The Kaila Devi Mela is an annual fair held in honor of Kaila Devi, a revered deity in Rajasthan, India. The shrine of Kaila Devi is famous for the fair held here every year. The temple is situated on the banks of the Kalisil River in Karauli district of Rajasthan on the Trikut hills, 2 km from Kaila village. The official name for Kaila Devi is Lahura. The erstwhile princely rulers of Karauli state used to believe that Kaila Devi protects their state from any kind of invasion.
The fair takes place in Kaila village in Karauli district, Rajasthan. The Kaila Devi temple is situated on the banks of the Kalisil River, in the Trikut hills of the Aravalli range. The Mela is usually held in the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to March-April in the Gregorian calendar. It lasts for about a fortnight.
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The famous Kaila Devi fair is held during the Krishna Paksh of chaitra and runs throughout the fortnight starting from 12th day of Chaitra Badi. According to the Gregorian calendar, the fair happens to be in March or April. This fair is held in honor of the deity Kaila Devi who is believed to be a form of Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Chamunda, the goddess of death. Animals are sacrificed outside the temple to propitiate the goddess.
Kaila Devi Mela is a significant religious fair held in honor of Kaila Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Durga. It takes place in the Kaila Devi Temple, located in the Karauli district of Rajasthan, India. The fair typically occurs during the Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar, which usually falls in March or April.
Key Highlights:
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Pilgrimage and Rituals: Devotees from various parts of India, especially Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, visit the temple to seek blessings. Many undertake a pilgrimage on foot, known as "Charans," walking long distances to the temple.
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Bhajans and Kirtans: The mela features devotional songs and music, creating a vibrant and spiritual atmosphere. Devotees often participate in night-long singing sessions, praising the goddess.
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Market and Stalls: The fair also includes a market where vendors sell various goods, including religious items, handicrafts, and local specialties.
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Cultural Programs: In addition to religious activities, the fair often hosts cultural performances, showcasing the local traditions and folk arts of Rajasthan.
Many devotees undertake a rigorous journey to the temple, often traveling on foot from distant places. Some even cover the distance by laying prostrate on the ground, symbolizing their devotion and seeking blessings. The fair also has a vibrant marketplace where local artisans and traders sell handicrafts, souvenirs, traditional Rajasthani attire, and food items. The atmosphere is festive, with the sights, sounds, and aromas reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
It is one of the most acclaimed fairs of Rajasthan. Kaila goddess is worshiped as the guardian deity by the Yadavas, the Khinchis, and the princess of Karauli. There is a small temple of Bhairon and that of Lord ‘Hanuman’ called Languriya facing the Kaila Devi s shrine in the courtyard of Kaila Devi temple. Thousands of devotees from all the communities visit the place throughout the year. The fair attracts a lot of pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi and Haryana too.
Over 2 lakh pilgrims visit the place during the Kailadevi fair. Some of the devotees take this harsh journey without eating food and taking rest. The dances and singing tribal men of Mina community makes the atmosphere lively.
The fair is a major religious event, attracting devotees from various parts of India. Kaila Devi is considered an incarnation of the goddess Durga, and the temple is a significant pilgrimage site. Devotees participate in various religious rituals, including singing devotional songs (bhajans), performing aarti (a ritual of worship with light), and making offerings to the goddess. The fair also features cultural performances, traditional music, and dance.
The Village and Temple
Kela Devi is also called Kalia Mata. Earlier the village was named Kalia after a sadhu called Kedar Giri who lived on the of the river Kali Sil.
Maharaja Gopal Singh of Yadava clan built a big and beautiful temple with dome whose apex was made from gold. Maharaja Bhanwarpal fabricated many buildings and the area soon acquired immense popularity for its sacredness and scenic charm.
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Rituals
The devotees offer cash, coconuts, kajal (kohl), tikki (vermilion), sweets and bangles to the goddess which they bring along with themselves. The sight of performing the popular ritual of Kanak-Dandoti by the staunch devotees is quite thrilling. They cover a distance of 15 to 20 kms. to the temple lying level to the ground and making lines with their hands and moves ahead along the line drawn until they reach the temple. While some eat food and take rest during the journey, others don’t care about hunger and rest and endure the asperities of the ritual. Successors of Goli Bhagat, a great devotee of Kaila Devi, come from Agra to carry out his tradition of paying reverence at the shrine.
Large numbers of shops were set up which sell a variety of local articles. The dance performances of happiness and singing of songs in the praise of the deities by tribal men of Mina community lend the gaiety to the environment.
इस आर्टिकल को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें