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The
Sitabari Fair is held near village Kelwara in Baran
District. Held usually prior to the Dussehra. Sitabari is
considered to be the place where Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, was
left by Lakshman to serve the period of her banishment. Legend
says that a stream sprouted from the ground where Lakshman shot
an arrow to fetch water for Sita.This stream is called 'Lakshman
Babhuka'.
People visit the kunds (tanks) to take a holy dip for the
purification of the body and soul and to perform oblations
dedicated to the various deities whose images are installed
here. The biggest water tank is the 'Lakshman Kund' with one of
its gates called 'Lakshman Darwaza' where an idol of
Hanuman is installed.
The Suraj Kund named after the Sun God is surrounded by
verandahs on all sides. Ashes of cremated people are immersed in
the water flowing out of the kund by those who cannot go to the
Ganges for this ritual. In one corner of the kund, the 'Linga'
or shrine of Lord Shiva is placed. The other two Kunds are
the Sita Kund and the Bharat Kund.
Apart from being a religious gathering, traders from nearby
districts as well as neighbouring States come to the fair to
sell a variety of goods. Cattle breeders are also present at the
fair selling popular breeds of cattle from Jhalawar,
Aklera, Bundi, Kota, Bhilwara and
Nagaur.
Sitabari is at a distance of 1 kms from Kelwara. The
distance from Kelwara to Kota is 117 kms and buses ply on this
route. The number of buses is increased during the fair, for
transporting thousands of visitors to the event. The nearest
rails head is Baran at a distance of 75 kms from Kelwara. |