Nagaur Fair

Nagaur Cattle fair

Nagaur Fair -The Jodhpur Nagaur fair or Ramdeoji Cattle fair is infact a cattle fair, the second largest in Rajasthan . Nagaur fair is founded by the great Jodhpur Dynasty king Mr. Umed Singh in honour of Sh. Ramdeoji 56 years back and since then it has been held regularly.  The fair goes on for eight days. Nagaur Fair of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is held every year during the month of Jan-Feb.

It is popularly known as the Cattle fair of Nagaur. This is because the Nagaur Fair is mainly all about trading of animals.

The Nagaur Fair is held in charming Rajput town- Nagaur, located between Jodhpur and Bikaner.

The Nagaur Fair is held in the month of January-February every year and continues for four days starting on Magh Shukla Saptmi. Every year about 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses are bought and sold in this fair.

The Nagaur Fair is an attraction for tourists. It magnetise visitors from all over the world, who come to see the trading of camels, cattle and horses by their owners dressed in colourful and beautiful attire.

The picturesque sight of people dressed in beautiful dresses and participating locals and tourists in sports is worth capturing with camera.

Nagaur district is the land of fairs. They are not only a hub to sale and buy cattles but also show the true spirit of living life. The rural people take on these fairs as big social events; thus participate in these fairs very eagerly with great enthusiasm.

In addition to the cattle things that are of routine use even from needles to nails are available in these events. Fairs witness strong social harmony and are seen as the true expression of rustic rural Rajasthan.

Shopping:
Animals that come for being sold in this fair are magnificently garlanded and decorated with loads of accessories to provide a vibrant look to them by their owners. The owners in colourful turban and long moustaches keeps themselves busy in selling cows, bullocks, oxen, horses and camels and are seen conversing and bargaining with the buyers.

The Nagauri bull is the most attractive buy besides camels, horses, bullocks, buffalos, goat & sheep. Traders from all over the country gather here and participate actively to vie with each other in purchasing high pedigree animals.

The fair provides an opportunity to see real Rajasthan, rural folk in colourful traditional dresses & turbans in a rural ambience.

In addition to exhibition of animals and their trading, the fair is also popular for its Mirchi Bazaar, which is biggest in India. The Mirchi bazaar in Nagaur fair is a place to market red chilly.Wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories and many other things are also sold here.

Celebrations:
Amid of business activities, the visitors indulge themselves into exciting sports to enjoy riveting activities at the fair. The major sports held at the fair include tug-of-war, camel races, bullock races and cockfights. The jugglers; puppeteers, storytellers and campfire evenings make it a life time experience. The silence of desert is broken by the musical notes of the folk music of region. The scene of sun sinking below the horizon and the sand dunes glittering in the twilight is worth watching.

Pushkar Fair

Also known as Pushkar ka Mela, Pushkar Cattle Fair, is the world's largest camel fair held in the holy town of Pushkar in Rajasthan. Competitions such as the "Matka Phod", "moustache", and "bridal competition" are the main attractions of the Pushkar camel fair which attracts thousands of tourists. A spotlight of one's holiday in India, the festival hosts around 50,000 camels which are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. From a mere 14,000 to a massive 200,000! This is how the population of Pushkar swells during the Pushkar camel festival. 

History & Legends:

Puskar has has the only temple of Lord Brahma in the country. Myth says that Lord Brahma was on his way to search for a suitable place to perform a 'Yagna' (a fire sacrifice) while contemplating, a lotus fell from his hand on the earth and water sprouted from that place. One of them was Pushkar where Lord Brahma performed "Yagna". Worship of Brahma was considered highly important at the end of the first millennium BC. The holy lake has 52 ghats and pilgrim taking a ritual dip in the lake is a common sight. Although a serene town, Pushkar bustles with life during the joyous celebration held on Kartik Purnima. Every year thousands of devotees throng the Pushkar lake around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima in October-November to take a holy dip in the lake. Huge and colourful cattle fair "The Pushkar Fair", is also held during this time. Pushkar cattle fair is well-known for it's camel trading and other attractive activities. 

Cultural Significance:

Umpteen number of traders gather here and and set up shops. These traders sell a lot of products like woolen blankets of Merta, bead necklaces of Nagaur, textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur etc. Saddles, ropes, and assorted household items are also on sale. Cultural shows and exhibitions are also organized in this fair to enliven the event. Movies are shown, competitions are arranged, bards and poets recite and sing tales of valour and heroism of bygone days. Animal races and other competitions also add the attraction. 

Why visit the Pushkar Fair?

It is the world's largest Camel Fair.

You’ll visit the only Brahma Temple in the world.

You’ll see the Holy Pushkar Lake with 52 ghats surrounding it.

Pushkar offers around 400 temples to see.

You can participate in numerous cultural activities

Ethnic shopping items from all over the state are on sale.

It’s a rare combination of religious fervour and cultural vibrancy in Rajasthan.

You can interact with tribal folks and understand their culture.

Kumbh Mela

One of the greatest Hindu religious occasions, the Kumbh Mela is held after every four years and is of great spiritual significance for the Hindus in India.

The Kumbh Mela is not a single event that is organised at regular intervals. While the Kumbh Mela is normally held after every four years, the Purna Kumbh Mela falls after every 12 years and is of greater importance than the Kumbh Mela. As per ancient Hindu mythology, some planets that are believed to affect the destiny of the human race align every 12 years and the Purna Kumbh Mela is held exactly during the time of this powerful planetary alignment. The Purna Kumbha is organised by turns at Haridwar in Uttar Pradesh, Prayag( near Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh, Nasik in Maharastra and Ujjaini in Madhya Pradesh. The site for every Purna Kumbh is decided by the ascetics who jointly study the planetary positions and agree upon the location of observance. The Ardh Kumbha Mela(Half Kumbha Mela) is held after every six years or halfway between two Purna kumbh Melas; hence the name.

But the most important Kumbh Mela is the Maha Kumbh Mela(Great Kumbh Mela), that periodically falls every 144 years or after 12 Purna Kumbh Melas, and is held at Allahabad. A rarest of rare occassion, the Maha Kumbh Mela is looked upon by most Hindus as a once in a lifetime occassion that one can attend only with great fortune.

The Maha Kumbh Mela (Great Kumbh Mela) is organised at Prayag which is located near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. During this time, millions of devotees converge here to take a ceremonial dip in the Triveni Sangam - the confluence of the three great rivers Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati meet. It is accepted to be the spot where four drops of the sacred nectar had fallen during the battle between the Devas (demigods) and Asuras(demons) over the Amrit-Kumbh(pot of nectar). The place is attended by millions of people who perform rituals here and also a take a ritual bath. The bathing is done in the open with complete submersion of the body under water and performing an oblation to the sun.

Religious Hindus attach great importance to this bathing ceremony and it forms the most important ritual of the Maha Kumbh Mela as also of the other Kumbh Melas. According to a popular legend, Lord Brahma (the God of Creation in Hindu Mythology) once proclaimed that taking a dip in the holy River Ganga can liberate mankind from its sins. The Hindus believe that bathing in the sacred waters at the Kumbh Mela will purge them and their ancestors back to the eighty-eighth generation off all evil and sin. This would make them suitable to attain moksha (salvation) from the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

The inner significance of this ritual bath lies in understanding the true implication of the Samudra-Manthan episode. The "amrit" or nectar implies the divine knowledge and strength that lies within each of us. The churning of the ocean symbolizes that each of us must judiciously churn our own inner self to gain this knowledge.

The other important activities associated to the Maha Kumbh Mela include singing of bhajans (devotional songs), discussions on religious matters, mass feeding of holy men and women and the poor, and gatherings where religious doctrines are debated and determined.

The recent Maha Kumbh Mela was held in 2001 at Prayag, the holiest of the four spots where the sacred drops of amrit are said to have fallen. This was the first Maha Kumbh of the 21st century and also of this millennium. The grand religious congregation was attended by around 60 million people, consisting of men, women and children, thousands of sadhus (monks) and also more than 65,000 foreigners from abroad (curious to get a glimpse of this grand affair). The astounding number of the total people gathered makes the Maha Kumbh Mela 2001 the largest gathering anywhere in the history of the world till date.

Why Kumbh Mela ?

Kumbh Mela - The Largest Congregation of Humanity :

Kumbh Mela is the largest concentration of religious gathering in the world. Held once in 12 years this festival is a must visit during a trip to India.

Take a Dip Make a Wish:

If you go by the Hindu mythologies, then this is the only time and place in the world where you can unburden your sins and achieve 'Nirvana' from the vicious cycle of birth and re birth. Take dips in the holy water of Ganges that is said to wash away all the sins of a person. Light a Diya and make a wish, they do come true!

Sojourn on the Ashrams on the Banks:

To live among the Sadhus, who have dedicated their entire lives in meditation and fulfilling spiritual deeds is indeed a unique experience of life. In Haridwar there are many such Ashrams where tourists can stay to enjoy the life of a saint besides indulging into various Yoga and Meditation regimes.

Surrender to Peaceful Activities:

Taking dips three times in a day, attending yoga classes, listening to the divine lectures and participating in the cultural programmes are just a few of the activities that one can enjoy during the famous Kumbh Mela in Haridwar. Travel to Haridwar and experience the inexperienced.

Significance of Kumbh Mela:

Kumbh Mela is not just a mere festivity like Diwali and Holi, but holds lot of importance for people in India. People look up to Kumbh Mela with highest regard, as this event gives them a golden opportunity to liberate themselves from the miseries and sufferings of life. It enables them to take a holy dip in the sacred water and wash away all the sins they have committed in the past. People come from different parts of the country to be a part of this sacred ceremony. It is believed that taking a holy dip in water paves way for attainment of Moksha.

Rig Veda has a mention about the significance of convergence of river Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati at Prayag or Sangam.

References can be found about the significance of this ritual in Varaha Purana and Matsya Purana as well. There is a belief that the ashram of the learned Bharadvaja, where Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita lived at the time of their exile, was situated at Sangam. It is said that a number of saints including the great Shankaracharya and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Sangam and observed the Kumbh Mela. The great Indian epics such the Ramayana and Mahabharata have mentioned that a yagna was conducted by Lord Brahma at Sangam.

Sacred Bath in Kumbh Mela:

Bathing in the holy river on the auspicious occasion of Kumbh Mela is the most important activity for millions of people in India. A large tented city is erected and pilgrims stay at tents owned by Pandas (religious and spiritual guides) and at various ashrams. Others will just camp on the ground or turn up for the actual bathing day. Some of these bathing days are designated "royal," and it is on these days that the naga sadhus (naked mendicants) parade and bathe. On other days there will still be people bathing and other events and random processions.

Rituals Performed at the Kumbh Mela:

The main ritual performed at that Kumbh Mela is the ritual bath. Hindus believe that submerging themselves in the sacred waters on the most auspicious day of the new moon will absolve them and their ancestors of sin, thus ending the cycle of rebirth. Pilgrims start lining up to bathe from around 3 a.m. on this day.

As the sun comes up, the different groups of sadhus move in procession towards the river to bathe. The Nagas usually lead, while each group tries to outdo the others with more grandeur and fanfare. The moment is magical, and everyone is absorbed in it.

After bathing, the pilgrims wear fresh clothes and proceed to worship by the river bank. They then walk around listening to discourses from the various sadhus.

What are the Allahabad Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 Dates?

Every day during the Mela is auspicious for bathing. However, the dates that have special significance and are thus the most auspicious, are as follows:

• Sunday January 27, 2013 (Paush Purnima)

• Wednesday February 6, 2013 (Ekadashi Snan)

• Sunday February 10, 2013 (Mauni Amavasya Snan)

• Friday February 15, 2013 (Basant Panchami Snan)

• Sunday February 17, 2013 (Rath Saptami Snan)

• Thursday February 21, 2013 (Bhisma Ekadashi Snan)

• Monday February 25, 2013 (Maghi Purnima Snan)

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

Mahakaleshwar-Jyotirlinga

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one among twelve Jyotirlingams, which are supposed to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is located in the ancient city of Ujjain in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India and is situated on the side of the Rudra Sagar lake. 

The temple is situated on the side of the Rudra Sagar lake. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and invested with mantra-shakti. The temple complex was destroyed by Sultan Iltutmish during his raid of Ujjain in 1234-5.The present structure was built by the Srimant Raanojirao Shinde Maharaj Scindias in 1736 AD. Later on , further developments and management was done by Following Rulers :
1. Shreenath Mahadji Shinde Maharaj also known as Madhavrao The First(14.01.1761 - 13.Feb.1794) 
2. Srimant Maharani Bayzabai Raje Shinde (1827–1863) In the regime of Maharaja Shrimant Jayaajirao Saheb Shinde Alijah Bahadur till 1886 various major programs of the then Gwalior Riyasat used to be held at this Mandir. After Independence the Dev Sthan Trust was replaced by Municipal corporation of Ujjain. Now a days it is under the collectorate. The Temple The idol of Mahakaleshwar is known to be dakshinamurti, which means that it is facing the south. This is a unique feature, upheld by the tantric shivnetra tradition to be found only in Mahakaleshwar among the 12 Jyotirlingas. The idol of Omkareshwar Mahadev is consecrated in the sanctum above the Mahakal shrine. The images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya are installed in the west, north and east of the sanctum sanctorum. To the south is the image of Nandi, the vehicle of Lord Shiva. The idol of Nagchandreshwar on the third storey is open for darshan only on the day of Nag Panchami. The temple has five levels, one of which is underground. The temple itself is located in a spacious courtyard surrounded by massive walls near a lake. The shikhar or the spire is adorned with sculptural finery. Brass lamps light the way to the underground sanctum. It is believed that prasada (holy offering) offered here to the deity can be re-offered unlike all other shrines. According to the Puranas, the city of Ujjain was called Avantika and was famous for its beauty and its devotional epicenter. It was also one of the primary cities where students went to study holy scriptures. According to legend, there was a ruler of Ujjain called Chandrasen, who was a pious devotee of Lord Shiva and worshipped him all the time. One day, a farmer's boy named Shrikhar was walking on the grounds of the palace and heard the King chant the Lord's name and rushed to the temple to start praying with him. However, the guards removed him by force and sent him to the outskirts of the city near the river Kshipra. Rivals of Ujjain, primarily King Ripudaman and Kind Singhaditya of the neighboring kingdoms decided to attack the Kingdom and take over its treasures around this time. Hearing this, Shrikhar started to pray and the news spread to a priest named Vridhi. 

He was shocked to hear this and upon the urgent pleas of his sons, he started to pray to Lord Shiva inside the river Kshipra. The Kings chose to attack and were successful; with the help of the powerful demon Dushan, who was blessed by Lord Brahma to be invisible, they plundered the city and attacked all the devotees of Lord Shiva. Upon hearing the pleas of His helpless devotees, Lord Shiva appeared in his Mahakal form and destroyed the enemies of King Chandrasen. Upon the request of his devotees Shrikhar and Vridhi, Lord Shiva agreed to reside in the city and become the chief deity of the Kingdom and take care of it against its enemies and to protect all His devotees. From that day on, Lord Shiva resided in His light form as Mahakal in a Lingam that was formed on its own from the powers of the Lord and His consort, Parvati. The Lord also blessed his devotees and declared that people who worshipped Him in this form would be free from the fear of death and diseases. Also, they would be granted worldly treasures and be under the protection of the Lord himself. 

Historic glory of Ujjain:

The Adyapeetha i.e., is the foundation of Sanskrit learning, ethics, knowledge or science and art had their initiation at this place. It is indeed the Triveni Sangam or learning of the three great things. The greatness of Ujjain city was enhanced by the Maurya kings as well as other dynasties. The great emperor Vikramaditya who began new era by starting a new way of counting the years, made Ujjain his capital.

It is here that Raja Bhartrihari wrote his great epics (love stories) Virat Katha, neeti Sataka, the love story of Pradyot Princess Vasavadatta and Udayan. The beauty of this city found a pride of place in the descriptions of a great many poets and writers who song its praise. At the auspicious time at dawn, the women of this town sprinkled vermillion water in their courtyards and decorated them with Rangoli designs.

In the Mahakal Shiv temple located in Ujjain on the banks of River Kshipra, at 4 AM puja is performed. After Abhishek, Chitabhasm (Ash of cemetery) is applied all over Mahakal.

According to classics, Chitabhasm (human ash) is considered as unholy and inauspicious. If any one even touches it by mistake, one is required to bathe in order to be purified. But this very ash becomes holy, by merely touching the body of Mahakal, because Siva is Nishkam or lust-less. He is not touched by material desires. That is why Shiva is Mangalmay or auspicious. 

The greatness of Shiva is described in this Sloka, thus:

“shmashAneshhvAkrIDA smarahara pishAchAH sahacharaaH

chitAbhasmAlepaH sragapi nR^ikaroTI parikaraH |

amaN^galyaM shIlaM tava bhavatu nAmaivamakhilaM 

tathApi smartR^INAM varada paramaM maN^galamasi || ”.

Thus Shiva is auspicious and beautiful. Avanti Nagar is Shiva’s favorite town. Those who visit the Mahakal temple and take a darshan, will never be touched by sorrows even in their dreams. Those who pray for whatever they desire to the Mahakal JyotirLinga would be granted all his/her wishes. They would attain salvation.

How to Reach Ujjain :

Ujjain by Train:

Ujjain Junction Railway Station is an important railway station in Western railway zone. It is well connected to all major railway stations in India. Direct train services are available to Bhopal, Indore, Pune, Malwa, Delhi and many other cities.

Ujjain by Air:

Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore is the nearest airport to Ujjain, which is situated 55 km away. Indore is air connected to major cities in India by public and private domestic airlines. Indore is connected to places like Jaipur, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Bhopal and Chennai. Taxi services are available from Indore airport to Ujjain, costing about Rs 1000. International travelers can get connecting flights to Indore from Delhi (800 km) or Mumbai (655 km) airport.

Mallikarjuna temple

The temple of Lord Mallikarjuna is situated in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is situated in the town of Srisailam on the banks of River Patalganga Krishna. Srisailam mountain is looked upon reverentially as the Kailash of South. The temple situated here is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is among the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. The temple sculptures narrate in stone, epics from thre great Hindu epics-Ramayana nand Mahabharata.This temple is considered very holy and is dedicated to Mallikarjuna Swamy and Bhramaramba. One unique feature of the temple is that all the devotees who visit the temple are allowed to touch the idol which is not prevalent in any other temple. The temple is located at a distance of 245 km from Hyderabad. The Sree Sailam temple has rich sculptural work, fort like walls and towers. The temple is built in Dravidian style. According to popular legends, the religious leader had visited the temple and had composed his famous Sivananda Lahiri. It is also believed that Goddess Durga had taken the form of a bee and worshiped Lord Shiva here and selected this holy place as her abode. 

Legends :-

According to Shiva Purana, when Shri Ganesh was married of before Kartikeya, Kartikeya became angry. Despite being stopped and consoled by his parents Shiv-Parvati, he went away to the Kraunch Mountain. Even the Gods went and tried consoling Kartikeya, but all their efforts were in vain. Shiv-Parvati were very sad and both decided go to the Kraunch mountain themselves. When Kartikeya came to know that his mother-father have arrived he went away. Eventually Lord Shiva assumed the form of Jyotirlinga and resided on that mountain by the name of Mallikarjuna. Mallika means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva. In this way both Shiva and Parvati reside in this linga. The people who visit this Jyotirlinga are emancipated from all their sins and fulfill all their desires. It is for the welfare and well being of one and all. Another legend says Once, a princess named Chandravati decided to go to the Jungles to do penance and meditation. She chose Kadali Vana for this purpose. One day, she witnessed a miracle. A Kapila cow was standing under a Bilwa tree and milk was flowing from all of its four udders, sinking into the ground. The cow kept doing this as a routine chore everyday. Chandravati dug up that area and was dumb founded at what she saw.

There was a self-raising Swayambhu Shivlinga. It was bright and shining like the sun rays, and looked like it was burning, throwing flames in all directions. Chandravati prayed to Shiva in this Jyotirlinga. She built a huge Shiva Temple there. Lord Shiva was very pleased with her. Chandravati went to Kailash wind borne. She received salvation and Mukti. On one of the stone-inscriptions of the temple, Chandravati’s story can be seen carved out. 

Kaasyanatu Maranaanmuktihi Smarana Darunachale||

Darsana Deva Sri Saile Punarjanma Na Vidyate||

Sri Saila Sikharam Drushtwa Punarjanma Na Vidyate||

Meaning: By facing death in Kasi, reciting Bhagavannama in Arunachalam and just visiting Sri Saila Ksetra, men are attaining salvation or Mukti.

Architecture of Shri Mallikarjun Temple (THE SANCTUM ) :

The sanctum enshrining Lord Mallikarjuna is a shell-like structure. The Mukhamandapa is a well-sculptured pillared hall in Vijayanagar style. Nandi, Shiva’s mount, is enshrined in a separate mandapa. There are smaller shrines for Nataraja and Sahasra Linga. The Sahasra Linga is an interesting aspect . The main Linga is divided into 25 facets, each of them again representing 40 Lingas, making a total of 1,000 Lingas. A three-hooded cobra is carved as entwined round the Linga. Another Linga of Mallikarjuna under a Vata vriksha (tree) is considered the original Linga. 

Slightly away from these shrines is the sanctum of Goddess Bhramarambika, the consort of Mallikarjuna. The Goddess is believed to have assumed the form of a bee and worshipped Shiva here. Adi Shankara had visited the temple and sung in praise of Lord Mallikarjuna in his famous hymn Shivananda Lahari and of the Goddess in Bhramarambika Ashtakam.  

Theetham :

The Krishna river, which flows four km away from the shrine, is the holy Theertham known as PaathaalaGanga. Devotees take a dip here and carry holy water uphill to perform abhisheka for the Lord. A shrine dedicated to Lord Umamaheshwara is situated on way to the Theertham.

Puja Timings:

 6.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m., 6.00 - 8.30 p.m.

How to reach ?

By Road : Srisailam is well connected by State buses from all the important towns in A.P.

By Rail : The nearest rail head is Nandyal on Guntur-Hubli road at a distance of 158 km. But people prefer going to Hyderabad or Secunderabad and then travel by bus or car.

By Air : The nearest airport to Srisailam is Hyderabadat a distance of 237 km.