This fair is organised in the Tarnetar village. This village is quite negligible village in the map of Gujarat, but during the fair the village and its people comes out with huge energy and sprit to celebrate this wonderful Mela or 'fair'. This village is located in the Punchal region of Gujarat. This carnival of lively hood and happiness comes out during the Bhadarva Sud which roughly falls in the month of August and September.
According to the Legend it is sais that the great archer Arjun pierced the eye of the fish rotating at the edge of the pole with his arrow by looking at the its reflection in the water. On the success of the he married Durapadi in Sawamwar, which was held around the kund. This panchal region is considered to be the Durapadi native region. Therefore Tarnetar has great mythological significance in the Hindu reliogion.
So to celebrate this and keeping the custom alive the unmarried men and women in perfectly dressed in the traditional manner hope for their perfect match themselves. The grooms stands under the 'Chatri' significes that they are single status and the prospective brides goes under that Chatri and find their groom. There itself the marriages are finalised and the marriage is given after the fair is over.
Around 1 lakh people come each year. Members from different caste and tribe come here to celebrate this festival like Rabri, Kathi, Charans, Bharwads, Koli and other castes attend this gala carnival. The air of Gujarat is filled with fun and frolic all around. The devotees that come here to the Tarnetreshwar they first take a holy dip in the sacred kund to purify their soul which is adjacent to the temple situated there. Rituals and the prayers are performed in the Tarnetreshwar temple during 3 days festival. Bhajans are dedicated to lord shiva the melodious and spiritual bhajan are performed.
The opening of this festival is marked by the by the hosting of the huge flag on the dome of Tarnetreshwar temple.
On the first day of the festival the flag is carried by the devotees that come to the festival and mark the beginning of the festival.
Tourists from various part of the world come here to see this vibrant and vivacious fair of Gujarat. Gujarat is rich in tradition and culture the real Gujarat can be seen in the fair the handicraft and traditional items are out of the world. Tourist come here every year to know the incredible India.