Rajasthan is famous for its folk culture and glorious history. People are highly influenced by folk beliefs and faith. The Goga Ji Fair in Churu, Rajasthan, is a prominent religious festival celebrated in honour of Goga Ji Maharaj, also known as Jahar Veer Gogga, a local folk deity known for his powers to protect devotees from snake bites. The fair typically takes place between August and September, coinciding with Goga Navami and lasts for three days. The fair is held every year at Gogamedi, a village located in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. The fair is also known for its lively folk performances, including traditional Rajasthani music and dance. Apart from humans, animals are also seen performing stunts. Men dance in women’s attire, which is a major attraction for the crowd coming to the fair. This year, the mela was held from August 19 to September 18.
Another major attraction of the fair was the camel and mare dance competition. The mare was seen dancing between barbed wires which were lit with fire. The men dress as women and perform stunts on the mare.
This year, Rohitash Kuldiya of Bibasar village of Jhunjhunu got first place in the camel dance competition and Nekiram of Chhawasari got second place. In the mare dance competition, Sanvataram of Asalkheri got first place and Bhavani Singh of village Karanga Bara got second place.
A grand jagran was organised at Gogamedi on the night of the fair, where bhajan singers enthralled the audience. The program began with Ganesh Vandana by Akash Nath Maharaj of Jharia Dham. After this, Akash Nath ji mesmerised the audience with bhajans like Balaji ne laad ladave mata anjani. Dhyan Nath and Vidyanath Maharaj performed Bachal Mata Bethi Jharokha Re Maay, while Abhay Nath, Maharaj of Sonasar, Jhunjhunu also won the hearts of the devotees with another bhajan.
Devotees offer milk, flowers, and snake-shaped idols at the temple to seek blessings from Goga Ji. It’s also a hub for traders, especially those dealing in livestock, and offers amusement rides, folk performances, and local handicrafts for visitors.
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