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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. |
