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The annual fair of
Kaila
Devi, (Mahalakshmi or the
goddess of wealth), is held
at the village Kaila (24 kms
to the south west) in
Karauli district in the
month of Chaitra (Mar-Apr),
lasting for a fortnight. The
temple of Kaila Devi is
located on the banks of the
Kalisil river in the hills
of Trikut, 2 Kms. to the
north-west of Kaila village.
Another attraction is the
small temple dedicated to
Bhairon, situated in the
courtyard and facing the
shrine of Kaila Devi is a
temple of Hanuman locally
called 'Languriya'.
Approximately 2 lakh
devotees gather during the
fair. The ritual of
Kanak-Dandotis is observed
by staunch devotees. They
cover a distance of 15 to 20
Kms to reach the temple, not
on foot but by lying
prostrate, making lines with
their hands in that
position, advancing up to
the line drawn and repeating
this procedure till they
reach the temple.
While some eat food and take
rest during the journey,
others endure the rigours of
the ritual without these.
Groups of Mina tribesmen
arrive in a spirit of gaiety
dancing, singing and
creating a lively
atmosphere. The spacious
courtyard becomes the venue
for dances and songs sung in
praise of the guardian
deity.
The nearest rail-head is
Hindaun at a distance of
about 48 Kms. Shri Mahavirji
is another rail-head of the
Western Railway near Kaila.
The site is approachable by
well maintained roads from
Karauli, Hindaun and
Mahavirji. During the fair,
the State Transport as well
as private operators provide
bus services keeping in mind
the huge inflow of pilgrims. |
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