Fairs & Festivals
The character of Karauli is most visible during its local festivals and fairs where lakhs of people cutting across social strata gather together to revel in a vivid haze of colour and fervour.
The Kaila Devi Chaitra Mela takes place during the Krishna Paksh of ‘chaitra.’ and continues for a fortnight starfing from 12th day of Chaitra Badi, i.e. either in March or April while the Kaila Devi Ashwin Mela takes places in September or October every year.
These fairs have gained immense prominence with more than four hunched thousand devotees from different communities coming to pay obeisance to goddess Kaila devi, with several traversing long distances while fasting!
Among the distinctive elements of the Kaila Devi fairs are the kanak-dandoli, devotees who travel to the temple prostrating themselves at regular intervals along the way.
The fairs showcase the craftsmanship of numerous people, who deal with wood crafted and metal products, tribal headgear, silver jewellery, mirror work, hand woven and embroidered textiles and much more. This fair also consists of various cultural perfonnances from the local tribes including the so, and dances of the Mena community.
The animal fair & festival, is held in the month of February, coinciding with the festival of Shivratri. This fair is one of the oldest of its kind in Rajasthan where I.s of animals-cattle, horses, camels and are brought for sale. The bustling trade with its enthusiastic bargabii, the sight of the traders camping, the shops selling colourful animal regalia, and the enthusiastic competitions to judge outstanding specimens make this a must Adsit for the traveller in search of unique experiences.