Fairs & Festivals Details - gujarattourisms.in

Fairs & Festivals

Navratri

Description of Gujarat festivals is incomplete without the mention of Navratri. Celebrated for nine long days with huge pomp and show, Navratri is dedicated to all the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Communities come together to dance in unison during garba, a seemingly simple dance, where the crowd moves together in a synchronised circular movement.

Navratri, meaning ‘nine nights’, is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in many parts of India. Gujarat, however, is the only state that erupts into a nine-night dance festival, perhaps the longest in the world. Each night, all over the state, villages and cities alike, people gather in open spaces to celebrate feminine divinity, referred to as Shakti.

Garba Festival

Garba happens at night in villages and neighborhoods all around Gujarat, so just step outside and follow the booming garba music. Vadodara and Ahmedabad are considered the cultural capital of Gujarat, and the most sought-after location for celebrating Vibrant Navratri. Try to visit at least one village garba too, for a range of experiences.

Chaitra Navratri

Chaitra Navratri is nine days festivity which starts on the first day of Hindu Luni-Solar calendar and falls in the month of March or April. Chaitra is the first month of Hindu lunar calendar and because of it this Navratri is known as Chaitra Navratri. Chaitra Navratri is also known as Vasanta Navratri.

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Kite Festival

The festival of Uttarayan is a uniquely Gujarati phenomenon, when the skies over most cities of the state fill with kites from before dawn until well after dark. The festival marks the days in the Hindu calendar when winter begins turning to summer, known as Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan. On what is usually a bright warm sunny day with brisk breezes to lift the kites aloft, across the state almost all normal activity is shut down and everyone takes to the rooftops and roadways to fly kites and compete with their neighbors.

Kites of all shapes and sizes are flown, and the main competition is to battle nearby kite-flyers to cut their strings and bring down their kites. For this, people find their favored kite-makers who prepare strong resilient kite bodies with springy bamboo frames and kite-paper stretched to exactly the right tension. Lastly, the kites are attached to a spool (or firkin) of manja, special kite-string coated with a mixture of glue and glass to be as sharp as possible for cutting strings of rival kites. Production of kites and kite supplies can be seen on the streets of Ahmedabad beginning in November, to get ready for Uttarayan, and nowhere more so than in Patang Bazaar, the special kite market that appears in the old city. For the week preceding the festival, it is open 24 hours a day for all kite lovers to stock up for the festivities.

Parents who normally find their children hard to get out of bed for school will find them setting the alarm for 5 am on 14th Jan., to get up and start flying kites in the ideal pre-dawn wind. The atmosphere is wonderfully festive, as whole families gather on the rooftop, special foods like laddu, undhiyu or surti jamun are prepared for eating over the course of the day, and friends and neighbors visit each other for group kite-flying fun. Often people look out for which of their friends has the optimum terrace for kite flying and many will congregate there. This leads to many social gatherings that would not otherwise occur, as one person’s brother’s friends meet their classmate’s cousins, because they have all gathered on the rooftop of the same mutual friend. People often find themselves marking time by uttarayan: “I met you three uttarayan ago, right?” is a not uncommon phrase. At night, kite fighters send up bright white kites to be seen in the darkness, and skilled flyers will send aloft their tukkals with strings of brightly lit lanterns in a long line leading back down to the rooftop. From early morning to late at night, uttarayan provides lots of fun and beautiful sights to remember for a long time.

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Tarnetar

The Tarnetar Festival is a three-day long celebration held in the month of August or September in the village of Tarnetar, Surendranagar district, Gujarat, India. The festival is based on the legend of Draupadi’s swayamvara, where Arjuna pierced the eye of a rotating fish by looking at its reflection on the water to win her hand in marriage.

The festival attracts over 50,000 people from the region, with the main castes participating being the Kolis, Rabaris, Bharwads, Khants, Kanbis, Kathis, Charans, the Harijans, and the Desh-rabaris.

History and Significance

The festival is believed to have started 200-250 years ago and is held on the grounds of the temple of Triniteshwar Mahadev, also known as the three-eyed God. The old temple was ruined, but a new one was built by the Gaekwads of Vadodara in the 19th century and is now the focal point of the festival.

Celebrations

The festival is a vibrant celebration of Gujarati culture, with traditional music, dance, costumes, and arts taking center stage. The main attraction is the unique matchmaking fair, where young men and women from the region gather to find their life partners. The men carry colorful umbrellas and the women wear red zimi (ladies dress) while dancing and swirling around.

Other Attractions

Traditional music and dance performances
Beautiful art and craft work of Gujarat
Game counters, swings, and recreational activities for children
Magic shows, photographers’ stalls, and tattoo artists’ stalls
Multiple types of dance forms, including dandiya raas

Location and Dates

The festival takes place in Tanetar Village, Surendranagar District, Gujarat, India. The dates vary each year, but it usually falls on the Hindu calendar dates of Bhadarva Sud – 4th, 5th, and 6th (during the Gregorian calendar months of August and September).

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Runn Utsav

A plethora of varied hues, profusion of design, superfluity of culture, cornucopia of music and dance, all together in the arid lands of Kutch creates a mosaic of exquisiteness which reflects the identity and spirit of the region. Kutch, one of the most ecologically and ethnically diverse district of the state is a celebratory land of art, crafts, music, dance, people and nature. During the full moon night of the winters amid the awe-inspiring and contrasting landscape each year a three day festive extravaganza brimming with hospitality, vigor and traditional flavor of the area is hosted and known as the Kutch or Rannutsav.

The Rann of Kutch is only white or salt dessert in India, which is located in the Kutch district of Gujarat state. The Rann of Kutch is famous for its uniqueness and Rann Utsav. Rann Utsav holds each year during three months of the winter season. People all around the world visit Rann of Kutch and enjoy the Rann Utsav.

This three to four day carnival organized at the various locales within Kutch takes one around the natural grandiose while introducing the visitor to the indigenous cultural and ethnical flavor of the people. Semi parched Grasslands of the Banni hosts the most magnificent display of vernacular architecture as the exhibition platform for the varied range of arts and crafts of the region. While an array of folk music and dance performances organized in the shimmering moonlit landscape provides the most enchanting experience. The colorful fairs held near the beach or the banks of a lake swings one with the spirit of festivity, fervor and flamboyancy while the organized tour around Kutch is an ideal occasion to be part of the region and experience the zeal and uniqueness of the people through a celebration of life!

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Saputara Monsoon Festival

Saputara is one of the prominent hill stations of Gujarat situated at an elevation of around 3000 ft above sea level; it is visited joyously by people in and around Gujarat. It is on flat terrain in the Dang forest zone of Western Ghats i.e. Sahyadri range. It stands for the ‘Abode of Serpents’.

The local communities here worship a snake’s image on the banks of the river Sarpaganga on the day of Holi. Saputara was developed as a planned hill station offering facilities like guesthouses, gardens, swimming pools, a boat club, an auditorium, rope ways, and a museum by Gujarat Tourism.

The temperature in summer reaches up to 32°C and goes down to 27°C. In winter, conversely, the temperature stays between 16°C to 10°C. Though, monsoons here receive an average rainfall (from July to September) of 255 cm every year. Hence, it is the reason behind organizing Saputara Monsoon Festival annually.

Gujarat Tourism organizes the Saputara monsoon festival (also known as Saputara Monsoon Megh Malhar Parva) every year and the schedule for current year is recently announced. Generally, it is organized by Gujarat Tourism with a view the aim of endorsing Saputara as a hill station and catching people’s attention towards its numerous natural and traditional lures. This festival features a large number of activities and attractions for those visiting Saputara in this period. Various cultural events and boat races are the prime charms here.

Gujarat Tourism official website has already announced the event dates on their event calendar and the information is mentioned below.

Important dates and information from Saputara Monsoon Festival:

Dates: July 28th to August 27, 2024
Event Name: Saputara Monsoon Festival
Venue: Near Lake Area, Saputara

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Dangs Festivals

Celebrated few days before Holi, Dang Darbar is an important Tribe festival of Gujarat. The Tribal festival is commemorated to honor the forefathers of five kings of Gadhavi, Pimpri, Amala-Linga, Vasurana and Daher. On this festival, all the five kings receive pensions from the state government. Festival tradition is believed to be 150 years old, even after independence the festival continued, though in 1954 the privileges of the kings and naiks were cancelled and instead hereditary political pension was granted to them.

Dates: The festival is typically held a few days before Holi, and the exact dates are declared by the forest department about 2 months in advance.
Location: The festival takes place in Ahwa District, Gujarat.
Purpose: The festival is celebrated to honor the forefathers of five kings of Gadhavi, Pimpri, Amala-Linga, Vasurana, and Daher.
Traditions: During the festival, tourists can find stalls exhibiting art and craft items made by tribal people. Visitors can also see various Tribal dance forms and enjoy the traditional attire of the Bhils, Kunbis, Warlis, and Gamits.
Significance: The festival honors the tradition of rulers and other heads of villages gathering for durbars during the British rule over India. The tradition continues today in the Dangs, a tribal-dominated district, as many of the former Rajas and Naiks are still accorded status.
How to Reach: One can reach Ahwa by road from Saputara by private taxi or self-drive car. The road distance between Saputara and Ahwa is approximately 42 kilometers. For people from states other than Gujarat, the nearest major railhead is Surat.
Accommodation: Visitors can find various accommodation options in Ahwa, including hotels, resorts, and homestays. It is recommended to book in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.
Best Time to Visit: The festival is typically held in March-April each year, making it a great time to visit the region. The weather is pleasant, and the festival atmosphere is lively and vibrant.

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Bhavnath Fair

Bhavnath Mahadev Temple in the Junagarh district becomes the perfect venue for a spectacular carnival called Bhavnath Fair. The Bhavnath festival begins on the night of Maha Shivratri festival, a huge procession of sages, decked up in ornaments, seated on elephants, proceed to the temple and the sound of which reverberates through the entire district.

Procession marks the commencement of an inflammatory religious ceremony.

Local says that Lord Shiva visit this temple during the Maha Shivratri. Nearby the temple is a mountain range called Girnar, which is the abode of the nine immortal nathas (nine saints), and eighty-four siddhas (perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical and spiritual perfection), all of whom also visit the temple in their invisible spirit forms during Mahashivaratri. One can feel the festival vibes through the traditional Bhavai theatre.

Before paying a visit to the temple, pilgrimages perform Parikrama of Girnar Hill, a hilly area nearby the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple. Pilgrimages serve food for free. Stalls of art and craft are set in the fair. For the first time visitors, it is advisable to visit in groups at the fair takes place on the large scale and is brimming with revelry and mysticism.

When: During the Gregorian months of February-March: commencing from the Hindu calendar date of Magh Vad 11

Where: Bhavnath Mahadev Temple near Damodar Kund, at Girnar Taleti

Duration: 5 days

Fairs & Festivals	Place	2020
Bhavnath Fair	Junagadh	Feb 21 – Feb 25

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Shamlaji Fair

In the month of November, pilgrims in huge numbers make their way to the Shamlaji fair. People visit Shamlaji fair to take a holy dip in the pious Meshwo River, which looks best during the festival, sparkling and pristine. Goddess Shamlaji, whom tribes call Kaliyo Dev (Dark Divinity), is revered by the people of Tribal community as they have faith in the power of the divinity.

During the festival, one can see barter of silver jewellery, clothes, house items and many other household items.

Shamlaji is small shrine on the bank of Meshwo River. It is one of the rare temples of Lord Krishna where cow idols are also worshipped depicting his childhood as a cowherd. Built of sandstone and brick, this two storey architecture is believed to be 500 years old. Exteriors walls are adorned with frescos that depict episodes from the epics- Ramayana and Mahabharata.

When: Around the month of November. Kartik Purnima (Full moon night)

Where: Shamlaji, Sabarkantha district, Near the border between Gujarat and Rajasthan

Duration: Three Weeks

Fairs & Festivals	Place	2019
Shamlaji Fair	Shamlaji	Oct 31 – Nov 04

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Modhera Dance Festival

Silent Sun Temple of Modhera emits red and golden hues from every corner and illuminates the quaintness January nights during the Modhera Dance Festival. The epic masterpiece of Solanki Empire, Modhera Sun Temple, reverberates with the rhythmic beats of prancing steps during the festival. Dance and musical events organized during the festival celebrates the uniqueness of dance and art of this part of the area. Modhera Dance Festival brings together brilliant dancers and musicals to perform an amazing musical, intermingled with their origin.

The Modhera Dance Festival is a three-day celebration of classical dance, music, culture, and art held annually at the Sun Temple in Modhera, Gujarat, India. The festival is organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL) and is a unique cultural platform that showcases the traditions and diversity of India through art and dance.

Dates and Location

The Modhera Dance Festival is typically held in the third week of January every year. The festival takes place at the ancient Sun Temple in Modhera, which is located in the Patan district of Gujarat.

Performances and Events

The festival features a range of performances and events, including:

Classical dance forms such as Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathak
Music performances by renowned artists
Dance and music events that celebrate the cultural heritage of Gujarat
Traditional folk dances and music from different regions of India

How to Reach

The city of Modhera is easily accessible by road, rail, and air. The nearest airport is Ahmedabad International Airport, which is approximately 100 km from Modhera. The nearest railway station is Mehsana railway station, which is about 40 km from Modhera. Local buses and taxis are available from Ahmedabad and Mehsana to Modhera.

Accommodation

Visitors can find a range of accommodation options in Modhera, including hotels, resorts, and homestays. It is recommended to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak travel season.

Tips and Essentials

The festival is usually held in January, so it’s best to pack warm clothing.
Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended for the festival.
Don’t forget to carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
Try to arrive early to secure a good spot to watch the performances.
Be respectful of the temple and its surroundings, and follow any rules or guidelines provided by the festival organizers.

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Vautha Fair

Vautha Fair to Gujarat is what Pushkar Mela is to Rajasthan; the only distinction is the Vautha Fair trade of donkey takes place. Stretching for five days, this event witnesses an immense footfall of farmers, devotees, traders, artisans and tourists from all over the country. Legends say that Kartikeya son of Lord Shiva, performed a ritual here on the bank of river on Karthik Poornima. Vautha Fair is the time when devotees from all over India visit Gujarat to take a holy dip in the waters of the sangam or confluence of rivers.

Vautha Fair is a magnificent fair that is held every year at Vautha village. This village is situated at the meeting point of two rivers known as Vatrak and Sabarmati. Dholka region is situated at a distance of 26 kms far and is believed as the Virata Nagar of the Mahabharata. This region also celebrates Vautha fair with great glory. More than fifty thousand visitors came to Vautha village during the fair. This fair is celebrated for five days and many Jath Vanjara communities also attend and enjoy it. During the fair. This fair is celebrated for five days and many people put stalls of various commodities ranging from food to handicrafts. Many active street hawkers and merchants sell numerous things. Also one can see that at fair time the trading of animals such as camels and donkeys are done. In some parts of Allahabad many communities consider this fair more important than Diwali.

History

Legends hold that on a full moon night Kartikeya, the son of Shiva, visited this site on Kartika Purnima during his journey round the earth, and performed austerities as the meeting point of the rivers. His paglas are still worshipped here. Dhokla is also believed to be ‘Virata Nagar’ of the Mahabharata where the Pandavas spent the last year of their exile in disguise.

Traditions

Vautha fair is the largest rural fair celebrated in Gujarat. This fair holds both economical and mythological importance. Near the concourse of seven rivers this fair is celebrated and it is believed that people should take bath in the holy river in order to get them removed from sins. In month of November and during Kartik time this fair is organized. On full moon night the fair starts and lasts for five days. Religiously the Vautha village is very significant as because where the fair is held, that place is considered as the homeland of seven sages. On the grounds of Sangam tirtha this fair is held. Many communities consider it as the most significant and auspicious day. Wide ranges of people are seen visiting this village through trucks, camels, jeeps and tractors. Not only on this day they take Holy bath but they even worship their deities. This Vautha fair has historical background and is believed that on full moon day, Lord Shiva’s son Kartikeya visited this place when he was on trip to cover the entire earth. Therefore he stopped at this place where the culminations of seven rivers are. He even performed some austerities and since from that day onwards people started believing that taking holy bath in confluence of these seven rivers one can get relieved from sins.

Tourist Essential

Majority of people from nearby districts of Gujarat and even villages make plan to attend the fair. In favour of tourists essential this village provides number of tents so that the visitors can easily accommodate. Many pastoral groups and even Jath Vanjara folks participate in the fair in order to take Holy bath and worship the deities too.

Things to Do

Vautha Fair is organised in village of Vautha on Kartik Purnima day. Arrival and thousands of pilgrims visit this village in order to take bath in Holy River so that their sins can be absolved. Not only Sangam tirtha can be done but one can also enjoy at the grand spectacle of the Vautha Fair. There are several things that fair the trading of animals are done. Numbers of merchants are seen selling a fair number of goods and products from machinery to trinkets. The devout pilgrims can set up various lamps in evening that produces the shimmering dance of beauty and faith.

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Bhadrapada Ambaji Mela

Bhadrapada Ambaji Mela is a multicultural fair where not only Hindus but people from all religions take active participation. The fair is organised at one of the most ancient and revered temples in India ie: temple of goddess Ambaji, situated in the Ambaji village in Gujarat. The fair hold extreme significance specially among farmers as the month of the Bhadrapadaa, indicates the end of long monsoon harvest period and they come to pray for good and prosper yields ahead.

Ambaji Temple (an ancient temple in Gujarat) comes to life during Bhadrapad Ambaji Fair. The Bhadrapad Ambaji Fair is held at a village, outside the Ambaji temple. The festival calls on sanghas (pilgrim groups) in huge number. Sanghas perform a traditional folk dance, popular drama and garbas on the full moon night and sing songs by using simple instruments like pakhwaj, hun gal and jhanjh. The festival takes place in the months of August or September and it’s the best time to visit the Ambaji temple as the landscapes around are lush green and the tiny water streams around are brimming with a sparkling water. During the festival, pilgrims walk barefoot to the temple, sing songs of praise and some of them even attend readings of the Saptashati: 700 verses in praise of the Goddess Ambaji. Multiple recreational activities like game stalls, tattoo centres are installed in the Bhadrapad Ambaji Fair. During the festival, the tourists should savour scrumptious local food and enjoy various cultural programmes.

Ambaji Temple, important religious landmarks, is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths (place of worship consecrated to the goddess Shakti or Sati). The temple is said to be the original Shakti Pithas (religious texts). It’s also said that heart of Goddess Ambaji fell on this part of the earth (where the temple is located) when her body was dismembered. There is no idol of goddess inside the temple because the temple is so ancient that it predates idol-worship. Priest of the temple is decorated the upper portion of the gokh (teasel) in such a way that it looks like an idol of a goddess from a distance.

When: Hindu month of Bhadrapad (around August-September)

Where: Ambaji, Dist : Banaskantha

Duration: One day

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Chitra Vichitra Mela

Chitra Vichitra Mela is a tribal fair which is held on the new moon eve. During the celebrations of this festival, local woman gather by the river and spend the whole night mourning for their dead relatives. People where traditional attires on this day along with saffron coloured turban. Folk songs are sung in groups, throughout the celebrations.

Celebrated in the month of March (fortnight after Holi), Chitra Vichitra is the largest Tribal festival in Gujarat. Name of the festival is derived from the epic novel Mahabharata. Chitravirya and Vichitravirya were believed to be the sons of King Shantanu (In epic Mahabharata, Shantanu was the king of Hastinapur), step brothers of Bhishma (In the epic Mahabharata, Bhishma was the eighth son of Kuru King Shantanu). Locals say that Chitravirya and Vichitravirya were once the residents of the town and used to cure people diseases by making them drink the water of this site. Tourists who want to see the social and customs of the Adivasis (tribal people) then they should go to Chitra Vichitra festival.

The festival commences on a full moon night, all the women gather at the river front and mourn for their dead relative. Next day fair splashes off with everyone dressed in colourful colours. All the men don blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron fenta or turban while the women are decked up in ghagras along with heavy silver jewellery. Here one can see more than hundreds stall, each selling sweets, handicrafts and various food items. People visit here in big groups; people dance and celebrate for the entire day. Locals say that festival serves as a platform for people who are looking for prospective groom or bride. Numerous couples have been known to elope directly from the fair site. Every year the festival witnesses a huge footfall.

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Janmashtami

Another one of most-awaited festivals celebrated in Gujarat, Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated with unmatchable zeal and devotion in Dwarka, Gujarat. People celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight, placing an idol in the cradle and worshipping him. A thread tied with the cradle is gently pulled to make it swing.

Lord Krishna is offered his favorite makkhan (butter) and mishri (rock sugar). Dahi handi breaking is also an exciting activity that takes place as a part of the celebration.

Janmashtami is a Hindu festival and a Gazetted holiday in many regions of India.

It may be known as Gokulashtami or Sreekrishna Jayanthi in some regions. According to the Hindu calendar, Janmashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shravana or Bhadra (in the Hindu calendar, there is a leap month once every three years).

In India, is a Gazetted holiday in Bihar, Chandigarah, Chattisgarah, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Miizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

In Tamil Nadu, this holiday is known as Sri Krishna Jayanti.

History and Background of Janmashtami

This is one of the most important Hindu festivals, Janmashtami (Krishna Jayanti) is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu who gave the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita – the guiding principles for every Hindu.

Across India, there will be ceremonies and prayers at temples dedicated to Krishna. The day before may consist of fasting and prayer up to midnight, the time at which it was said that Krishna was born.

Krishna was born in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. In this region, a common tradition is the performance of Krishna Lila, a folk drama consisting of scenes from Krishna’s life.

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Fairs & Festivals

Navratri

Kite Festival

Tarnetar

Runn Utsav

Saputara Monsoon Festival

Dangs Festivals

Bhavnath Fair

Shamlaji Fair

Modhera Dance Festival

Vautha Fair

Bhadrapada Ambaji Mela

Chitra Vichitra Mela

Janmashtami

History and Background of Janmashtami

Garvi Gujarat

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