Believe it or not! But it’s true that Amalaki Gyaras, falling on March 10, 2025, speaks the story of an amla tree and the search for a life partner by bachelors. This unique Fair is quite a unique folk tradition which has been bringing blessings for bachelors.
In tribal communities, Amalaki Gyaras is a significant festival for unmarried boys and girls seeking a life partner. On this auspicious day, young men and women enthusiastically participate in fairs and perform rituals centered around the Amla tree, believed to be sacred. They worship the tree, circumambulate it while remembering Lord Krishna, and offer prayers to find their desired match within a year.
As part of the ritual, the youth decorate the tree with a series of lamps and walk around it in odd-numbered circles, offering fruits, money, dry fruits, and oleander flowers at its base. They also sing and dance to traditional Phaguni Shringar songs while carrying branches of the Amla tree back home, convinced that the divine presence in the tree will bless them with their chosen partner within the next year. The atmosphere resonates with joyous melodies and youthful aspirations, as participants sweeten their mouths with jaggery and ‘Mazam,’ a special delicacy prepared for this festival. While many may not observe fasts throughout the year, on Amalaki Gyaras, they undertake a day-long fast as part of their devotion.
Gratitude from Married Couples
The festival is not only for the unmarried. Those who found their life partners after praying at the previous year’s Amalaki Gyaras return to express their gratitude. They offer coconuts and prayers to the Amla tree, thanking the divine for fulfilling their wishes and seeking blessings for happiness, prosperity, and a blissful married life. Mythological beliefs associate the Amla tree with Lord Vishnu, and it is said that worshiping it brings good fortune.
Celebrations Across the Vagad Region
On Amalaki Gyaras, fairs across the Vagad region, including places like Ghuri Ranchhod Tirtha near Motagaon in Banswara district, Bhimkund Dham (associated with Mahabali Bheem), Kushalgarh near the Madhya Pradesh border, Mangaleshwar Mahadev temple in Nahli, as well as Jasaila and Likhatia temples in Dungarpur district, come alive with festive fervor. The Simalwara area near the Gujarat border also hosts grand celebrations, painting the landscape with the vibrant hues of Phagun.
Amalaki Gyaras is more than just a fair; it is a beautiful confluence of faith, tradition, and cultural heritage that continues to thrive in the hearts of the tribal communities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
Every day brings a new festival and a message of hope in the Dakshinanchal region of Rajasthan (Banswara, Dungarpur, and surrounding areas). These celebrations offer a beautiful glimpse into the cultural and social traditions of the tribal communities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Throughout the year, vibrant fairs and festivals highlight the joyful spirit of folk life, with people actively participating in devotion and merriment, embracing the essence of these traditions.
Unique Cultural Traditions
Indian cultural traditions are rich and diverse, with ancient customs and folk traditions manifesting in different forms across the country. However, the southern part of Rajasthan is home to many unique traditions that have remained an integral part of folk life for centuries. Among these is the grand celebration of Holi in the Vagad region. Unlike other areas where Holi lasts for just a couple of days, here, the festival extends for a fortnight. The festivities commence on Amalaki Gyaras, four days before Holi, when fairs are held at various temples, and the region is immersed in a vibrant display of colors and flavors of the Phagun season.
(The writer of the article is Dr Deepak Acharya)