3 Bhadrapad Shukla 2 Bhadrapad Shukla 2 Bhadrapad Shukla 2 Bhadrapad Shukla 2 Bhadrapad Shukla 2 Bhadrapad Shukla 2 |
| Vaneshwar | Vaneshwar (Banswara) | Kartik Shukla 4 |
| Maangarh | Near Anandpuri | Margshirsha Purnima |
| Gopeshwar | Near Ghatol | Kartik Purnima |
| Shivratri | Madareshwar, Banswara | Shivratri |
| Mangleshwar, Banswara | Shivratri | 10 Thousands |
| Jaran Ka Mahadev Bagidora | Shivratri | 10 Thousands |
| Navratri | Tripura Sundari (Talwara) | Ashtami |
| Vittaldev Mela | Vittal Dev | Poush Purnima |
