The Mallinath Fair, which is held every year in the honor of Rawal Mallinath (14th century hero of Rajasthani legends), is a big affair in Rajasthan. The fair is held on Luni riverbed—near the famous Mallinath Temple in Tilwara. The locales believe that the fair was first originated in Mallinath shrine, where all the followers of Mallinath arrived at venue to exchange and sell well-bred horses.
Horses seem to have a strong connection with this region. When travelers come to pray at Mallinath temple, they offer little images and bronze/wood statues of horses to express their gratitude towards the hero.
This year, the ostentatious fair started on March 24, with the district administration inviting 1,000 camels and 2,500 horses from all over the state. The officers ensured that the animals were healthy, well-bred and properly certified. Their agricultural potential and milk production capacity were tested before admitting them here.
What’s Unique about Mallinath Fair?
If you happen to travel to Tilwara by road, in the month of March or April, you’ll surely see the finest breeds of Marwari and Malani horses prancing about in all glory. They’ve peculiar ears, healthy mane and a shiny coat.
The main attraction of this fair is the beautiful brackish Luni River that flows through the dry, arid regions of Rajasthan. This river has its origin in Pushkar and as it meanders through the deserts, it vanishes into the sands in Rann of Kutch. The unique thing is that the river holds waters within it for just one or two months still its surroundings are quite fertile—perhaps a courtesy of Mallinath.
Due to extreme temperatures, the river showed early signs of inability this year. The cattle owners have pitched their tents close and the district collectorate has to work extra hard to provide for animals.
Horse Owners Share Their Experience and Stories at Mallinath
Every year, we see hundreds of horse owners strutting around with their pets in the fair. The animals participate in fairs and horse shows to flaunt their potential.
Mahendra Singh Tanwar of Jodhpur recalls that in past, the Rajput kings accompanied local merchants and their caravans across the borders to ensure their safety. This is how the fair originated in Rajasthan.
Kishan Singh of Barmer is a retired government servant who relocated to his ancestral home in his old age. He recalls his childhood days when he used to grow vegetables on the banks of River Luni. Today, the river is losing its charms due to pollution caused by textile dyeing units. In this case, it’s just the fair that keeps its long-lost luster intact.
A Jodhpur-based lawyer named Digvijay Singh claims that it was Rawal Mallinath’s wife Rani Rupade that blessed this region with eternal fertility. Probably this is why whenever the authorities organize fair; they just have to dig into the riverbed. Water is not a problem in this part of Rajasthan.
We don’t know if these stories are true, all we know is that with pretty women, colorful horses and mystifying legends, Mallinath fair certainly turns several heads.
