QUE.  Prepare a report describing your experience of visiting the recently held Tarnetar Fair.

ANS.

The Tarnetar Fair: A confluence of zeal, enthusiasm, and jubilation.

Place: Surendranagar

Date: 9/9/2024

I recently got a golden opportunity to visit the famous TarneTar Fair, which is held every year in the premises of the Trinetreshwar Mahadev Temple at Lakhtar in the Panchal region of Saurashtra, i.e., Surendranagar district. This fair, which begins on the third day (Sud Trij) of the Bhadarva month, holds unique cultural and historical significance. The TarneTar Fair is a wonderful confluence of joy, youth, and art.

On the fifth day of Bhadarva Sud, early in the morning, we joined the beginning of the fair by offering prayers to Lord Mahadev. On this auspicious day of Rishi Panchami, after the Ganga Avataran Aarti, a fifty-two-yard-long sacred flag was hoisted on the Trinetreshwar Mahadev Temple by the Mahant of Paliyad. Since taking a holy bath in the three sacred ponds located in the three directions of the temple is considered highly auspicious on this day, we also became a part of this sacred tradition. It was truly an experience that filled our bodies with renewed energy. We were also fortunate to witness the Ganga Viday Aarti held in the evening.

From the morning itself, a huge crowd had gathered at the fair. Young men dressed in colourful traditional attire and carrying beautifully decorated umbrellas were the centre of attraction for everyone. Visitors from different parts of the country as well as foreign guests had also come to attend the fair.

The fair was distinct and special because it was immersed in the colours of Gujarati folk culture. Energetic performances of Raas, Garba, Duha, and Chhand echoed throughout the fair. Titodo and Hooda Raas are unique features of the TarneTar Fair, and watching them truly filled my heart with energy and happiness.

Further ahead, I got the opportunity to witness rural cultural competitions organised with the aim of preserving and promoting our fading heritage and to become mesmerised by the rich folk culture of Gujarat. These competitions included Bhajan, Duha-Chhand, folk songs, folk tales, Bhavai, mono acting, traditional embroidery, Bahuroopi performances, stick-spinning, and about 26 other competitions, in which more than 450 participants took part.

To keep rural games alive, the Sports Authority of Gujarat organises the Rural Olympics at the fair. Indigenous games such as pot race, long jump, high jump, tug of war, sugar-laddu eating competition, Strong Man contest, Nargol, Langdi, and many others are conducted. Watching these games gave us the delightful feeling of revisiting the memories of our childhood.

Another important initiative undertaken by the State Government is the organisation of a livestock exhibition competition. Since 2008, this competition has showcased animals with superior qualities and has provided knowledge about the high returns obtained from them as well as the best methods of their care and management.

Thus, the TarneTar Fair fills people’s lives with happiness and spreads a new wave of enthusiasm and vitality. Through the continuous efforts of the State Government from time to time, this fair has crossed the boundaries of the nation and has earned international recognition.