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 wh...en 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.
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.
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.
Source: www.festivalsofindia.in
