KAILA DEVI  FAIR, Karaulli

The fair of kaila Devi, popularly known as Mahalakshmi, (the goddess of wealth), olds an important place among the celebrated fairs of Rajasthan. The fair is held at the village Kaila in Karauli district in the month of Chaitra, starting from Chaitra Budi 12 and lasting for a fortnight, the temple of Kaila Devi is located on the banks of the Kalisil River in the hills of Trikut, 2 kms to the north- west of Kailia village. It houses the images of Mahalakshmi and Chamunda. Kaila Devi has been regarded as the guardian deity throughout the ages by the khinchis, the Yadavas and the princes of Karauli.

A small temple dedicated to Bhairon is situated in the courtyard and facing the shrine of Kaila Devi is a temple of Hanuman locally called ‘Languriya’. Throughout the year, there is a steady flow of devotees to this spot but during the Kaila Devi Fair, the participants number as many as 2 lakh. There is no restriction for members of any community to visit the fair or the shrine. A large number of pilgrims from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi and Haryana visit the fair.

The devotees bring with then cash, coconuts, Kajal (Kohl), tikkl (vermilion), sweet and bangles as offerings to the goddess. The ritual of Kanak-Dandoti is observed by the staunch devotes. They cover a distance of 15 to 20 kms to reach the temple, not on foot but by lying prostrate, making lines with their hands in that prostrate, making lines with their hands in that position, advancing upto the line drawn and repeating this procedure till they reach the temple. While some eat food and take rest during the journey, others endure the rigours of the ritual without these. The fair is visited by a large number of traders who set up their shops and sell a variety of indigenous products.

Groups of Mina tribesmen arrive in a spirit of gaiety-dancing, singing and creating a lively atmosphere. The spacious courtyard becomes the venue for dances and songs sung in praise of the deities. The fairs are held at Kaila which is 24 kms, to the south-west of Karauli.

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