essay a village fair
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India is a land of villages though urbanization is taking place at a fast pace. Still most of the people in India live in villages. They do not have many means of entertainment and shopping in the village and have to go to the nearby towns for this purpose. But fairs, which are held frequently in villages, provide them a welcome relief.
A fair is also held in my village every year on the day of Baisakhi. The Baisakhi always falls on the 13 day of April every year. It is on this day that the farmers start harvesting their wheat crops in northern India. Hence the day is celebrated with great joy with only little variations from village to village.
I went to see the Baisakhi fair held in my village last year. It covered quite a vast area outside the village .A very large number of people from nearby villages was making a bee line to the fair. There was a large number of stalls. At many stalls, sweets and men and women with their heads covered, were sitting on be niches and were eating colorful barfi, rasgullas and gulab. Some of them were taking saltish dishes like samosas and pakoras.
Some stalls were selling colorful toys, balloons and balls; there was a great rush at stall selling ladies items like glass bangles, bracelets, necklaces and several other items of artificial jewellery. Some religious minded old ladies preferred to buy clay images of gods and goddess.
In one corner a juggler was showing his tricks. And in another corner a snake charmer was singing with his pipe in front of a Cobra who had its hood raised while a large crowd of people stood around.
However one great attraction of the fair was the fold dance of Punjab, which was being performed most enthusiastically by young boys for the sheer joy of doing it. And similar was the case with giddha performed by young girls. The fair was like a paradise.
Every year, in the first week of May, soon after Holi, a big fair is held near our village. It is held in memory of a Hindu saint, who had worked hard for the uplift of the nearby villages. His Samadhi is just outside our village at a distance of about half a mile.
The preparations for the fair began a week or two earlier, under the guidance of Village Panchayat members. The whole place was swept clean and shrubs and bushes were removed. A temporary bazaar was set up and stalls were allotted to traders who displayed their wares for sale. These wares included items of public interest. On the appointed day villagers from far and near, flocked to the place to see the fair called “Sadhu Mela”.
There was much dancing and merry making. Durms were beaten and rustic songs were sung. People passed singly or in groups through the bazaar and enjoyed themselves. There were huge crowds in front of the toy shops and the confectioners shop. At some places acrobats and rope dances were showing their feats. At another place merry go- rounds were crowded with boys and girls, men and women. The jugglers and snake charmers had also a busy time. The snake charmer played on his flute pipe which was giving a melodious tune. Before his flute were dancing serpents. They seemed to be completely hypnotized by the sweet sound of the flute.
Village games like Kabhadi, tug of war, wrestling were specially arranged. In wrestling the renowned wrestlers from the adjoining villages came here to participate. It was each other. The winner was awarded a prize of one thousands rupees. The most interesting event of the fair was the oxen race through a flooded rice field. The winner was awarded a brass shield and cash prize of two thousands rupees. This year, it was won by our “ Mahesh”.
In the evening the fair broke up and people were seen hurrying back to their homes with arms full of toys and sweets. Many people who had came to buy or sell cattle were found joyful either with reins of good breed of cattle with them or the bags full of money. This fair which is held every year reminds people of the happy memories of the saint. It also brings the people of the far villages together to bring harmony and unity among the villagers.