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Location : Baneshwar, Rajasthan

Months of Celebration : Between the months of January and February

Period of Celebration : Four days

Duration of Opening of Temple : 5am to 11pm

Category : Religion

Upcoming Event : 14-18 Feb, 2011

How to reach there : Buses are available from Dungarpur and Udaipur. Take train from Banswara. One can take private taxi also.

Celebrated during Shivratri, Baneshwar Festival is a tribal event in which devotees from Rajasthan and the nearby states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh flock to Baneshwar Temple to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. According to the local dialect, the term "Baneshwar" stands for master of delta. Every year, the tribal devotees, most of whom are Bhils, visit Mahadeva Temple at Dungarpur to pay their reverence to Shiva Lingam. The Lingam is bathed with water and adorned with saffron and incense. In the evening, sacred offerings are performed.

Festival Attractions

Baneshwar Festival is celebrated with joy and gaiety by the tribal population. The festivities are marked by songs that are sung by Bhils in their rustic tones. Several animals and magic shows also form the part of the rapture. Folk dances and acrobatics performed by artists are enchanting. Children can enjoy joy rides like swings and giant wheel. Like other festivals, this cultural event involves selling of arts and artifacts that belong to different states. Main selling items are textiles, brassware and jewelry. The cultural gala also showcases several competitions and exhibitions.

Religious Significance
      
The festival is celebrated to honor Mahadeva i.e. Lord Shiva. Aje and Vaje, the disciples of Mavji built the temple at the confluence of Mahi and Som Rivers. Baneshwar Festival is a sacred event for Hindus; it is an epitome of the deep religious faith enshrined in the heart of devotees.