Introduction:

The shrine of Kaila Devi is famous for the fair held here every year. The temple is situated on the banks of the Kalisil river in Karauli district of Rajasthan on the Trikut hills, 2 km from Kaila village. The official name for Kaila Devi, is Lahura. The erstwhile princely rulers of Karauli state used to believe that Kaila Devi protects their state from any kind of invasion.

The famous Kaila Devi fair is held during the Krishna Paksh of 'chaitra' and runs throughout the fortnight starting from 12th day of Chaitra Badi.

According to Gregorian calendar the fair happens to be in March or April.

This fair is held in honor of the deity Kaila Devi who is believed to be a form of Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Chamunda, the goddess of death. Animals are sacrificed outside the temple to propitiate the goddess.

It is one of the most acclaimed fairs of Rajasthan. Kaila devi is worshipped as the guardian deity by the Yadavas, the Khinchis, and the princess of Karauli. There is a small temple of Bhairon and that of Lord ‘Hanuman’ called 'Languriya' facing the Kaila Devi's shrine in the courtyard of Kaila Devi temple. Thousands of devotees from all the communities visit the place throughout the year. The fair attracts a lot of pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi and Haryana too.

Over 2 lakh pilgrims visit the place during the Kailadevi fair. Some of the devotees take this harsh journey without eating food and taking rest. The dances and singing tribeal men of Mina community makes the atmosphere lively.

The Village and temple

Kela Devi is also called Kalia Mata. Earlier the village was named Kalia after a sadhu called Kedar Giri who lived on the banks of the river Kali Sil.

Maharaja Gopal Singh of Yadava clan built a big and beautiful temple with dome whose apex was made from gold. Maharaja Bhanwarpal fabricated many buildings and the area soon acquired immense popularity for its sacredness and scenic charm.

Rituals

The devotees offer cash, coconuts, kajal (kohl), tikki (vermilion), sweets and bangles to the goddess which they bring along with themselves. The sight of performing the popular ritual of Kanak-Dandoti by the staunch devotees is quite thrilling.

They cover a distance of 15 to 20 kms. to the temple lying level to the ground and making lines with their hands and moves ahead along the line drawn untill they reach the temple. While some eat food and take rest during the journey, others don’t care about hunger and rest and endure the asperities of the ritual. Successors of Goli Bhagat, a great devotee of Kaila Devi, come from Agra to carry out his tradition of paying reverence at the shrine.

Large numbers of shops were set up which sell a variety of local articles. The dance performances of happiness and singing of songs in the praise of the deities by tribal men of Mina community lend the gaiety to the environment.