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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. |