Essay on “Tarnetar Fair”
The Trinetreshwar Mahadev Fair at Tarnetar takes place near the industrial town of Thangadli, Saurashtra. The fair is held every year on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of the Shukla Paksha (August-September), near Surendranagar. The fair celebrates the legendary marriage of Arjuna (great warrior in the epic Mahabharata) with Draupadi. The fair is still a kind of marriage market. The youths of the tribes of Kolis, Rabaris and Bharwards are elegantly dressed in colourful dhotis, waistcoats and headcloths twisted at an angle on their heads to find a suitable match for them.
The famous ras, garba and hudo are features of the fair. The most thrilling sight of all is the Kasada, the fascinating folk dance performed by hundreds of women moving gracefully in a single circle, dancing gaily to the accompaniment of four drum and jodja pava (double flutes). Another distinctive feature of the fair is the Tarnetar Chhatri. These umbrellas are a delightful treat for a connoisseur of art, meticulously embellished with mirror work, intricate embroidery, and enchanting lacework.
