Ethnobotanical study on certain unique traditional fairs of shravan month in Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

India is a land of fairs and festivals which depicts rich cultural legacy of the country. As per Hindu calendar, ‘Shravan’ is a very auspicious month for observing fasts and doing religious worship of Lord Shiva. In this month, some unique traditional social fairs are organized in Udaipur city where people come from various states of India to sell their products. On all mondays of Shravan month, a fair called as ‘Sakhiya Somvar’ is organized in Sajjan Niwas garden and a two days fair is held on new moon day of Shravan month locally known as ‘Hariyali Amavasya’ in Fatehsagar lakeside and nearby areas. Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out to these two prominent fairs of Shravan for the first time to explore plant based art and craft items and items of miscellaneous uses. Information obtained from 19 sellers revealed information about 23 plant species belonging to 14 angiosperm families which were being used to make many creative items of domestic, decorative, dietary, and/or personal uses. Besides, some interesting aspects of urban botanical knowledge were also visible in these traditional fairs. This paper highlights the association and significance of various plant and their products in human life. It further indicates importance of such fairs for maintaining cultural heritage, demonstrating traditional skills as well as for generating additional income.