Kolayat Fair Bikaner

Name	Kolayat Fair
Place

Kolayat Fair in Kolayat, Bikaner is also called the 'Kapil Muni Fair'. This fair is observed on the banks of the stunning Kolayat Lake. Devotees, who come here for the festivities, bathe in the lake on the day of the festival. It is believed that by taking a dip into the lake they purge their sins.

The celebrations of Kolayat Fair hold a special significance to the local people. According to historical records, Kolayat in Bikaner was also regarded as Kapilayatan. This name was assigned to the place after Kapil Muni, a revered sage. Not only this, these names are also found in the holy scriptures of Puranas and hence corroborate their significance.

Coming to the festivity part of the Bikaner's Kolayat Fair it deserves special mention that there are 52 Ghats that dot the banks of the Kolayat Lake. All these Ghats are beautifully decorated with lights marking religiosities on the day of the festival. The devotees and pilgrims perform certain rituals. They offer prayers, sugar drops, sweetmeats and milk pudding to the deity. All these items are made in the Kolayat Temple that enshrines the statue of Kapil Muni.

The most noticeable and remarkable feature of the Kolayat Fair Bikaner is when all the devotees gather at one point at dusk and put several lit oil lamps on the leaves and leave them to float on the serene and calm lake water. This scene is truly a feast for the eyes.