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Sayla is the centre for
ikkat silk weaving. The Bharwad shepherds and other communities
around Sayla are also known for their intricate beadwork on
fabrics.
About 20 minutes drive from Sayla is the village of Somasar
known for its silk and cotton weaving. Sejathpur, about the
same distance from Sayla, is a Kathi village known for its
beadwork.
Wadhwan, 37 km from Sayla, is known for its bandhani tie-and-dye,
brassware and other handiwork.
Than ( 56 km from Sayla) is known for ceramic and terra-cotta
cottage industries.
Sayla falls in a region
known as Jhalawar which had five salute and five non-salute
Jhala Rajput princely states, one Parmara Rajput princely
state and other historic states. A visit to numerous towns
and villages in one-hour radius of Sayla offers an opportunity
to see the fortified towns and historic buildings of these
erstwhile princely states.
Muli, 12 km from Sayla, has impressive old buildings, a medieval
stepwell and an imposing Swaminarayan Temple Complex. A tour
of the monuments of Muli can be combined with a visit to the
weavers of Somasar.
Wadhwan was another walled town with attractive old buildings.
The Ranakdevi Temple is worth a visit and the Hawa Mahal (a
wind pavilion) is an imposing monument. A full day excursion
from Sayla can include the stepwell near Rampara, the artisans
at work on bandhini tie-and-dye and metal-crafts at Wadhwan
(Brassware can also be bought at Wadhwan), the historic sites
of Wadhwan, wildlife-viewing at Lathura-Kathura and birding
at lakes.
Limbdi was another Jhala Rajput State with old Regency buildings.
A visit to Limbdi can be combined with Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
and the 18th century Ramsagar Lake with its attractive embankments.
A tour of the walled town of Sayla with its Lalji Maharaj
Temple, Darbargadh and weavers can also be combined with Sejathpur's
historic Navlakha Temple associated with interesting events
and folk tales.
The Old Bell Guest House
can arrange visits to the Kolis at Kesharpar village (10 km
away), the Bharwad pastoral people around Sayla, and other
communities during a visit to Sayla.
Sayla is called `Bhagat-no-Gaum'
or the village of the pilgrims because of its famous Hindu
and Jain Temples. The Lalji Maharaj's Math, Jain Derasar and
Kashi Vishwanath Temple attract many pilgrims to Sayla and
the hilltop Chamunda Temple at Chotila 39 km away is also
an important pilgrimage with many devout Hindu followers of
the Mataji or Mother Goddess making the climb to the summit,
worth visiting for its views.
Every year, thousands of
Bharwads and other communities of the Kathiawad peninsula,
gather at the Trineteshwar Temple at Tarnetar, 66 km from
Sayla, for one of the most spectacular fairs in Gujarat during
Bhadrapad Sud 4th, 5th and 6th of the Indian calendar falling
in August - September. This is the time to photograph these
pastoral groups at their colourful best.
The focal point of this fair is the Trineteshwar Temple, believed
to be very ancient and to have been built in the 13th century
but in its present form built by the Baroda royal family in
the 19th century. According to local folklore, Tarnetar is
the site where Arjuna won the hand of Draupadi during a Swayamwara
by shooting the eye of a rotating fish selecting the direction
from its reflection in a pond. Many other myths and legends
surround Tarnetar. According to some locals, the Ganges flowed
through this region before changing course.
The fair begins at the temple of Trineteshwar, the temple
to the three-eyed god Shiva, with bhajans, kirtans and other
devotional music. The sacred tank of the temple is considered
especially holy during the fair when many devotees consider
ritual bathing in these waters on these days as purifying
as a bath in the River Ganges.
While the temple courtyard resounds with prayers and music,
the atmosphere at the fairground is colourful and festive.
Tens of thousand gather at the fair grounds for the music
and dancing, to enjoy the giant wheels and other entertainment,
and shop for handicrafts and local products. As the music
reaches a crescendo, people start gathering for the dances.
The dandiya ras is performed by men carrying sticks that are
struck together at regular intervals. Raas is a simple dance
based on the Gope culture of Lord Krishna, followed by pastoral
groups like the Ahirs and Bharwads. The dance usually performed
by the Bharwads is the Hudo, a former of Raas or garba that
is vigorous with clapping or striking of sticks according
to the rhythm. Some believe it is a game of matching strength,
vigour and rhythm between the men, while others feel Bharwads
being a shepherd community it is inspired by the fighting
between rams.
The eligible Bharwad is quite a peacock. He wears richly embroidered
jackets and waistbands, colourful turbans and even the mojdis
(footwear) is embroidered, sporting a beautifully embroidered
umbrella to signify bachelor hood. The women are dressed in
their most colourful clothes and wear attractive jewellery.
Women walk up to the men of their choice for conversation,
which usually leads to their betrothal after the elders meet
to finalise the wedding.
Other festivals like Navratri, Holi, Diwali, Makar Sankranti
are also celebrated at Sayla.
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