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The famous shrine of Shri Sonana Khetlaji in the village
Sonana of district Pali is the site of the two-day Khetlaji Fair, held
every year on Chaitra Shukla Budi of the lunar calendar. The fair attracts
large number of devotees who congregate here during the fair held in
honour of the deity, Khetlaji. It is held by many devotees that the deity
has powers to grant wishes. Many devotees arrive to pray for fulfilment of
their wishes, for thanksgiving, after their wishes have been granted.
The fair is a grand occasion for the local populace from the adjoining
area, who pour in, dressed in their best, right from day-break. It is also
a gala occasion for shopping. Traders of all kinds can be seen doing brisk
business. Body tattooing shops are also the hot-spots of activity and
troupes of Gair dancers add colours to these festive spirits. One can
identify the various styles of Gair as each area has a style peculiar to
it and representatives of most styles can be seen performing here.
However, it is the hundreds of horses at the fair that steal the show.
Thoroughbred and well-trained 'Marwari' horses perform many a trick and
even dance to the rhythms of local drums much to the amazement of the
onlookers.
Sonana is 65 kms. from Pali. Pali is well connected by road and rail to major cities of the state.