|
The Shri Mahavirji Fair
is
held from Chaitra Shukla
Ekadasi to Baisakh Krishna
Dwitiya (March-April) to
commemorate the memory of
Shri Mahavir Swami, the 24th
tirthankara (saint) of the
Jains, in Chandangaon. The
Mahavirji temple is located
in an enclosure known as 'katala'
and houses the image of
Mahavir Swami believed to
have been dug out by a
leather worker from
Devta-Ka-Tila, a nearby
hillock. There is a Man-Stambha
(tower of glory) made of
marble in front of the
temple.
The temple is maintained by
the chief priest called
Bhattarak and assisted by
Brahmacharis (his
disciples). The image of
Mahavirji is washed followed
by pujan and ashta-argha
(eight oblations). In the
evening aarti is performed.
Ghee deepaks are lit and the
offerings comprise of rice,
white and yellow flowers,
sandalwood, camphor,
saffron, mishri (crystallised
sugar), and dry fruits.
The major attraction is the
Rath Yatra. The fair of
Mahavirji reaches its peak
on Baisakh Krishna Dwitiya
when the image of the deity
is taken to the bank of
river Gambhiri in a grand
procession for Kalash
Abhishek. The golden chariot
(rath) is drawn by bullocks.
Four persons wave chanvars
(fly whisks) over the image
and the site resounds with "bhajans"
and religious songs with
intermittent slogans of 'Shri
Mahavir Swami Ki jai.
After the ceremony, the
procession returns with the
same grandeur and the image
is restored to the temple.
The pilgrims gather at the
temple to worship, meditate
and seek the blessings of
the saint with folded hands.
During the evening offering
the temple is illuminated
with lights.
Permanent shops exist at the
site, selling food grains,
cloth and general
merchandise. Temporary shops
spring up at the fair and
cater to the needs of the
visitors. Lots of Rajasthan
handicrafts are at a display
during this fair.
Chandangaon, the site of the
fair, is 6.5 Kms away from
Shri 'Mahavirji Railway
Station of the Western
Railway on the Delhi-Mumbai
broad gauge line. It is 18
kms from Hindaun, 29 kms
from Karauli and 176 kms
from Jaipur. Buses are
regular between Jaipur,
Hindaun and Shri Mahavirji.
Buses and tongas is the
means of transport for the
passengers to the temple. |
 |