TRIBAL FOLK DANCE : SHAMLAJI NE MELE

A large number of devotees arrive to the Shamlaji fair on foot or on camel carts,
singing devotional songs, some even dancing and carrying banners bearing sacred
symbols. They go to worship the deity and bathe in the sacred waters of the
Meshwo river. Among the Adivasis, the Bhil community has incredible faith in the
powers of Shamlaji who they lovingly refer to as Kaliyo Dev (Dark Divinity). The
fair is an important trade destination for people to buy silver ornaments,
metalware, cloth and garments, along with many other annual household items.

The temple of Shamlaji stands on the banks of the river Meshwo, in veneration of
Lord Vishnu. The river Meshwo meanders over its rocky bed in the valley
immediately below, and the waters of a splendid natural lake, of great beauty
sparkle amid the well-wooded hills.

It is believed that this shrine has existed for at least 500 years. Built of white
sandstone and bricks, it has two storeys supported on rows of pillars. It is
profusely carved and episodes from sacred epics of the Ramayana and
Mahabharata are engraved on the outer walls. It’s beautiful domed ceilings and a
traditional north Indian spire over the main shrine add to the magnificence of its
open courtyard accompanied by the carving of a life-size elephant.

Sakshi Gopal or Gadadhar is a black representation of Lord Vishnu worshipped at

the Shamlaji Temple. This is one of the rare temples of Lord Krishna in which cow
idols are also worshipped depicting his childhood as a cowherd. For the
Vaishnavites, Shamlaji is one of the hundred and fifty four most important places
of pilgrimage in India.
When

The Shamlaji Mela lasts for about three weeks, around the month of November.
Kartik Purnima (Full moon night) is the most important day for the fair.
Where

The Shamlaji Mela is held at Shamlaji situated in the Arvalli district near the
border between Gujarat and Rajasthan on the National Highway No. 8.

Interesting facts
Numerous temples in ruins, ancient brick-work and scattered idols are found at
Shamlaji which show that since ancient times it has been a popular and important
center of pilgrimage on the highway between Gujarat and Rajasthan. Its antiquity
has been further proved by the recent finds of a Buddhist stupa and a vihar at
Dev-ni-Mori about a mile and a half from Shamlaji. The stupa is considered a
sharir stupa i.e., one containing a fragment of the mortal remains of the Buddha.

Remains of shrines of different religions show that the whole area

around Shamlaji was once not only prosperous but an important center of
civilization and culture. Also, there is a small shrine on the way from the Shamalaji
Temple to the Meshwo river, where an image of a late-Gupta standing Ganesha
which is still worshiped.

History

There are three very interesting legends behind the creation of this temple.

1. According to one, Lord Brahma once embarked on a journey to find out the
best tirtha (sacred site) on the earth. After seeing a number of places, he
came to Shamlaji, which he liked the most and performed penance there
for a thousand years. Lord Shiva, who was pleased with him, asked him to
perform a yajna (ritual). At the beginning of the yajna, Lord Vishnu
manifested himself in the form of Shamlaji, and was enshrined at this place.
2. Another legend has it that Vishwakarma, the architect of the Gods,
constructed this temple in one night, but as it was morning by the time he
completed it, he could not take it with him and had to return leaving it
here.
3. According to the third story, an Adivasi found the idol of Lord Shamlaji
while ploughing his land. He worshipped it by lighting a lamp everyday and
was blessed for his faith by having an abundant yield in his farm. Learning
of this, a Vaishnava merchant built the temple and installed the idol
therein, which was later beautified by the Idar rulers. More recently, a
prominent business family further renovated this temple.

Thousands of tribal people flock to the Shamlaji fair. (Shamalaji also known as
Gadadhar Dev whose Name is also reflected in Thousand Name of Lord Vishnu
Also known as Vihnu Sahastra Nama Who Created Bhrahma And Bhrahma
Created This World. Those Who had Crossed Bhrahma Is Known as Parbhrahma
Who Claim Himself as Allah but He Also Does not know that in Lord Vishnu Who
seems to be idle in Whom Thousands Of Universe Takes Birth every moment and
get destroy every moment and in its birth he is not happy neither he is unhappy in
the destruction of all the universe. Still he fulfills the desire of Bhakta. Bhakta is he
Who associates or joins himself with Lord vishnu who was also known as Shree
Krishna. Famous Saint Narsimh Mehta Write Hundi On the Name Of Shmalia
Sheth in the time of his distress a type of promissory note which was honored by
Shree Krishna, Shri Narsimh Mehta wrote poetry in the honor of Shri Krishna
which became Mahatma Gandhi's Prayer song.