Kaila Devi Fair

LOCATION : Village Kaila, Karauli District, Rajasthan

TIME OF THE YEAR : Month of Chaitra (March - April)

HIGHLIGHTS : Trading, festivities and dance and music by Mina tribal group

SIGNIFICANCE : Prayers offered to goddess Mahalakshmi

The fair of Kaila Devi (Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth) is held at village Kaila in Rajasthan, India. This fair held every year lasts only for a fortnight. Each year, around two lakh pilgrims come to visit this fair. The pilgrims offer prayers at the Kaila Devi Temple which is at a distance of 2 kilometres from Kaila village. The nearby Bhairon temple and Hanuman temple are other attractions.

Rituals

The devotees bring along with them cash, bangles, coconuts and sweets to offer to the goddess.

Staunch devotees follow the religious practice of Kanak-Dandotis. A distance of approximately 20 kilometres has to be covered by them so as to reach the temple. The most difficult part of this ritual is that this distance is not covered on foot. Instead, the devotees lie flat and make lines with their hand. They reach up to these lines and the process is repeated till they reach the temple.

Celebrations

While some eat and rest during the journey, others enjoy following the rituals and festivities. A number of traders who visit the fair set up their shops here to sell their goods. The Mina tribals arrive in a spirit of happiness, dancing and singing. They make the whole ambiance light and create a lively atmosphere. The song and dance performances in the praise of the guardian deity are held at the courtyard.