>Lennart97 at 16:06, 23 January 2021

2021-01-23T16:06:12Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox recurring event
|native_name = ''Bhavnath Fair''
|native_name_lang = hi
|image =File:Naga Shadhu With Chalam.jpg
|alt =
|caption = Naga sadhu at the fair of Bhavnath
|status = 
|genre = Cultural and religious festival
|date=
|begins = [[Maagha]] Vad [[Ekadashi]]
|ends = [[Maagha]] Vad [[Amavasya]]
|frequency = Annual
|location = Junagadh, [[Junagadh district]], [[Gujarat]]
|coordinates =
|country = [[India]]
|participants =
|attendance =
|url=
|activity =
}}

'''Bhavnath fair''' is held at the Foothills of [[Girnar]] mountain in [[Junagadh]], [[Gujarat]] on the banks of the river [[Subarnarekha River|Suvarnarekha]]. Bhavnath Fair is one of the important fairs of [[Gujarat]].

==Place==
At the foothills of Girnar in Junagadh, on the banks of the river [[Subarnarekha River|Suvarnarekha]], lies a very ancient temple of [[Bhavnath|Lord Bhavnath]]. The background of the spontaneous [[Shivling]] of the temple looks beautiful with the wonderful (nature) forest.<ref name="z">{{cite book|title=ગુજરાતના લોકોત્સવો અને મેળા|last=Kalariya|first=Ashok|publisher=Directorate of Information/ GujaratState|year=2019–20|isbn=|volume=|location=[[Gandhinagar]]|pages=12–13}}</ref>

==Time==
This fair is held every year on the occasion of [[Maha Shivaratri]] from [[Maagha]] Vad (Krishna Paksha) [[Ekadashi|Agiyaras]] to Maagha Vad [[Amavasya]].<ref name="z"/><ref name="S">{{cite book|title=ગુજરાતની લોકસંસ્કૃતિક વિરાસત|last=Jadav|first=Joravarsinh|publisher=Directorate of Information/ GujaratState|year=2010|isbn=|volume=|location=[[Gandhinagar]]|pages=181}}</ref>

==Religious significance==
In the fair of Bhavanath, Lord Bhavanath is worshiped at the midnight of [[Maha Shivaratri]]. A large number of monks and Naga Sadhus come from all over [[Gujarat]] to pay homage to ''Mahapuja''.<ref name="Vyas">{{cite book|title=ગુજરાતની અસ્મિતા|last=Vyas|first=Rajni|publisher=Akshar Publication|year=2012|edition=5th|location=[[Ahmedabad]]|page=326}}</ref> Almonries are also opened at various places for the visitors.<ref name="z"/>

On the day of Maagha Vad [[Navami]], the flag of religion and culture is hoisted over the temple of Lord Bhavanath. At this time, Nagabawa is seen riding on elephants, chanting conch and playing various instruments, chanting Mahadev. The caves of ''Muchkund'', ''[[Bharthari (king)|Bhartuhari]]'' and [[Guru Dutt]] are also very famous in this place. Millions of devotees come here to visit and enjoy the fair.<ref name="z"/><ref name="A"/>

This place is a place of faith and belief for the people of [[Ahir]] and [[Mer (community)|Mer]]. Folk music, ras-garba and bhajan-kirtan programs are also organized at night during the days of the fair.<ref name="A">{{cite book|title=ગુજરાતની લોકસંસ્કૃતિ|last=Sedani|first=Hasutaben Shashikant|publisher=University Granth Nirman Board - [[Gujarat]]|year=2015|isbn=97-89-381265-97-0|location=[[Ahmedabad]]|pages=85}}</ref>

==History==
There is a legend in the [[Skanda Purana]] regarding the fair of Bhavnath. According to this legend, when [[Shiva]]-[[Parvati]] was traveling in a [[chariot]] through the sky, her divine ornament falls down near the temple of Bhavnath. Hence it is known as '''Vastra Putakshetra'''.<ref name="z"/>

The procession of the Nagabavas, accompanied by the sound of conch during the Maha Puja on the day of [[Maha Shivaratri]], bathing in the '''Mrigi Kund''' and chanting at the foothills of [[Girnar]] is a spiritual experience. According to a folktale, bathing in a Mrigi Kund brings salvation to the people.<ref name="z"/>

[[Siddha]]s like [[Bharthari (king)|Bhartuhari]], Gopichand and [[Ashwatthama]] live in Girnar, the place of [[Navnath]] and [[Mahasiddha]]. And on the day of [[Shivratri]], these Siddha men come to bathe in Mrigi Kund. There is also a belief that [[Siddha]] men do not appear outside once they have bathed in this Kund.<ref name="A"/>

== Facilities==
Accommodation and meals are provided free of cost to the visitors of Bhavnath Fair. Tents that can accommodate 300 to 350 people are built for people.
Shops of various offerings and items are also set up for people to buy. Government and semi-government organizations also hold their own exhibitions.<ref name="Vyas"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bhavnath fair}}

[[Category:Festivals in Gujarat]]

Bhavnath fair - Revision history

>Lennart97 at 16:06, 23 January 2021