RAS question
The Beneshwar Fair in southern Rajasthan is held at the confluence of which rivers?
Correct answer: (C) Mahi, Som, and Jakham.
The Beneshwar Fair in southern Rajasthan is held at the confluence of the Mahi, Som and Jakham rivers near Beneshwar Dham.
Explanation
Beneshwar Dham is important because the fair is tied to its river geography, not just to the temple complex. The official Devasthan Department report places Beneshwar Dham on an island at the confluence of the three rivers: Mahi, Som and Jakham. The report describes the Beneshwar fair as the biggest tribal fair, held from Magh Ekadashi to Magh Purnima, with the fair reaching its climax on Purnima when devotees bathe in the holy water at this three-river confluence. That is why the option naming Mahi, Som and Jakham is the only complete answer; pairs such as Som-Mahi alone miss the full Triveni Sangam setting.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Berach and Gambhiri are not the rivers named for Beneshwar Dham's confluence in the official Devasthan Department report.
- (B) Luni and Jawai do not match the Beneshwar Dham setting, which is identified with the Mahi, Som and Jakham rivers.
- (D) Chambal and Banas are a different river pair and are not linked by the Devasthan Department, Government of Rajasthan to the Beneshwar Fair's confluence.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan's fairs and festivals through their physical setting, a recurring RAS angle because cultural sites are often asked with their district, community and river geography. Beneshwar is especially testable because its tribal fair is anchored in the Triveni Sangam of southern Rajasthan.