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Kolayat Fair: the Kapil Muni mela on Kartik Purnima
Floating lamps on a stepped desert lake, one full-moon night a year
The Kolayat Fair, also called the Kapil Muni fair, is held in Kolayat, a small town in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, about 50 km from Bikaner. It falls on Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the month of Kartik (October–November), and the day before: pilgrims bathe in Kapil Sarovar, a stepped artificial lake, float clay lamps on it in the evening and trade camels at the livestock fair on its shore. Next dates: 23–24 November 2026.
The days follow the full moon; the Bikaner district administration notifies the arrangements a few weeks ahead.
The legend
Tradition holds that the Vedic sage Kapila, revered by followers of the Sankhya philosophy, left his body at Kolayat.
Marble temples, sandstone pavilions and 52 ghats ring the man-made Kapil Sarovar lake, with Kapila's temple by the water.
The fair, also called the Kapil Muni fair, falls on the Kartik full moon, when a dip in the lake is believed to wash away sins.
Customs
Lamps on the water
In the evening comes the Deep Puja, when pilgrims float thousands of clay lamps on the lake.
Tales of Kapila
Storytellers sing and tell the tales of Kapila, and all 52 ghats are decorated for the fair.
Trade on the shore
Alongside the pilgrimage runs a livestock fair, mostly for trading camels.
Why pilgrims come to Kolayat
Kolayat is tied to Kapila, the Vedic sage revered as the teacher of Sankhya, one of the classical schools of Hindu philosophy. Rajasthan Tourism tells it this way: Kapila was travelling to the northwest, was so taken by the stillness of this place that he broke his journey and stayed to perform tapasya (penance) for the good of the world. Another tradition holds that he left his body here, under a peepul tree.
The lake around which the town grew is ringed by marble temples, sandstone pavilions and 52 ghats (bathing steps), with Kapila's temple by the water. On the Kartik full moon a dip in Kapil Sarovar is believed to wash away sins, and devotees of the Sankhya tradition come for it in their thousands.
How the fair runs
The core of the fair is two days, the eve of the full moon and the full moon itself. Locally it is announced as a three-day Kartik Purnima mela, opened by raising the dharma flag.
- Opening
The fair opens with the dharma flag being raised and a maha-aarti, a great lamp offering, in the presence of the mahant (head priest) of the Kapil Muni dham. The ghats are decorated for the fair.
- The lamp evening
On the full-moon evening comes the Deep Puja: pilgrims set thousands of clay lamps afloat on Kapil Sarovar. This is the peak of the fair.
- Bathing
The holy dip is taken on the full moon. Besides the main ghat there is a separate women's ghat (zanana ghat).
- Stories and trade
Storytellers sing the tales of Kapila, and alongside the pilgrimage runs a livestock fair, mostly for camels.
Getting there
Kolayat is about 50 km from Bikaner, on the highway towards Jaisalmer. Bikaner, with its railway station and hotels, is the natural base for a day trip. The days follow the full moon, and the Bikaner district administration notifies the fair arrangements a few weeks ahead.
At the ghats
Kolayat is a pilgrimage first and a fair second.
- Shoes off near the water — Leave footwear before the temple and the bathing steps.
- The women's ghat is for women — Do not photograph bathers, least of all at the zanana ghat.
- Crowds on the steps — The ghats are crowded on the full moon. Keep children close and follow police directions; for general advice see is India safe.
The same full moon elsewhere in Rajasthan
Kolayat is one of several fairs of Kartik Purnima. The Chandrabhaga Fair in Jhalawar falls on the same full moon, and the Pushkar Mela builds towards it.
FAQ
When is the Kolayat fair?
On Kartik Purnima and the day before: next, 23–24 November 2026. It usually falls in November.
In which state is the Kolayat festival celebrated?
In Rajasthan, at Kolayat in Bikaner district, about 50 km from Bikaner.
In which month is the Kapil Muni fair held?
In the Hindu month of Kartik, on its full moon, which falls in October or November; most years it is November.
Is there a camel fair at Kolayat?
Yes. A livestock fair, mostly for trading camels, runs alongside the pilgrimage on the lake shore.
Who was Kapil Muni?
Kapila, a Vedic sage revered as the teacher of Sankhya philosophy. Tradition holds that he performed penance at Kolayat, and by one account left his body there.
Sources (3)
Facts checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.