Kolayat Fair also known as the Kapil Muni Fair is the largest fair of
Bikaner, Rajasthan. It is held on Kartik Purnima at Kolayat, originally
known as Kapilayatan. The place is named after the sage Kapil who is
believed to have done meditation for the salvation of mankind in this
place.
The Kolayat Fair of Bikaner has a great importance in the life of the
people of Bikaner. They eagerly wait for this fair throughout the year.It also has a great religious significance. A large number of devotees
also visit the fair to take a holy dip in the Kolayat Lake. It is
believed that a holy dip can provide them respite from all the sins
they have done.The most palpable element of the Kolayat Fair is when all the devotees
gather at one point at dusk to put several lit oil lamps on the leaves
and leave them to float on the tranquil lake.
Rituls an Celebration Kolayat Fair
Thousands
of tourists visit this fair and take a dip on the holy lake Ther. Ther
is a lake with 52 ghats and surrounded by banyan trees. The lake also
finds mention in the Puranas. A temple with a marble statue of the
saint is dedicated to Kapil Muni. Though people visit this place all
round the year, it is considered highly auspicious to visit Kolayat and
take a dip in the holy lake. It is believed that a day’s stay at
Kolayat is equivalent of spending 10 years at any other holy place.
Sewag Brahmins perform the daily rituals in the temple.
On
Kartik Purnima, Deep Malika is performed in the evening where devotees
float lamps in the sacred lake as part of the ritual. Offerings
consisting of sugar drops, coconut and dry fruits are given at the
temple.
An interesting
and an important part is the cattle fair that is held on the same day.
Kolayat Fair is the largest cattle fair of Bikaner.
Attraction of Kolayat Fair
However, if you are visiting the fair without any such interest in its
historical as well as religious significance, then also a visit to the
fair will be a great experience. During the Kolayat Fair all the 52
ghats are beautifully decorated. Attractive lights impart a great look
to these ghats. On visiting the fair, you will also be able to witness
the various rituals performed by the devotees. These devotees also
offer prayers along with sweetmeats, milk pudding and sugar drops to
the deity.
There are a number of other features of Kolayat Fair that impart a lot
of attractiveness to the fair. The Kolayat Fair Bikaner boasts a
mesmerizing view when all the devotees gather at a common point and
leave oil lamps to float in the calm waters of the lake. It will be a
great sight for the tourists to see hundreds of lighted lamps floating
in the water of the lake.
