Beneshwar Fair 2025 | 12 Feb 2025

Why in News? 

Beneshwar Fair was organised from 8 to 12 February 2025 at Beneshwar Dham in Dungarpur district of Rajasthan. 

Key Points  

  • About the fair: 
    • Beneshwar Fair is an annual festival held in the months of January or February, dedicated to Baneshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva).  
    • On this holy occasion Bhils travel from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to take a dip at the confluence of the Mahi and Som rivers.  
      •  This fair showcases the rich tribal culture of the Bhils and is called the “Kumbh Mela of Tribals”.  
  • Cultural programs and sports:  
    • During the Beneshwar fair, many cultural and sports programs were organized by the district administration, tourism department and tribal development department.  
    • Archery, volleyball, tug of war, women's matka race, bhajan group, turban tying competitions were organised.  

Bhil Community 

  • The Bhil are one of the largest tribal groups, living in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. 
  • The name is derived from the word ‘billu’, which means bow. 
  • The Bhil are known to be excellent archers coupled with deep knowledge about their local geography. 
  • Traditionally, experts in guerrilla warfare, most of them today are farmers and agricultural labourers. They are also skilled sculptors. 
  • Bhil women wear traditional saris while men are dressed in long frocks and pyjamas. The woman put on heavy ornaments made of silver, brass along with rosaries of beads and silver coins and earrings.