| The Shamlaji Melo, also called the Kartik
Purnima fair is held in the month of November every year
and lasts for about two weeks. It is attended by almost
two hundred thousand people from adjoining districts and
even from Rajasthan.
THE VENUE:
The Shamlaji Temple is a renowned Vaishnav Shrine and
the deity housed here is known by various names included
'Gadadhar' (bearer of the mace) and 'Shaksi Gopal'.
The temple is of great archaeological significance as
it was built in the 11th century. Apart from a darshan
of the deity in the temple, the pilgrims consider a
bath in the river Meshwo essential
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THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE:
Devotees belonging to various castes and communities
including the 'Garasias' and 'Bhils' throng this festival.
These pilgrims come in groups, singing devotional songs
and carry religious banners to have an audience of the
deity at the Shamlaji Temple.
The fair is also popular with the tribal people of
the area, particularly the Bhils, who revere Shamlaji,
the deity they refer to as 'Kalio Bavji', the dark divinity. |
