President Addressed Tribal Women at Beneshwar Dham, Rajasthan

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, spoke to a group of tribal women associated with various Self Help Groups in Rajasthan at Beneshwar Dham. 

• During the event, the President emphasized the importance of self-reliance for India. She explained that India can only become self-reliant when every unit of the country is self-reliant. 
• The President praised Self Help Groups and their members for promoting self-reliance. 
• She also expressed her happiness in knowing that these groups are not only providing working capital but also contributing to the creation of human and social capital.

About Beneshwar Dham

Beneshwar Dham is a holy pilgrimage site in Sabala tehsil, about 60 km from the headquarters of Dungarpur, a tribal dominated district of Rajasthan. It is also known as Haridwar of tribals, Pushkar of Bagad and Kumbh of Bagad.

Beneshwar Dham Fair

Beneshwar Dham is the only place in Rajasthan, which is situated at the sacred confluence of Som, Mahi and Jakham rivers. Every year a huge fair is held here on Magh Shukla Purnima, in which a large number of tribals from not only Rajasthan but also from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh participate. It is also called the Kumbh of the tribals and the famous fair of the Bhils.

Holy place of Saint Mavji

Beneshwar Dham Saint Mavji had performed penance in Beneshwar Dham 300 years ago. The Magh Mela of Beneshwar Dham, the holy place of Mavji, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devotees coming to the fair have darshan of Lord Shiva after taking a dip in the Sangam.

Tribes in Rajasthan

Bhils

The Bhils are the main tribe of Rajasthan and comprise around 39% of the total tribal population in the region. The Bhils dominate the Banswara area of Rajasthan. The Baneshwar festival in Dungarpur is a significant gathering of Bhils where they celebrate by singing and dancing. Additionally, Holi is another festival that is celebrated by Bhils. The Bhil culture has deep-rooted superstitions.

Minas

Minas, the second-largest tribe in Rajasthan, originally resided in the Indus Valley Civilization. They dominate the area of Shekhawati and other eastern parts of Rajasthan.

Gadiya Lohars

Originally a martial tribe, Gadiya Lohars got their name from the attractive bullock carts known as gadis. Nowadays, they are nomadic blacksmiths. They left their homeland after Maharana Pratap was defeated in the battle of Chittorgarh by Emperor Akbar.

Garasias

Garasias, a small Rajput tribe residing in southern Rajasthan along the Abu Road area, have an interesting custom of elopement for marriage.

Sahariyas

The Sahariyas are a tribe of jungle dwellers found in the southern Rajasthan areas of Kota, Dungarpur and Sawai Madhopur. They are believed to have originated from the Bhil community and are considered to be the most backward tribe in Rajasthan. The main sources of their livelihood are hunting and fishing.

Damors

Damors, who were primarily farmers and laborers, migrated from Gujarat to Rajasthan and settled in the districts of Udaipur and Dungarpur.

Other tribes of Rajasthan include:

• Meo and Banjara, the traveling tribes
• Rabaris, the cattle breeders
• Kathodi, inhabiting Mewar region)
• Kanjar
• Sansi