Gujarat is one of the most culturally rich states of India whose beauty and richness can be captured through its local fairs and festivals which are celebrated across the length and breadth of this state. You can witness the beauty of this state through its many festivals which showcase the ages-old traditions of Gujarat all year round. The best part of these festivals is that almost all festivals of Gujarat are unique and have their importance and speciality and some of them even enjoy global fame such as dahi handi breaking ceremony and garba dance performance.
Moustached men holding dhol and Ghaghara-clad women dancing in the brat of its, these dance performance during festival season is among the top ceremonies and rituals of Gujarat which attract thousand of people worldwide. It is even said that the festival of Gujarat is incomplete without the above-mentioned traditional and signature-style rituals. Here we have listed the top fairs and festivals of Gujarat which you witness if you are in Gujarat.
Popular Fairs and Festivals In Gujarat
If you are planning your next trip to Gujarat, make sure to plan it smartly so that you can attend these Gujarati Festivals. Because we believe that the way Gujarati celebrate their festivals, will not only amaze you but also peep and panting you at the same time.
1 . International Kite Festival (Uttarayan)
Colourful kites flying high in the sky with customized quotes is something which has its charm which you can witness in the International Kite festival celebrated in Gujarat. You can see the enthusiasm of kite festivals in almost every part of Gujarat from narrow streets to the sky.
International kite festival is one of the main festivals of Gujarat which marks the beginning of harvest season in the state and it is celebrated with great zeal and devotion across the state. People started hoarding their houses with kites and charkharis days before the festivals. This festival is not just popular among Gujarati but people who are residing in the USA and Canada fly their home to share the fun of this festival in Gujarat.
Location: The main festival is celebrated in Ahmedabad but as you almost every district of Gujarat celebrates this occasion as this is the harvesting festival of Gujarat
Event: You can see a flying kite competition between local people and also the international participants who took part in it. You can see kites of different shapes and sizes such as sports kites, hand-painted kites and many more. You can also taste delicious Gujarati cuisine.
Time: This event took place on the 14th of January every year. This day is also celebrated as Makar Sankranti in the whole of North India.
Also Read- 25 Famous Festivals in India in March
2. Dang Darbar
Dang Darbar is an important tribal festival which is celebrated a few days before Holi in Gujrat. This festival is celebrated in the honour of their forefathers namely Gadhavi, Pimpri, Amala-Linga, Vasurana and Daher who were also the kings of this tribe. The interesting fact is that on this festival, all the five kings received a pension from the state government. This festival is believed to be more than 150 years old. Although after Indian independence, this festival continued to be celebrated during 1954 the privileges of the kings were cancelled by the government and only the hereditary pension were granted to them. If you are here during the festival you can find stalls which are showcasing handicrafts items which were made by tribal people. Also, you will get a chance to see various dance forms of tribal people.
Time: This festival is organised during March (before Holi)
Location: Ahwa Village ( Dang District)
Also Read - 30 Major Fairs and Festivals in India in January 2023
3. Bhavnath Mahadev Fair
Five-day long affairs held in Junagad district of Gujarat, Bhavanath Mahadev fair is dedicated to lord Shiva and it is believed that lord Shiva himself visited this temple during this day. The commencement of this fair is started by the sages who were riding on elephants and they blow shells and lead the procession. You can witness the dance, music, prayers and offerings which are performed during this 5 days long festival. People while visiting the temple, do a parikrama around Girnar Hill and then they visit the shrine
Location: Bhavnath Temple Junagadh
Event: Prayers Music, dance, martial arts, procession, martial arts and many more.
Time: In February or March (during Mahashivratri)
Also Read- 25 Major Festivals and Events in India in February 2023
4. Kavant Fair
Mainly celebrated in the tribal area, kavant fair is the harvest festival of Gujarat. You can witness the traditional art forms such as music and dance of Gujarat during this festival. One of the main features of this festival is that performer colour their bodies in different designs and shades and the colours are made out of rice and ash.
Location: Triabl area of Gujarat
Event: Human Pyramid game
Time: After the Holi eve.
5. Modhera Dance Festival
A classical dance performance held at Modhera is another splendid event held in Gujarat. Also known by the name of Uttararadh Mahostava, this 3 days long festival is a good excuse to experience old and unique dance forms of India. Modhera is also known for the Sun temple and this dance performance in the backdrop of the Sun temple will surely take you into the time of Solanki Dynasty when this temple was built.
This dance festival is organised by the Gujar at Tourism Corporation in January. The sun temple is believed to be the epitome of temple architecture and the performance in the backdrop of it increases the beauty of this by manifold.
Location: Sun Temple Modhera
Event: Dance and music performance by teams of professionals through which you can get a peep into the history of ancient Indian arts and culture.
Time: in the third week of January every year.
Also Read- 15 Famous Festivals In India In August
6. Rann Utsav
A cultural fest held on the eve of a full moon night is another significant event which occurs in Gujarat. Rann Utsav is one of the main Festivals of Gujarat where Gujarati men with moustaches and pagri hold Ravanahatha in their hands and all gather in the sparkling white sand of Kutch. This festival is celebrated during the period when autumn is at its peak.
Rann Utsav is the much-awaited festival of the year when people of this region, regardless of where they live come here to experience this festival.
Location: Runn of Kutch
Events: Cultural performance, stall of best Gujarati handloom and handicrafts item, bird watching and safari in Kutch wildlife sanctuary.
Time: between November and December
7. Beach Festival
The beach festival is one of the main festivals of Gujarat which is organised on the famous Tithal Beach of Gujarat. During this period, the whole of the beach is decorated with colourful flowers and light. Several shows are organised here during this festival. If you are here, you can explore music events, magic shows dance performances and many more.
Apart from that you can indulge yourself in several other activities such as volleyball, beach cricket and many more.
Location: Mandvi beach and Tithal beach
Event: Dance and music performance along with sports.
Time: Celebrated generally in October to November
8. Madhavrai Festival
Madhavrai fair took place in the small village of Madhavpur which is located on the shore of Porbandar district of Gujarat. Madhavrai is a local festival which is conducted here to celebrate the wedding of Lord Krishna and Devi Rukmini. According to Hundi Calendar, this festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra Mass which generally falls in March or April according to the modern calendar. This festival is the most celebrated in Gujarat due to its significance among the locals.
Location: Madhavpur Village
Event: A cultural fair
Time: March /April every year
9. Chitra Vichitra Mela
A tribal fair held on the eve of the new moon, Chitra Vichitra Mela is another event that occurs in Gujarat and attracts thousands of tourists every year. During this festival time, all the women of the village gather by their river and they mourn the whole night for their dead ancestors. They spend their whole night near the river where people wear traditional attire along with a saffron coloured turban. You can also hear the folk song of Gujarat which was sung by women in the group.
Location: Sabarkantha District of Gujarat
Event: Fair
Time: Eve of the new moon
10. Janmashtami
Another awaited festival of Gujarat is Janamshtami which is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. This most awaited festival of Gujarat has unmatchable devotion and zeal. During the midnight of Janmashtami, people celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna by placing the idol of Krishna in the cradle and worshipping him. A thread is tied with the cradle and it is gently pulled to make it a swing. People offered makhhan and mishri to lord Krishna. Breaking of Dahi Handi is also an activity that took place during the celebration of Janmashtami.
Location: Dwarka (also at many other locations of Gujarat)
Events: Music and Dance performance, Dahi Handi breaking, and prayers.
Time: Generally during August or September.
11. Rath Yatra
One of the most awaited festivals not only in Gujarat but also in India is Rath Yatra which took place at major in four locations including the Jagannath in Ahmedabad. Rath Yatra is a sacred annual celebration which occurs in India and the main highlight of the festival is the procession that is led by the ornate chariot.
This procession begins by cleaning the route of the chariot (pahund vidhi) which is often done by the chief minister of Gujarat. Then the chariot and procession make their way to every corner of the city.
Location: Jagannath Temple, Ahmedabad
Event: A parade and prayer took place with a huge gathering of people.
Time: This festival generally occurs during June and July.
12. Bhadra Purnima Fair
Bhadra Purnima Fair is one of the biggest festivals of Gujarat which is held for 3 days. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Ambaji in Ambaji Temple. In Ambaji Temple, there is no idol of the deity in the temple, thus a triangular object called Vishwa Yantra is placed in the temple which represents Goddess Ambaji. During the period when faur was organised here, people gathered on the temple premise to worship Ambaji and read Saptshati together. During the evening, people gather at the temple premises and perform garba and bhavai which is a folk dance.
Location: Ambaji Temple, Banaskantha
Event: Dance performance, Prayers and music events.
Time: It is celebrated on the full moon day of August or September.
13. Tarnetar Fair
A 3-day long fair held in the village of Tarnetar is another famous festival of Gujarat. Tarentar festival is inspired by the grand Swayambar of Draupadi who is a prominent female character in Mahabharata (a Sanskrit epic). This festival is organised like a massive wedding feast where more than 1 lakh people from almost every part of India attend this fair.
Location: Tarnetar Village
Event: A fair where more than 300 stalls are set up.
Time: Generally during the end of August to early September.
14. Ravechi Fair
Ravechi fair is an annual mela which is held in the desert of Runn Of Kutch. During this fair, q large number of Hindu pilgrims gathered in the area. You can witness that people singing folk songs and traditional dances are performed by them. You can also get a chance to peep into the local. lifestyle of Gujarat, and also you can see the various workshops here.
Location: Kutch
Events: Folk music and dance performance
Time: This fair generally organised in September
15. Navratri
Navratri is one of the most celebrated festivals of not only Gujarat but of the whole of north India. You can submerge yourself in the dandiya and garba night while you are in Gujarat during Navratri. This festival is one of the most vibrant festivals which continues for 10 days and it is attended by lakhs of people every year. During this period of 10 days, people generally perform a Durga pooja and enjoy the music and Garba.
Location: Navratri is the traditional festival of Gujarat hence you can see the celebration of it at every corner of the state.
Event: You can experience the dance and music of Gujarat during Navratri. You can dress yourself in a Gujarati costume.
Time: Navratri falls in October every year.
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16. Shamlaji Melo
Kartik Purnima also known as Shamlaji Melo is another prominent fair of Gujarat which takes place on the premise of Shamlaji temple and it lasts up to three weeks. During this time, a large number of devotees came to this temple, some by foot and others by travelling through camel or cart, singing their deity song. Then they bathe in the Meshwo river which flows through just beside the temple. The fair is a fun place, and also a place for trading silverware, clothes and ornaments. This temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu.
Location: Shamlaji temple
Events: A local fair, a gathering of devotees.
Time: this fair is generally organised during November when Kartik Purnima begins.
17. Vautha Mela
An exciting animal. trade fair held in Gujarat known as Vautha Mela is another famous fair held in Gujarat. Although it sounds weird it is true, you can find camels and doney are painted and decked up with ornaments. Vautha Mela is not just a normal fair, local people even consider this as more pious than Diwali, because of the location where this fair is organised. Vautha mela is held at the place where seven holy rivers converge.
Many local families left their houses for a few days and started living in a tent near the Vautha fair venue. Although it is a particularly famous dish, a different dish is prepared. The river is at its extreme beauty when it is lit by day in the evening. You can enjoy shopping at the local stall while. you are where in the fair.
Location: Vautha Gujarat
Event: Decorated animals, a local stall selling handicrafts items and also machinery products. You can taste delicious cuisine and also enjoy the performance on the bank of the river.
Time: This fair is generally organised in November. (on the full moon night of Kartik Purnima according to the Hindu calendar)
18. Paragliding Festival
Gujarat is not famous for only cultural festivals and fairs, it also offers adventure to its guests who are looking for an adrenaline rush. The paragliding festival lasts for 26 days between December and January and it is hosted by a Private organisation along with the Gujarat Tourism Department. Gujarat Tourism has picked this idea to promote tourism in the Satpura range and bring this area into the limelight as a paragliding destination for tourists. Apart from paragliding you can also take part in zorbing, parasailing, and bike riding. If you are naive still you too can take part in this adventurous far as there is a training session held for everyone and this is the major reason why it attracts lakhs of people. from across the country.
Location: Gujarat
Event: Paragliding, parasailing and many more
Time: Between December and January
