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Shri Mahavirji Fair

Shri Mahavirji Fair is a popular fair that is held every year in Chandangaon, Rajasthan. The fair is arranged in the months of March & April, from Chaitra Shukla Ekadasi to Baisakh Krishna Dwitiya as per Hindu calendar. The fair is held to celebrate the reminiscence of great Shri Mahavir Swami.

Shri Mahavir Swami was the 24th saint (tirthankara) of the Jain religion. The fair is organized around the holy temple of Shri Mahavir Swami which is situated in 'Katala’. The biggest attraction of this fair is considered the infamous Rath Yatra and people from around the world come here to enjoy & take part in this holy Chariot Yatra.

This fair is widely celebrated by people, especially those who belong to Jain religion. In fact, this temple is considered as one of the most famous pilgrimage for Jains in Rajasthan and is visited by Jain people, at least once in their life to seek blessings from their Lord Mahavirji and to learn the blessings and teachings Mahavirji gave during his lifetime.

The Fair

Shri Mahavirji Fair is organized every year in Rajasthan. There is a big temple of Shri Mahavir Swami in Chandangaon, which is also known as Chandanpur. This fair is organized for seven days. There is a legend popular for this fair that states that there is a picture of Shri Mahavir Swami which is supposed to have been dug out by a leather worker who belonged to a nearby hillock, called Devta – Ka – Tila. This image is considered very holy & consecrated by the followers of Jain religion. This fair involves a big ceremony, the Kalash Abhishek of this image and all the visitors take part in that ceremony. This fair is held to celebrate the five teachings of the Lord Mahavir Swami which were - truthfulness, nonviolence, non-stealing, detachment and chastity.

Worship and Offering

The devotees gather in the morning to pray, meditate and worship at the temple. They all seek the holy blessings of the Shri Mahavir Swami with their hands folded as doing, Namaskar. First, in the very early morning, the image of Shri Mahavir Swami is washed by the pujaris and this is called prakshalan. Then a pujan is carried out along with eight oblations (ashta-argha) ritual. An aarti (holy prayer) is performed in the evening.

In the evening, people lit Ghee Deepkas and do the offering to the Mahavirji. This offering encompasses of yellow & white flowers, rice, camphor saffron, sandalwood, mishri (crystallized sugar), along with some dry fruits.

Cultural Programme or Activities in Shri Mahavirji Fair

The biggest centre of attraction of this fair for devotees around the world is the holy Rath (Chariot) Yatra that takes place every year during the fair. During this Rath Yatra, the sacred image of Shri Mahavir Swami is taken to banks of Gambhiri River and it is taken in a huge parade for performing the consecrated Kalash Abhishek. The entire Rath (Chariot) is made of embellished with flowers and this golden Rath is haggard by bullocks. Four people are there on Rath who wave fly whisks (chanvars) over the sacred image of Mahavirji while the site resonates with religious songs and ‘bhajans’ with sporadic slogans - 'Shri Mahavir Swami Ki Jai’. After the Kalash Abhishek ceremony is completed, the parade returns with the same sumptuousness and the holy Mahavirji’s image is restored in the temple.

Local market is also a point of attraction for the people coming to the fair. Permanent shops are already in the market and during fair some temporary shops also spring up providing several things of interest to the visitors. The main attraction in these shops is the Rajasthan’s incredible handicraft art work along with local food items and clothes.

How to Reach

The Shri Mahavirji Fair is held in the Chandanpur village where the holy temple of Shri Mahavir Swami is situated. The village is located in Rajasthan’s Sawaimadhopur district. This district is at a distance of 175 from Agra, 140 km from Jaipur while 300 km from Delhi.

By Air

Nearest airport is in Jaipur, at Sanganer city. From here one can opt for bus or taxi to travel ahead.

By Road

Rajasthan Roadways have bus services from Jaipur that are well connected to almost all major cities. From Jaipur bus stand, buses can be taken to reach Chandanpur.

You can also choose to travel by private car or taxi.

By Rail

Nearest Railway station is at Chandanpur itself which is well connected to all the other major cities of India via railways. Mahavirji temple is hardy 7km from the railway station.

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