Kaila Devi Fair

The fair of Kaila Devi (Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth) is held at village Kaila in Karauli, a holy city 160 kms from Jaipur and 103 km from Sawai Madhopur. This fair held every year lasts for a fortnight. Each year, around two lakh pilgrims come to visit this fair. The pilgrims offer prayers at the Kaila Devi Temple which is at a distance of 2 kilometres from Kaila village. The nearby Bhairon temple and Hanuman temple are other attractions.

The devotees bring along with them cash, bangles, coconuts and sweets to offer to the goddess. Staunch devotees follow the religious practice of Kanak- Dandotis. A distance of approximately 20 kilometres has to be covered by them so as to reach the temple. The most difficult part of this ritual is that this distance is not covered on foot. Instead, the devotees lie flat and make lines with their hand. They reach up to these lines and the process is repeated till they reach the temple.

While some eat and rest during the journey, others enjoy following the rituals and festivities. Many shops take their grounds in the fair where they sell varieties of local articles. The Mina tribals arrive in a spirit of happiness, dancing and singing. They make the whole ambiance light and create a lively atmosphere.

Thousands of people from North Indian states like Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, besides the people from Rajasthan visit this temple during the fair. On the whole this fair brings out the ancient tradition and rituals of Rajasthan.