|
|
|
Place
|
Tithi
|
Next
Dates
|
|
DUNGARPUR
|
Magh
- S 11 - 15
|
4
-8 Feb. 2001
|
23
- 27 Feb. 2002
|
The
name Beneshwar is derived from the revered Shiva Linga which
is kept in the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur. "Beneshwar"
means the 'master of the delta' in the local Vagdi language
and this name was given to the Shiva Linga. The Beneshwar
fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som and
mahi, from magh Shukla Ekadashi to magh Shukla Poornima.
|
Birds Eye View |
Devotees
at Beneshwar |
The
Beneshwar fair in its present form is actually a merger of
two fairs : one which used to be held in honour of Beneshwar
Mahadev (Lord Shiva) and another fair which started after
the construction of the Vishnu temple by Jankunwari, daughter-in-law
of Mavji, a highly revered saint considered to be an incarnation
of Lord Vishnu.
|
| Two
disciples of Mavji named Aje and Vaje built the Lakshmi Narian
temple near the confluence of rivers Som and Mahi. The pran-pratishtha
ceremony of the idols was performed on Magh Shukla Ekadashi
and since then, the fair is held on this day. |
View of the Temple
|
The
priest called the Mathadish, arrives at the fair site
from Sabha, in huge procession. A 16 cms. silver image of Mavji
on horseback is also brought here. The river water supposedly
becomes holier when the Mathadish takes a bath. Prayers
are offered five times a day in the temples of Lakshmi-Narayana
and Brahma. Brass gongs are struck at the time of aarti.
During the fair, aarti of Mathadish is also performed
and Raslila takes place at night in the Lakshmi Narayana
temple. |
|
|
|
|
