Tarnetar Fair

The Tarnetar Fair is one of the most important fairs of Gujarat. Various tribes like the Kolis, the Rabaris, the Bharwards, the Khants, the Khanbis, the Charans and the Kathis, get together to celebrate the famous legendary marriage of Draupadi with Arjuna, thereby retracing its origin to the times of the Mahabharata. Arjuna was the third of the five Pandavas of Hastinapur, who got married to Draupadi - the princess of this region, in the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. This fair is held every year on the 4th, 5th and 6th day of the Shukla Paksha (Aug-Sept) in Tarnetar (a village near the industrial town of Thangadli) in Surendranagar district in the region of Saurashtra.

Also known as the Trinetreshwer Mahadev Fair, this three-day festival is held at the 14th century Temple of Shiva (Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer), or Trinetreshwer (Three-Eyed God) who is also popularly known as Tarnetar. Built in a traditional style on the banks of a rivulet, this impressive marble temple has a kund (reservoir) in which the temple is reflected.

Vautha Fair

This magnificent fair is held every year at Vautha, where two rivers, the Sabarmati and the Vatrak meet. Like most fair sites in India, this also has both mythological and current religious associations.

The Vautha Mela site is 3 square miles in area. Legends hold that Kartik Swami or Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, visited the site. This is why the fair is held during Kartika Purnima, the full moon night of the month of Kartik, corresponding to November. The site, also known as Saptasangam, is at the confluence of seven rivers. The most important Shiva temple here is the temple of Siddhanath.

Dangs Darbar

Dangs Darbar is the name of the annual fair held every year in Ahwa, the most important town in the Dangs a few days before Holi. The Dangs is one of the most delightful districts of Gujarat and is located high in the Saputara hills, the original home of the adivasis, the tribal population of Gujarat.

The name 'Darbar' dates back to the time of the British, when a darbar of Rajas and Naiks of neighbouring area used to assemble there. Today it is called Jamabandi Darbar and the District Collector officiates at it.

Shamlaji Melo

The Shamlaji Melo, also called the Kartik Purnima fair is held in the month of November every year and lasts for about two weeks. It is attended by almost two hundred thousand people from adjoining districts and even from Rajasthan.

Devotees belonging to various castes and communities including the Garasias and Bhils throng this festival. These pilgrims come in groups, singing devotional songs and carry religious banners to have a darshan (worship)of the deity at the Shamlaji Temple.

Kite Festival

In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is kite-flying day. Traditionally celebrated on January 13 or 14, it is a holiday when every family can be meet outdoors 'cutting' each other's kites. This immensely popular kite flying festival is held in all the important cities of Gujarat. The festival lures expert kite-makers and fliers not only from major cities of India but also from around the world. A plethora of designer kites are also put on display.

The International Kite Festival is always held at Ahmedabad on January 14, to coincide with the festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. The people of Gujarat celebrate Uttarayan with a lot of enthusiasm and all business comes to a grinding halt for a couple of days. It is also a celebration to mark the end of winter.

Navratri

An inseparable part of the identity of Gujarat, Navratri is an auspicious occasion that commemorates the worship of Divine Mother Goddess and her numerous manifestations. It is the time of the year when one fasts all day and dances non-stop the night through; an opportunity to savour the state in her finest best.

The mood, the attire and the music are so upbeat and vibrant that every year, the festival attracts tourists from India and abroad. This year, the Government of Gujarat has arranged a grand Navratri extravaganza. The visiting tourists would have the first-hand experience of staying with a host family. The guests would get to enjoy the state's vast repertoire of heritage, the Asiatic lions and the numerous temples and beaches that dot the 1600-km coastline. With architectural models through slide shows and ancient food festival, the Government will take the visitors to the era where Indus Valley Civilization was at its zenith.