Banswara Villag Tour

Banswara village sandwiched between Udaipur and Chittorgarh city.  The village acquired its name from the Hindi word ‘Bans’ which means bamboo trees that are found in abundance in this village.  Often referred to as a tribal village, Banswara is the home to ‘Bhils’ community. The village has a palace of a former Banswara ruler. The village mainly constitutes of a thick and dense jungle which is inhabited with different trees like that of mango, Kahjur, and Mahua along with large and varied wildlife such as panthers, lizards, squirrels, grey shrike, grey patridge, green bee eater, jungle crow, wood pecker, and black drongo among many others. A visit to the Banswara village can also be a trip to the wildlife of this area.

Home to the tribal with Bhils constituting half of the total populations Banswara has its name derived from Bans or bamboo trees, which once grew here in abundance. Maharawal Jamal Singh founded the erstwhile state. With Udaipur and Chittorgarh, forming its boundaries, the district presently comprises of the territories of former Banswara State and the Chieftainship of Kushalgarh. While the central and western portion of the district are fertile plains, the scattered ranges of the Aravali form the eastern region. The ancient town is surrounded by a stone wall, now in ruins. A palace of a former ruler of Banswara stands overlooking the town. The teak forests are found on the slopes of the Aravalli hills. Mango, Khajur and Mahua trees are also a part of the vegetation of the district. Banswara has rich wildlife including squirrels, lizards, snakes, chinkara, ronj and four horned antelope. Panthers can be seen rarely. The avian variety includes the black drongo, grey shirke, green bee-eater, parrot, jungle crow, wood pecker and common myna. Grey jungle fowl and grey partridge are generally spotted in the remote parts of the forests.

WORSHIP AND OFFERINGS
The temple of Baneshwar Mahadev remains open from 5.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. during the fair. In the morning, saffron is applied to the Shivlinga after it is bathed and an 'aarti' of burning incense is waved before it. In the evening, 'bhabhut' (ash) is applied to the Linga and an 'aarti' with a fine-wick lamp is waved. Devotees offer wheat flour, pulses, rice, jaggery, ghee, salt, chillies, coconut and cash.

Prayers are offered five times a day in the temples of Lakshmi -Narayan and Brahma. Brass gongs are struck at the time of 'aarti'. During the fair, 'aarti' of Mathadhish is also performed and Raslila takes place at night in the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Offerings, similar to those at the Baneshwar Temple, are made at these shrines too.

CULTURAL PROGRAMMES
The Bhils attending Baneshwar Fair sing traditional folk songs in high pitched voices sitting around a bonfire every night. Cultural shows are arranged by youngsters of the clan. Groups of villagers are also invited to participate in the programme.

The fair resounds with the gaiety of songs, folk dances, magic shows, animal shows and acrobatic feats. Adding to the excitement are the joy rides on merry-go-rounds and swings. The large number of shops in the fair provides an opportunity for buying and selling of essential goods and fancy articles.

How To Get There
By Road : The fair site is at a distance of 6.5 kms from Sabla, a village on the Udaipur-Banswara-Dungarpur bus route, which is at a distance of 123 kms. from Udaipur, 53 kms. from Banswara, 45 kms. from Dungarpur and 22 kms. from Aspur, the Tehsil headquarters. On normal days, one has to reach Sabla from Baneshwar on foot or on private carts. However, buses go right up to the bank of the river Som during the fair.