Karni Mata Fair...

Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year at Deshnok, a small town near Nokha in Bikaner district. The first and larger fair is held in March-April during the Navratras from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi. The second fair is held in September-October, also during the Navratras, from Ashvin Shukla to Ashwin Shukla Dashmi.

Karni Mata was an ascetic who led a righteous life dedicated to the service and uplifting of the poor and downtrodden of all communities. It is believed that she possessed supernatural powers. The foundation of Deshnok was laid by her and she has been worshipped as a goddess by her principal followers, Charans, as well as the rulers of Bikaner, who regarded her as the patron deity. The Karni Mata Fair is held in her honour.

The Karni Mata temple at Deshnok is a stone and marble structure and is also known as Madh. Inside the shrine, a 75 cms. image of Kami Mata adorned with a mukut (tiara) and garlands is installed. Her image is accompanied by the images of her sisters and the sisters of Avad Mata. The Rajputs bring their children on Jadula (their first hair cut) and place them at the deity's feet for blessing.

The temple is thrown open to the public early in the morning at 4.00 a.m. Charan priests perform Mangla-Ki-Aarti and offer bhog (special food) as worship. A peculiar characteristic of the temple is the legion of brown cats roaming about in large numbers in the temple. They are considered auspicious and the devotees make offerings. Two kinds of offerings, the 'dwar-bhent' is attributed to the priests and the workers. The 'kalash-bhent' is utilised for the temple maintenance and development.

Khatu Shyamji...

Khatu Shyamji is famous for its Shyamji temple. There is a steady stream of devotees the year round, but lakh of them gather at the annual fair from Phalgun Sudi Dashmi to Dwadashi. Apart from being a place of pilgrimage, a large number of people come for the Jadula ceremony (the first time all hair is shaved off the head) of their children.

Legend connects the place to the epic Mahabharata war. Krishna, it is believed took the form of a Brahmin and asked for the head of Babhruvahan (Barbrik). He then placed the head on a hillock so that it could watch the war. Pleased with the sacrifice, Krishna, then, blessed Babhruvahan to be worshipped as Shyam himself in Kaliyug.

Khatu Shyamji is 48 kms. from the District headquarters, Sikar which is itself about 115 kms. from Jaipur on National Highway No. 11

The famous shrine of Shri Sonana Khetlaji in the village Sonana of district Pali is the site of the two day Khetlaji fair, held every year during May-Jun. The fair attracts a large number of devotees who congregate here during the fair held in honour of the deity, Khetlaji. It is believed by many devotees that the deity has powers to grant wishes. Many devotees arrive to pray for fulfilment of their wishes or for thanksgiving, after their wishes have been granted.

The fair is a grand occasion for the local people from the adjoining area, who pour in, dressed in their best, right from day-break. It is also a gala occasion for shopping.. Body tattooing shops are also the hot-spots of activity and troupes of Gair dancers add colour to the festive spirits. However, it is the hundreds of horses at the fair that steal the show. Thoroughbred and well trained 'Marwari' horses perform many a trick and even dance to the rhythms of local drums, much to the amazement of the onlookers.

Sonana is 65 kms. from Pali. Pali is well connected by road and rail to major cities of the state.

From royal splendour to riotous egalitarianism , 14 January is celebrated in India as Makar Sankranti - heralding the transition of the sun into the Northern hemisphere.

In Jaipur Kites virtually blot out the sky. Everyone joins in this riotous celebration and shouts of " Woh Kata Hai !" reverberate from rooftops to the accompaniment of drums as adversary's kites are cut down. And everyone's an adversary! Any kite in the sky is fair game !

Its been five years that this Desert Kite Festival is held. Kite makers flaunt kites sized as big as 1.5km of various shapes and Designs. Some carrying messages, some depicting social issues, some as caricatures of politicians. Its been the most popular event recently, even tourists can take part in various kite flying competitions. The colours that flaunt in the blue sky mesmerises the viewers.