Tarnetar Fair-Gujarat |
About: |
Tarnetar Fair, Gujarat is a popular fair in the state of Gujarat. This fair does not remain within the boundary of state but crosses it to reach the followers and the devotees. That shows the importance and the significance of the fiesta. The fair of Tarnetar bears mythological significances. Mahabharata, the epic of Hindus bears various significances of the fair and the place. The fair is the best place where tourists can experience the rich heritage of India and the colorful vivacity that lies in every celebration.
Based on the legend of Draupadi's swayamvara, this fair is a celebration of ethnic Gujarat’s folk-dance, music, costumes and the arts, centered around young tribal men and women seeking marriage partners. But even for those not interested in finding a spouse, the romance and excitement in the air are captivating, and every year the fair seems only to grow in popularity, attracting visitors and tourists from Gujarat, elsewhere in India, and even abroad. Here the many colorful costumes, glittering ornaments and free-spirited movements of folk dances, all combine to create a memorable scene. As the dancers surge in waves of circular movement, the incessant throbbing of the drums keeps them moving in unison, and the drum beats continue throughout the day even as the dancers change from one group to the next. Many kinds of folk dances are performed; by far the most popular is the raas, in which dancers hold sticks to clack against those of other dancers. As many as one to two hundred women perform rasadas in a single circle, to the beats of four drums at a time and the tunes of jodia pavas (double flutes). You may also see people break out into a spontaneous hudo. Rabari women of nearby Zalawad perform the famous circular folk dance called rahado. Their marital status is indicated clearly by their costumes; a black zimi (skirt) means she is married. But if a woman is wearing a red zimi, it means she has not yet tied the knot, probably seeking a husband. The potential husbands seeking brides are elegantly dressed in colorful dhotis, artistically designed waistcoats and a head-cloth twisted at an angle, moving about the fairground at Tarnetar with striking umbrellas, advertising the bachelorhood they are keen to relinquish. |
Location info: |
Address:Tarnetar , Surendranagar,Gujarat |
District: Surendranagar |
Nearest City: Surendranagar |
Best time to visit: Best time to visit: The fair tales place in the month of August-September. According to the local calendar the fourth, fifth and sixth days of Shukla Paksha of the month |
Climate/Weather: |
The land relief in Gujarat is low in most parts of the state, resulting in a great diversity in the climate of Gujarat India. Gujarat experiences mild, pleasant and dry winters, with average daytime temperatures ranging around 83 °F(29 °C) and night temperatures around 53 °F(12 °C). The summers are very hot and dry, with day temperatures rising up to around 105 °F(41 °C) and night temperatures dropping to 85 °F(29 °C). |
History: |
Legend says that this fair has been held here since antiquity. Its origin is linked with the story of Draupadi’s swayamvar, where the great archer Arjun performed the difficult task of piercing the eye of a rotating fish with an arrow, by only looking at its reflection in the water. Through this feat he won his bride Draupadi.
Historically speaking, this festival tradition is believed to have begun 200-250 years ago. The fair is held on the grounds of the temple of Triniteshwar Mahadev, which means "the three-eyed God." The old temple that used to stand in Tarnetar was ruined, but a new one was built by the Gaekwads of Vadodara in the 19th century, and is now the focal point of the festival. It stands on the bank of a rivulet and opens into a beautiful kund. It is locally believed that this site used to be the original course of the Ganga river at some point in history, so a dip in the temple tank is considered by pilgrims to be as auspicious as a swim in the holy Ganga. |
Importance of festival: |
The Tarnetar Fair is one of the most important fairs of Gujarat. Various tribes like the Kolis, the Rabaris, the Bharwards, the Khants, the Khanbis, the Charans and the Kathis, get together to celebrate the famous legendary marriage of Draupadi with Arjuna, thereby retracing its origin to the times of the Mahabharata. Arjuna was the third of the five Pandavas of Hastinapur, who got married to Draupadi - the princess of this region, in the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata.
The old Shiv temple is a marble temple located on the banks of a rivulet. The temple has a kund or a reservoir. According to legends, this place was originally the place where Draupadi’s 'swayamvara' was held.Tarnetar Fair of Gujarat is a popular husband-hunt fair. During this fair young women with colorful dress walk through the Tarnetar Fair and choose their groom among the young men who assemble under gorgeously embroidered umbrellas. |
Method of Celebration: |
Rhythm of Folk: The beauty of this fair is in its impulsiveness with which the people joyously break into folk songs and folk dances to the rhythmic accompaniments of drums and an assortment of folk instruments. The young, men and women, swing and sway in gay abandon to the throbbing rhythm of the 'ras garba' and the 'hudo' dance. Lively folk songs and dances-garba, ras, hudo and the rasada, the captivating folk dance performed by hundreds of women moving gracefully in a single circle, dancing to the accompaniment of drums and flutes are the special attractions of the fair, besides the wonderful Tarnetar "Chhatris" - umbrellas with intricate embroidery and mirror work. There are also exhibitions of rural handicrafts, a cattle show, and competitive sports.
The most thrilling sight of all is the 'rasada', the fascinating folk dance performed by hundreds of women, moving gracefully in a single circle. Dancing gaily to the accompaniment of four drums and 'jodia pava' (double flutes.) their gorgeous traditional costumes and captivating dances makes the Tarnetar Fair a unique synthesis of folk art.An added attraction of the fair is the lively folk dance performances such as ras-garba and hudo dance and the rasada, the fascinating folk dance performed by hundreds of women. Tarnetar Chhatri: Ras Garba Style of Dance: |
Mobile range info: |
How to reach? |
Nearest Railway Station:Surendranagar railway sation |
Nearest Airport:Rajkot,airport |
Road Transport:Tarnetar is close to the town of Surendranagar, 59 kms away. Rajkot is 75 kms and Jamnagar is about 162 kms away. It is also not difficult to plan a journey to Kutch from here. |
Culture of festivities: |
The special feature of the fair primarily created to fulfil social needs for members of Bharwad community, is that their matrimonial alliances are struck here (hence the reason for gorgeous traditional costumes worn by the people), a time-honoured ritual that is still practised. The temple courtyard resounds with devotional music.
This fair is primarily a 'marriage mart' or 'Swayamvar' for the tribal youth of today who still visit Tarnetar, to find them a suitable bride. The tribal youth elegantly dressed in colourful dhotis, waistcoats and eye-catching turbans come to be chosen by village belles dressed in colourful finery.The fair is a kind of marriage market for the local tribals - the Kolis, Bharwads and Rabaris who visit Tarnetar to find suitable brides. Tradition holds that if the girl stops to talk to one of the men, it is a sign that she has found the man of her choice. The Tarnetar fair in Saurashtra represents a unique synthesis of folk music, folk art and colour. It highlights the true folk nature of the fair with folk dances like the Rasada (a Gujarati folk dance), performed by hundreds of women moving gracefully in a single circle to the accompaniment of four drums and jodja pava (double flutes). People are mesmerised by the number of bhajan mandalis (group of devotees singing songs in praise of the Lord) singing bhajans and kirtans (devotional songs) to the tune of folk instruments such as khartals, pakhawaj, dhol and tabla (a range of Indian percussion instruments). |
Nearest Visiting places: |
Wankaner: Wankaner located 50 km north of Rajkot was the capital of the former princely state of Wankaner till Indian Independence. In Gujarati "Wanka" means bend and "Ner" means water stream, thus the place derives its name from its geographical location as it is located on the bend of the Machchhu river. The place is an archaeology classroom in itself with palaces and bungalows. Most of the palaces around here have been converted into heritage hotels. The place even has a step well, which was the last one to be built in Gujarat.
Matel: Chotila Hill: One can easily reach Chotila within one and a half hours from Ahmedabad by the national highway passing through the entire State of Gujarat. As soon as you reach Chotila, you will find a number of shops that sell prasads of Mataji, various types of Gujarati souvenirs like thick bangles with engraving, CDS and DVDS of Chamunda Mataji, and many toys for all ages of children. There are thousands of such shops located at the base of the Chotila hill. You can start your climb from the base after walking some distance. There are stone steps up to the top of the hill. Good tree cover and railings cover the entire walkway providing comfort to all the pilgrims. This destination is most visited during the Navaratri festival. Kaba Gandhi No Delo: Watson Museum: Rotary Midtown Doll’s Museum: Aji Dam Garden: Ishwariya Temple: Jubilee Garden: Swaminarayan Temple: The central figure of The Swaminarayan Temple at Rajkot in Gujarat in India is the Lord Swaminarayan. The idol set in the temple is a white idol of Lord Swaminarayan, beautifully clad in gorgeous cloth. The Swaminarayan temple follows some philosophical guidelines as set by the BAPS. They try to understand the five basic eternal units which comprises of Jiva, Ishwar, Maya, Brahman and Parabrahman. |
Nearest Petrol pumps: |
Petrol Bunk:Wankaner,Rajkot,Gujarat,India
Royal Oasis And Residency:Wankaner,Rajkot,Gujarat,India,ph:02828 220001 |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
Rann Riders Safari Resort:Surendranagar,Dasada,Gujarat,India,MO:09925236014
Avantika Hotel:Limbdi,Surendranagar,Gujarat,India,Ph:02753 260794 |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:100 |
Nearest Hospital: Gandhi Hospital:SH 20,Surendra Nagar,Gujarat,India RR. Hospital:Limbdi,Surendranagar,Gujarat,India |
Society/Community Phone Number: |
Link:www.indianholiday.com |
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Tarnetar Fair |
Tarnetar Fair Gujarat is a popular fair in the state of Gujarat. This fair does not remain within the boundary of state but crosses it to reach the followers and the devotees. That shows the importance and the significance of the fiesta. The fair of Tarnetar bears mythological significances. Mahabharata the epic of Hindus bears various significances of the fair and the place. The fair is the best place where tourists can experience the rich heritage of India and the colorful vivacity that lies in every celebration. Based on the legend of Draupadi swayamvara, this fair is a celebration of ethnic Gujarat folk dance, music, costumes and the arts, centered around young tribal men and women seeking marriage partners. But even for those not interested in finding a spouse, the romance and excitement in the air are captivating, and every year the fair seems only to grow in popularity, attracting visitors and tourists from Gujarat, elsewhere in India, and even abroad....more |