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The
Shamlaji Melo, also called the Kartik Purnima fair is held in the month of
November every year and lasts for about two weeks. It is attended by
almost two hundred thousand people from adjoining districts and even from
Rajasthan
.
THE VENUE:
The Shamlaji Temple is a renowned Vaishnav Shrine and the deity housed
here is known by various names included 'Gadadhar' (bearer of the mace)
and 'Shaksi Gopal'. The temple is of great archaeological significance as
it was built in the 11th century. Apart from a darshan of the deity in the
temple, the pilgrims consider a bath in the river Meshwo essential
.
THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE:
Devotees belonging to various castes and communities including the
'Garasias' and 'Bhils' throng this festival. These pilgrims come in
groups, singing devotional songs and carry religious banners to have an
audience of the deity at the Shamlaji Temple.
The fair is also popular with the tribal people of the area, particularly
the Bhils, who revere Shamlaji, the deity they refer to as 'Kalio Bavji',
the dark divinity.
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