Shamlaji Fair Gujarat

Shamlaji is small shrine on the bank of Meshwo River. It is one of the rare temples of Lord Krishna where cow idols are also worshipped depicting his childhood as a cowherd. Built of sandstone and brick, this two storey architecture is believed to be 500 years old. Exteriors walls are adorned with frescos that depict episodes from the epics- Ramayana and Mahabharata.

When: Around the month of November. Kartik Purnima (Full moon night)

Where: Shamlaji, Sabarkantha district, Near the border between Gujarat and Rajasthan

Duration: Three Weeks

Tarnetar Fair

Tarnetar is widely known for Trinetreshwar Temple, and the fair held here. It is believed that the temple belongs to the Solanki Era. The Pratihara kings, predominantly the worshipers of Lord Shiva were great builders and architecturally brilliant. They were ardent patrons of art and sculpture. The Trinetreshwar temple is an ornate and evolved example of its time portraying the Gurjjar Pratihar style. Owing to the reign of the Pratihar kings, the regions were later called as the Panchal region. The temple was later reconstructed without changing its architectural beauty by the King of Lakthar, Karansinghji in memory of his son.
The Trinetreshwar temple is profusely sculpted with exquisite designs. 33 deities have been carved on the temple walls exemplifying perfect execution and sublime expressions.ad

Modhera

The Tarnetar temple is surrounded by three Kunds : the Vishnu Kund, the Bhrahma Kund and the Shiv Kund - south of which a cellar is built. It is popularly believed that a dip in its waters is as holy as a dip in the sacred River Ganges.

Tarnetar Fair Costume

Tarnetar fair traveller outlook

Costume of tarnetar

Celebration of Life

Gujarat - a land of exuberant celebrations. The state has its unique festivities interspersed with a variety of traditions and religious rituals followed by people belonging to various tribes. Every religion has a festival to celebrate.

The variety of folk dances and songs lend vivid splashes of colour and music to the atmosphere that is already charged with excitement and flavored with a meaningful identity.

The Tarnetar Fair is one such festival held at the Tarnetar village. This small and otherwise calm village is situated in the 'Panchal' region of Gujarat. The Tarnetar fair is an annual festival denoting colour, vivacity, ebullience, prayers and rituals.

The annual fair commences every year during the Bhadarva Sud - 4th, 5th and 6th (Aug.-Sept) The tradition of this religious festival is believed to have begun before 200-250 years. Shri Mayashankar Zuza Pandya has written a book on the Tarnetar Festival describing the fair before 107 years.