Dewa Sharif is a religious & holy shrine of Haji Waris Ali Shah, in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. This town is also known by the name of Dewa Sharif in respect for the shrine.
Approximately Dewa is 41 kms (25 miles) far from Lucknow. One can easily reach through the public transports such as a cab or bus & trains too from Charbagh Railway station.
Dewa Mela
HIGHLIGHTS OF FAIR AND EXHIBITION
The Dewa Fair, which attracts pilgrims and visitors from all parts of the country to the mausoleum of the great Saint, comes in full swing with the ceremony of Chadar presentation on the tombs of Haji Waris Ali Shah and his father. Embroided sheets of Varanasi Silk are placed on the tombs of Haji Sahab and his father Haji Qurban Ali Shah.
These sheets are carried in silver plates in a procession. Qawwalis and devotional songs are recited all the way by professional singers as the procession wends its way to the mausoleums. Pilgrims also carry Chadars singing their way to the shrines.
There is much of interest to the peasantry in Dewa Fair. A big cattle market is the highlight of the fair and is the main source of its revenue. The cattle market has been split into various portions each being reserved for a particular species of animals.
The demonstration of improved agricultural implements and engines for pumping of water for irrigation draw large crowd of cultivators. Concerns dealing in chemicals fertilizers arrange free distribution of packets and literature explaining the use and effects of various types of fertilizers.
The cynosure of all eyes at the Dewa Fair is a decorated exhibition consisting of stalls of various departments, depicting the activities and achievements through colourful exhibits arranged in any eye-catching manner. The exhibits portray through pictures, photographs and models methods to contain the population explosion. In another stall are placed on view various exhibits showing the cultural life and historical places of the state and also national building schemes.
Some field demonstrations are also arranged by agriculture and Cane departments to explain improved farm strategies to agriculturists. Improved agricultural implements are also on show.
A good treat of cultural programmes are held at the fair by conducting Mushaira, Kavi sammelan, Music Conference and Debate in a decorated pandal.
Sports loving people find great pleasure in events like Hockey, Volleyball, and Badminton tournaments as well as Rifle shooting and Kite Flying programmes.
The Dewa Fair which is regarded as one of the finest and neatest fair in the state has its own water supply arrangement. The exhibition association every year spend large amounts in maintaining sanitary and conservancy service to keep the Mela area spite and span. Treatment facilities and First-Aid services are provided free of cost during the ten days Mela period. An elaborate arrangement is made to maintain law and order and regulate traffic arrangement by having a full-fledged Kotwali, Wireless Station, Walkie-Talkie sets and central Loudspeaker system. Evenings, in the fair provide greater attractions for the visitors as the entire township in the fair is transformed into a fairy land with millions of colored lights.
