Madhavpur Fair – Madhavpur, Porbandar, Gujarat

One of the most memorable event of Shri Krishna’s life which embarks him as God of love is his marriage to devi Rukmani. Krishna’s wife Rukmani was daughter of legendary King Bhishmak who ruled his kingdom ‘Vidarbha’ (today’s Arunachal Pradesh). Rukmani was deeply in love with Krishna and was determined to marry him. But her brother loaded with disgust towards Krishna, forced her to get married to Shishupal. Rukmani opposed but when her father too agreed and supported her brother’s decision, she wrote a letter to Krishna to save her from the situation and declared a fast up to death if he didn’t come. That letter is referred as first love letter in the history of Love. On the day of her marriage with Shishupal in the presence of hundreds of kings, Krishna with help of his brother Balram takes  Rukmani from Vidarba and marries . devi Rukmani at Madhavpur on the seashore near Dwarika, close to Porbandar (in today’s time). This immortal event of love gets celebrated as a festival at Madhavpur in the memory Shri Krishna, devi Rukmani, and the journey they undertook to reach to Gujarat from Arunachal Pradesh. This annual fair is a five day long event organized at Madhavpur village starting on the day of ‘Ram Navami’. A colourful chariot is adorned with an idol of Krishna placed in it, which circumnavigates the village with full of joy and festivity. People celebrates this event with colours and dance. The best part of this fair is that, that with the passage of time and with the efforts of the people it keeps evolving. Without compromising on traditional and religious importance of the same, it also blends cultures of eastern and western parts of India now. Such amalgamation sets the true example of 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' for other parts of the country as well.  Exhibition and sale of art and crafts of Gujarat and handloom, handicrafts products from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and other North-Eastern states remains the favourite part of the event. Visual Art Exhibition on Krishna and Rukmani put together by different institutions of Ministry of Culture has also been one of the main attractions of the visitor of this fair. Every year lots of new and contemporary ideas are added to this week long fair keeping the Krishna-Rukmani as centre of this amazing event. Why it is must to visit this Fair: This week long fair is a rare combination where two different regions unite and exchange culture and art in addition to love. This fair celebrates 'Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat' in true sense. Exchanging energy with lots of Krishna lovers and Krishna believers gathered in one place is definitely once in a life time experience. This also introduces the art, culture, dance and music of two regions in place at the same time; the idea itself is so enticing, that it invites any soul on this land of ‘Madhav’ to be part of this fair.