#ashokasays Did you know 292:
Two weeks after Holi in the month of March/April, the Chitra Vichitra Fair is held at the confluence of three rivers near the village of Poshina. The fair is attended by tribals in great numbers, sometimes exceeding 60,000-70,000. This fair, one of the largest, purely 'Adivasi' (tribal) fairs.
The venue of the fair is near a temple overlooking the rivers Sabarmati, Aakar and Vakar. Chitra-Vichitra Mela is a huge hit amongst all the tribes of the state. A large number of Bhils from the surrounding areas reach the venue, for the celebration of the spring event, just a fortnight after Holi.
There is an exciting story behind the Chitra Vichitra Mela of India. The historical relevance of the fair dates back to the Mahabharat era. It is said that there were two sons of Shantanu named Chitraveer and Vichitraveer. Both of them wished to repent for the sins they had committed. A meditating saint advised them to discover a place, where the meeting point of three rivers as well as a Shiva shrine was located. Abiding by the saint's advice, they began their search and came to this ancient place, which is now known as Chitra Vichitra.
In order to practice penance, they immolated themselves here. Since then the Chitra- Vichitra fair is organized here in the memory of the two princes. The tribal population celebrates the fair every year, on the confluence of the rivers Sabarmati, Aakar and Vakar. It commences on the eve of no moon day just after Holi. On this night, the tribal people gather on the banks of the river and mourn for their departed dear ones. They also sing sorrowful songs, offer sacrifices and finally bathe in the river.
But in the morning, the mood is completely transformed. The people are completely taken over by the festive mood. The fair takes the form of a colorful galore owing to the vibrant traditional clothes of the Bhils and Garasias. The Garasia women are usually dressed in bright blue, green and red saris or Ghaghras (long skirts). They team it up with heavy silver jewelry like ear rings, necklaces and tingling anklets. To make themselves look further attractive they put kajal in their eyes and red color on their lips and cheeks.
On the other hand, men wear a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron turban on head. In contrast to this, the Bhils, though well dressed, are less ornately jeweled.
Young men and women attend this fair to find a suitable match for themselves. They even elope with each other to the forest adjacent to the river. After some days, they return to their community to get married. It is a common practice amongst the Bhils and the Garsias.
INCREDIBLE BHARATHA
India is a land of innumerable number of festivals and fairs.
Every nook and corner of this country is connected with either one or
the other fair.
Chitra-Vichitra Mela is one colorful fair, purely tribal fair that takes place in the Gumbhakhari
village, which falls under the Sabarkantha district. Two weeks after Holi in the month of March/April, the Chitra Vichitra Fair is held at the confluence of three rivers near the village of Poshina. The fair is attended by tribals in great numbers, sometimes exceeding 60,000-70,000. This fair, one of the largest, purely 'Adivasi' (tribal) fairs.
The venue of the fair is near a temple overlooking the rivers Sabarmati, Aakar and Vakar. Chitra-Vichitra Mela is a huge hit amongst all the tribes of the state. A large number of Bhils from the surrounding areas reach the venue, for the celebration of the spring event, just a fortnight after Holi.
There is an exciting story behind the Chitra Vichitra Mela of India. The historical relevance of the fair dates back to the Mahabharat era. It is said that there were two sons of Shantanu named Chitraveer and Vichitraveer. Both of them wished to repent for the sins they had committed. A meditating saint advised them to discover a place, where the meeting point of three rivers as well as a Shiva shrine was located. Abiding by the saint's advice, they began their search and came to this ancient place, which is now known as Chitra Vichitra.
In order to practice penance, they immolated themselves here. Since then the Chitra- Vichitra fair is organized here in the memory of the two princes. The tribal population celebrates the fair every year, on the confluence of the rivers Sabarmati, Aakar and Vakar. It commences on the eve of no moon day just after Holi. On this night, the tribal people gather on the banks of the river and mourn for their departed dear ones. They also sing sorrowful songs, offer sacrifices and finally bathe in the river.
But in the morning, the mood is completely transformed. The people are completely taken over by the festive mood. The fair takes the form of a colorful galore owing to the vibrant traditional clothes of the Bhils and Garasias. The Garasia women are usually dressed in bright blue, green and red saris or Ghaghras (long skirts). They team it up with heavy silver jewelry like ear rings, necklaces and tingling anklets. To make themselves look further attractive they put kajal in their eyes and red color on their lips and cheeks.
On the other hand, men wear a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron turban on head. In contrast to this, the Bhils, though well dressed, are less ornately jeweled.
Young men and women attend this fair to find a suitable match for themselves. They even elope with each other to the forest adjacent to the river. After some days, they return to their community to get married. It is a common practice amongst the Bhils and the Garsias.
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