Vautha Fair is a magnificent fair that is held every year at Vautha village. This village is situated at the meeting point of two rivers known as Vatrak and Sabarmati. Dholka region is situated at a distance of 26 kms far and is believed as the Virata Nagar of the Mahabharata. This region also celebrates Vautha fair with great glory. More than fifty thousand visitors came to Vautha village during the fair. This fair is celebrated for five days and many Jath Vanjara communities also attend and enjoy it. During the fair. This fair is celebrated for five days and many people put stalls of various commodities ranging from food to handicrafts. Many active street hawkers and merchants sell numerous things. Also one can see that at fair time the trading of animals such as camels and donkeys are done. In some parts of Allahabad many communities consider this fair more important than Diwali.
History
Legends hold that on a full moon night Kartikeya, the son of Shiva, visited this site on Kartika Purnima during his journey round the earth, and performed austerities as the meeting point of the rivers. His paglas are still worshipped here. Dhokla is also believed to be 'Virata Nagar' of the Mahabharata where the Pandavas spent the last year of their exile in disguise.
Traditions
Vautha fair is the largest rural fair celebrated in Gujarat. This fair holds both economical and mythological importance. Near the concourse of seven rivers this fair is celebrated and it is believed that people should take bath in the holy river in order to get them removed from sins. In month of November and during Kartik time this fair is organized. On full moon night the fair starts and lasts for five days. Religiously the Vautha village is very significant as because where the fair is held, that place is considered as the homeland of seven sages. On the grounds of Sangam tirtha this fair is held. Many communities consider it as the most significant and auspicious day. Wide ranges of people are seen visiting this village through trucks, camels, jeeps and tractors. Not only on this day they take Holy bath but they even worship their deities. This Vautha fair has historical background and is believed that on full moon day, Lord Shiva’s son Kartikeya visited this place when he was on trip to cover the entire earth. Therefore he stopped at this place where the culminations of seven rivers are. He even performed some austerities and since from that day onwards people started believing that taking holy bath in confluence of these seven rivers one can get relieved from sins.
Tourist Essential
Majority of people from nearby districts of Gujarat and even villages make plan to attend the fair. In favour of tourists essential this village provides number of tents so that the visitors can easily accommodate. Many pastoral groups and even Jath Vanjara folks participate in the fair in order to take Holy bath and worship the deities too.
Things to Do
Vautha Fair is organised in village of Vautha on Kartik Purnima day. Arrival and thousands of pilgrims visit this village in order to take bath in Holy River so that their sins can be absolved. Not only Sangam tirtha can be done but one can also enjoy at the grand spectacle of the Vautha Fair. There are several things that fair the trading of animals are done. Numbers of merchants are seen selling a fair number of goods and products from machinery to trinkets. The devout pilgrims can set up various lamps in evening that produces the shimmering dance of beauty and faith.
How to Reach
In month of November every year this Vautha fair is celebrated with great glory. Also in month of Kartik numerous pilgrims make plan for this region in order to participate in the fair. People from surrounding districts and even villagers of Nakantha and Bhal make plan to visit the Vautha village so that they can also participate in the event. One can also land at the nearest railway station at Ahmedabad and from there can travel by hiring cabs or taxis. This village supports well maintained roads and even various local and regular buses run all day and provide economic transportations. Not only Hindus but even Muslims and people of other castes and religion also make plan for Vautha fair.