The Kapil Muni fair takes place every year on Kartik Purnima at Kolayat in which district of Rajasthan?

The Kapil Muni Mela (Kolayat fair) is held every year at Kolayat in Bikaner district, Rajasthan, about 50 km from Bikaner city. It takes place in the month of Kartik, with the main bathing day on Kartik Purnima (the full moon, in October-November).

Kolayat is named after the sage Kapil Muni, who is regarded as the founder of the Samkhya school of Indian philosophy, one of the six orthodox schools (darshanas). According to tradition, Kapil Muni meditated at this place, under a peepal tree, on his way north-west, and found it so peaceful that he stayed here.

The centre of the fair is the Kolayat lake (Kapil Sarovar), which has 52 ghats and is lined with temples and pavilions. Pilgrims bathe in the lake on Kartik Purnima and float lamps (deepdan) on the water in the evening. The lake is surrounded by peepal and banyan trees. Many devotees consider a bath here as sacred as a bath at Pushkar.

Along with the religious rituals, a large cattle fair is held, where camels, cattle and horses are traded. Folk music and dances of Rajasthan add to the festive atmosphere.

Kapil Muni is also linked to the Gangasagar legend: the sons of King Sagar were burnt by his gaze, and Bhagiratha brought the Ganga down to free their souls. The Kapil Muni temple at Sagar Island (West Bengal) is the centre of the Gangasagar Mela.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Ajmer district has the Pushkar fair.
• ✗Jhalawar district has the Chandrabhaga fair at Jhalrapatan.
• ✗Nagaur district has the Ramdev cattle fair.