17 Famous Festivals of Gujarat - List of Fair & Festivals in Gujarat 2020

GUJARAT FESTIVALS

The word reminds me of a vibrant festive mode, traditional Garba dance and mouth-watering tasty food. Gujarat has many things to offer for every kind of travellers- national tourists or international tourists. Gujarat has got a wide diversity of destinations and vibrant culture that makes it one of the most visited places in India.

The state is well developed with fair health infrastructure, the varied landscape, great communication facilities, reliable connectivity even to the remotest area. The varied landscapes itself is a wholesome package. World-famous White Desert of Kutch along the most beautiful coastline, Numerous ancient monuments dating back to the oldest civilisation such as Harappan times, ancients caves, monuments, stupas, monasteries and temples, the best of all - hospitable nature of the people, all of these factors make Gujarat the best holiday destination in India. 

The state has a rich heritage culture of handicraft skills that has struggled through industrialization. Gujarat is famous for its embroidery works, tie and dye, block-printing, beadworks, metal works and many other tribal handicrafts. When it comes to festival celebration Gujarat stands #1 position. Myriad of people gather to celebrate the Gujarat Festivals and Fairs. Visitors who come to Gujarat get bonded with its charm because life itself is a celebration here. Gujarat is the land of heritage, wildlife, fun and food. 

THE FAMOUS GUJARAT FESTIVALS AND FAIRS ARE LISTED BELOW:

1)  UTTARAYAN - THE INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL : You get to witness the sky filled with vivid kites during this festival. It is celebrated on the occasion of the beginning of the Harvest season. From big streets to narrow gullies you can see the kites roar above every street. Not just the Gujaratis, people around the world gather to celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm.

2) UTTARARDH MAHOTSAV - MODHERA DANCE FESTIVAL : This festival is held for three days where you get to experience the real essence of Classical Indian Dance and Music. With the elegant backdrop of Sun Temple in Modhera takes you back to the times of the Solanki empire. This festival is organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. This festival is celebrated at The Modhera Sun temple, it is an abstract of glorious architecture where Classical dance and music performances by professionals around the nation happens and a glimpse into the history of the region and an enchanting background with colourful lights adds up to the charm.

3) BHAVNATH MAHADEV FAIR AT JUAGADH : Bhavnath Mahadev Fair is a five-day-long event dedicated to Lord Shiva, and it is believed that Lord Shiva visits Junagadh during this time. Witness the real spiritual side of India where the sages ride on elephants blow shells and lead processions, marking the commencement of this fair. There are a lot of things to do at Bhavnath Mahadev Fair such as Dance, music, prayers and offerings. People before coming to the shrine do parikrama around the Girnar Hill. This festival is celebrated during Shivaratri.

4) RANN UTSAV : One of the main festivals celebrated in Gujarat. Experience the rhythmic strums of ravanahatha, gaze the beauty of sparkling white sand and spectator the Gujarati men with legendary moustaches and pagris – This festival is celebrated during the autumn is at its peak at The Rann of Kutch. Enjoy the cultural performances, get the best of Gujarati handicraft & handloom, rent and stay in the tent city, go on a local sightseeing tour, a safari in Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary and bird watching are the things that shouldn't be missed when you are in Kutch.

5) KAVANT FAIR - AT TRIBAL REGIONS : This festival is celebrated on account of harvest season in the Tribal regions of Gujarat. During this fair, you get to witness the traditional art forms of Gujarat which includes traditional music and dance performances. The major highlight of this celebration is that artists or performers colour their bodies in various vibrant shades and designs. The colours are composed of rice and ash. 

6) CHITRA VICHITRA MELA - SABARKANTHA DISTRICT : This is the Tribal Festival where local women gather by the river and spend the whole night mourning for their dead relatives and ancestors. This event is observed during the new moon eve, people wear traditional attires on this day along with saffron-coloured turban. During this festival - Folk songs are sung in groups, throughout the celebrations.

7) MADHAVRAI FAIR - MADHAVPUR VILLAGE : Madhavpur is a small village found on the shore of Porbandar, which is an important place in Gujarat. The Madhavrai Fair is celebrated on the note of wedding of Lord Krishna and Devi Rukmini. This event is celebrated one the month of Chaitra Maasa of Hindu Calendar, which falls under March or April. 

8) RATH YATRA - JAGANNATH TEMPLE, AHMEDABAD : It is one of the most awaited Gujarat Festivals, it takes place at four major places of India, one of which is Jagannath in Ahmedabad -Gujarat. It is the procession that starts before the Pahind Vidhi - the process of cleaning the route for chariot, which is performed by the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The major highlight of this yatra is that the procession is led by an ornate chariot and cultural procession make way through different corners of the city.

9) KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI - DWARKA : In this festival, people celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. The celebrations begin from midnight itself. People celebrate this festival with enthusiasm and devotion. Devotees place an idol of Lord Krishna in the cradle and worship him. The favourite dishes of Lord Krishna are prepared as offerings and prasadam with devotion. Devotees offer butter and sugar. The main highlight of this celebration is Dahi handi breaking activity, it is an exciting activity that takes place as a part of the celebration. You can observe devotees offering prayers and chanting Bhajan and distributing sweets.

10) BHADRA PURNIMA FAIR - AMBAJI TEMPLE, BANASKANTHA : It is one of the biggest and grand festivals of Gujarat. Bhadra Purnima Fair is held for three days and is dedicated to Goddess Ambaji at  Ambaji Temple. There is no idol in this temple, hence the representation of the deity is done through a triangular object called Vishwa Yantra.

Devotees assemble collectively to worship the goddess and read Saptshati - seven hundred prayer verses together. In the evening, it is a gala time where people perform Garba and Bhavai folk dances of Gujarat.

11) TARNETAR FAIR - TARNETAR VILLAGE : Tarnetar Fair is held for three days long. This festival is hosted in the Village of Tarnetar. It is inspired by the grand Swayamvar of Draupadi, one of the most significant female characters from Sanskrit legend, Mahabharata. The fair is a massive wedding feast and all the locals and around 1lakh people gather from across India. 

12) RAVECHI FAIR - KUTCH : This fair is held in the month of September at White Desert of Kutch in the state of Gujarat. This festival showcases the tradition and culture of Gujarat. A large number of Hindu pilgrims gather during this fair and celebrate this fair by performing folk songs and folk dances.

Gujarat Festivals like this promote and carry the culture and tradition of Gujarat for all the generations and keep it alive.

13) NAVRATRI - GUJARAT : This is the famous Gujarat Festival and the most popular one. No one can miss Dandiya and Garba during the Navratri at Gujarat. This festival is celebrated for 10 straight days. People worship different forms of Goddess Shakthi these days. You can take part in Garba wearing the traditional Gujarati costumes. Relish the variety of food during this festival. It is mostly celebrated during the month of October every year.

14) SHANLAJI MELO - SHAMLAJI TEMPLE : Kartik Purnima Fair commonly known as Shamlaji Melo is held for three weeks and is organized in the month of November. During this fair, you can witness large groups of devotees arriving on foot or camel carts, sing folk songs for the deity and take a holy dip in Meshwo River alongside the temple. The fair is popular for trading silverware, cloth and ornaments.

15) VAUTHA MELA - VAUTHA, GUJARAT : This is a popular Mela/ Fair held for five-day and falls on the full moon night of the Kartik month of Hindu calendar mostly in November. Vautha Mela is an animal trade festival of Gujarat. It sounds weird, yet this is the only place you get to behold many camels and donkeys adorned with ornaments and paints. This is a major event and it happens at the location where the seven holy rivers meet. Many Gujarati families stay in the tent houses near the fair venue for a few days during this fair. 

Here they prepare a different sweet dish which is made among which Khichu is the popular one. Floating diyas are lit in the evening on the river which gives a mesmerizing view to behold.

16) BEACH FESTIVAL - TITHAL BEACH, GUJARAT : This modern culture of Beach festival is organised at Tithal Beach. It is the best event to cherish for localities as well as tourists. Whole beach is illuminated with sparkling lights along with it. There will be several cultural events and shows. Night will be filled with dancing and musical fests. 

17) PARAGLIDING FESTIVAL - SAPUTARA : If you are a person who loves adventures, this festival is for you. This festival is organized by the partnership of The Tourism Department of Gujarat along with private partners, who have put a lot of effort into present this unique festival which celebrates adventure. This festival started back in the year 2010. It is a festival that is held for 26 long days during the month of December and January. Kids and adults both can take part in this thrilling activity. Other amusements like parasailing, bike riding, zorbing ball, Go-karting, jumping Mickey Mouse, and motor roller are also available for an affordable rate. 

FEW COMMON QUESTIONS ON GUJARAT FESTIVAL -

* What is the important festival of Gujarat?

Navarati, Rann of Kutch, Shamalji Melo and Vautha Mela are considered as the famous festivals of Gujarat.

* Which is the national festival of Gujarat?

Gujarat celebrates festivals and fair throughout the year, around 3500 fairs are celebrated and all the festivals with enthusiasm.

* What is Gujarat famous for?

As already quoted in the blog above Gujarat is famous for its tradition and culture. Gujarat is the land of heritage, wildlife, fun and food.

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