Baneshwar Mela Magh Purnima - Immersing Ashes Of Dead
Tribals especially the Bhil tribe perform the sacred ceremony of spreading the ashes in the Sangam or confluence of three rivers on the Magh Purnima day. The strong belief is that performing the sacred ceremony will help in the dead achieve moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The ashes are brought in earthen pots. The ashes of men are wrapped in white cloth while those of women in red color cloth. Elaborate rituals are performed as per Tribal tradition with the help of gurus and elders of the particular tribe. Then with their family, they enter the water and begin wailing. They stand in water and pay the last homage to the dead ones who left them during the previous year. After a cleaning bath, they put on fresh clothes and worship gods and goddesses then it is the turn of those pilgrims who do not bring any ashes to have a holy bath, recite mantras and perform rituals.
Baneshwar Shivling Story
Local history has it that, a cow used to return home to its master in the evening after grazing and it never produced any milk. The owner of the cow was curious to know the reason for the cow not giving milk. One day he followed the cow and saw it shedding milk in a particular spot. The owner got angry and ran towards the cow. The frightened cow began to run but it hit Shivling with its hind leg and broke it into five pieces. Since then the Khandit Lingam or broken Shivling is being worshipped here.
The shrine is open from 4:30 AM in the morning to 11:30 PM at night.
The current temple was built in 1453 CE by Aashkaranji, the Maharawal of Dungarpur. A Bhil Meena (tribal) was appointed as the priest of the temple.
Main Events During Baneshwar Fair
The Peethadheeshwar of Sabla, descendant of the Saint Mavji comes to Baneshwar, arrives in a palanquin in a huge colorful procession. Thousands of devotees join the procession. The silver murti of Mavji is brought on horseback from Maninda Math at Sabla to Baneshwar Dham.
Devotees get a chance to have the ‘darshan’ of the Mahant in Krishna Mandir for five days during the occasion. The new devotees are initiated and they wear ‘Kanthi’ on the neck. Rasleela is performed for devotees. Devotional songs about the legends associated with Mavji and his teachings are sung on the occasion. So also, about Mavji and Mehudi who are believed to be manifestations of Bhagavan Sri Krishna and Meera Bai.
The fair is famous for sale of tribal products including weapons such as spears, bows and arrows, swords, sickle, scythes and axes. Tribal agricultural products are also part of the fair.