Karauli was an erstwhile princely state in eastern Rajasthan. Travel to Karauli and enjoy the lavish, royal lifestyle. It is famous for its pale red stone. Travel to Karauli can be supplemented by the visits to some noted places like the temples of Kaila Devi and Madan Mohanji and other historic monuments. The annual fair at the Kaila Devi temple is quite popular. The ritual of Kanak-Dandoti is observed by staunch devotees and successors of Gholi Bhagat (a devotee of Kaila Devi) where they cover the distance of 15-20 kms to reach the temple by lying level to the ground and moving upwards. Then there are the local bazaars which you could visit to buy exclusive items of handicraft and colorful bangles.
The Bhanwar Vilas palace and City palace have magnificent architecture of colonial style, stone carvings, lattice work and classic paintings.
Location of Karauli in Rajasthan
Karauli is a holy city situated 160 kms from Jaipur earlier called Kalyanpuri after the local deity Kalyanji. Karauli was founded in 1348 AD. It is in close proximity (approximately 23kms) from Kaila Devi temple. The city is surrounded by a wall of red sandstone which has 6 gates and 11 postems.
The Bhanwar Vilas palace and City palace have magnificent architecture of colonial style, stone carvings, lattice work and classic paintings.
Location of Karauli in Rajasthan
Karauli is a holy city situated 160 kms from Jaipur earlier called Kalyanpuri after the local deity Kalyanji. Karauli was founded in 1348 AD. It is in close proximity (approximately 23kms) from Kaila Devi temple. The city is surrounded by a wall of red sandstone which has 6 gates and 11 postems.
Fairs and Festivals
In Karauli, one animal fair and two religious fairs are held. The religious fairs are held in March-April and Sept-Oct at the temple of Kaila Devi Ji about 20 kms from Bhanwar Vilas Palace. The details of which are available in the page on Kaila Devi Temple.
The Animal fair is held at Karauli in the month of February every year for a week which coincides with the festival of Shivratri. This fair is one of the oldest animal fairs of Rajasthan where every year thousands of animals of all kinds are brought for sale/purchase.
Here one can see the trading of animals, the animal owners camping, shops selling colourfull and attractive items for use and decoration of the animals.
At the end of the fair, various competitions are held to judge the outstanding specimens.
Then the animal fair gets converted in a commodity fair where spices, handicrafts items and household goods of all kinds are traded.
Even this part of the fair is no less interesting.
Kaila Devi Fair Karauli
| Location: | The Kaila Devi temple on the banks of Kalisil river, on the Trikut hills, 2 km from Kaila village, which in turn is 24 km from Karauli district headquarters, Rajasthan. |
| Significance: | It is held in the honor of the deity Kaila Devi ( a form of Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Chamunda, the goddess of death). |
| Time of Celebration: | In the month of Chaitra (according to the Hindu calendar), for a fortnight starting from 12th day of Chaitra Budi. For fifteen days in March or April. |
One of the most venerated fairs of Rajasthan, Kaila devi fair is hels at the temple of Kaila Devi, who is worshipped as the guardian deity by the Yadavas, the Khinchis, and the princess of Karauli. In the courtyard of the temple, there is a small temple of Bhairon and a temple facing the Kaila Devi's shrine houses Lord 'Hanuman', called 'Languriya' in the local dialect. Thousands of devotees belonging to all the communities visit the place throughout the year. The fair attracts a lot of pilgrims from other states also such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh , Punjab , Delhi and Haryana, who offer cash, coconuts, kajal (kohl), tikki (vermilion), bangles and sweets to the goddess.
An interesting ritual is observed by the successors of Goli Bhagat, a great devotee of Kaila Devi, who come from Agra. This ritual called 'Kanak-Dandoti' is rigorous and is observed by other staunch devotees as well. These devotees cover a distance of 15 to 20 kms to the temple by lying prostrate and marking lines with their hands in that position, then get up and advance upto the drawn line and again repeating the procedure. Though some devotees do take some rest and eat food in between, but there are some who endure the hunger and exhaustion till they reach the temple. The faith of these people is exemplary.
There are a large number of shops selling variety of articles and Mina tribal people perform dances of happiness and sing songs in the praise of the deities lending the gaiety to the environment.
An interesting ritual is observed by the successors of Goli Bhagat, a great devotee of Kaila Devi, who come from Agra. This ritual called 'Kanak-Dandoti' is rigorous and is observed by other staunch devotees as well. These devotees cover a distance of 15 to 20 kms to the temple by lying prostrate and marking lines with their hands in that position, then get up and advance upto the drawn line and again repeating the procedure. Though some devotees do take some rest and eat food in between, but there are some who endure the hunger and exhaustion till they reach the temple. The faith of these people is exemplary.
There are a large number of shops selling variety of articles and Mina tribal people perform dances of happiness and sing songs in the praise of the deities lending the gaiety to the environment.
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