Kite Festival |
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Uttarayan or Maker Sankaranti which falls on January 14 each year, this colorful festival fills the sky over Gujarat with thousands of beautifully crafted kites. This is one of Gujarat's most participatory festivals when countless people throng terraces to fly kites. The kite flown during Uttarayan so internationally called the 'Indian fighter' and it is usually made out of bamboo and tissue paper. The fiter kite is perfectly proportioned to balance on a single thread even in windy conditions and to be easily manoeuvred by the flier when fighting other kites to cut them out of their air. This competitive spirit makes Uttarayan an exciting festival. As the rooftops fill with people, and colorful kites reach out for the skies, the fights begin with shouting and rejoicing when a kite is cut out of the sky. It is a unique festival in which anyone is welcome to take part. Since 1989, this regional high light has been turned into an International Kite Festival that attracts kite enthusiasts from all over the world. Ahmedabad has a famous kite museum where kites from 24 countries are displayed. |
| Travel information: |
Season :14th & 15th January
Kite Festival is celebrated all over Gujarat. |
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The Modhera Dance Festival (Uttarardh) |
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The Modhera Dance Festival is held annually at the sun temple of Modhera in January. The 11th century sun temple at Modhera is the impressive setting for the 3-day annual festival of Indian classical dance. A fine example of architecture, is the backdrop for a range of classical dances. The temple is beautifully illumined at night, with quality sound systems and excellent lighting providing the setting for the visitors to enjoy the dances. Some of the best troupes in the country participate in this attractive event. The lighting highlights the ample itself so it intricate sculpture and architectural detail can be seen at its very best during the festival. |
| Travel information: |
| Season : January |
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Air : Nearest airport is Ahmedabad (110kms) |
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Rail : Nearest Mehsana Railway Station is (30kms) |
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Road : Ahmedabad (110kms) |
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Bhavnath Fair |
The Bhavanath fair is held at the Bhavnath Temple near Damodar Kund on the outskirts of Junagadh during Shivratri in February-March. The fair is attended by local people and a large congregation of 'naga bawas' or naked sages. Before the fair, pilgrims circumvent the holy hills of Girnar following a trekking route called the 'parikrama' Bhavai theatre and folk's dances are performed at the site, and religious offerings are given at the temples. Stories link the Damoda Kund to the life of Lord Shiva. According to a legend this was the place where the garments of Shiva and Parvati fell when they were traveling over the Girnar Hills making this an auspicious site for Shiva worshippers. A maha puja (great ritual prayer) take place at the temple, during which the naga bawas can be seen blowing conch shells, often coming on colorfully decorated elephants.
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| Travel information: |
| Season : February- March |
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Air : Nearest airport is Jungadh (15kms) |
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Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Jungadh (20kms) |
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Road : Ahmedabad (325kms) |
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Dangs Durbar |
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Saputara in Dangs district is about 173 km from Surat, which has an airport, and 129 km from Valsad. Dang Durbar, held in March-April honors a traditions that began in British times when the rulers and other leaders of villages got together for gatherings called durbars or audiences. The tradition continues today in Dangs, a tribal dominated district, as many of the former whose titles and privy purses were abolished. This is the time for great festivity at Ahwa, the district headquarters, and at the hill resort of Saputara. For visitors, it is rare opportunity to see tribal communities like Bhils, Kunbis, Warlis and Gamits in their traditional dances of the region are spectacular to watch as the people move in concentric circles to the best of percussion and wind instruments. |
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| Travel information: |
| Season : March – April |
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Air : Nearest airport is Surat (173kms) |
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Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Vapi (kms) |
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Road : Ahmedabad (400kms) |
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Kawanth Fair |
Kvant is near Chhota Udepur, a town about 100 km from Vadodara which has an airport and a well-connected railway station. The Kawanth fair offers an interesting insight into the tribes of this region, their attires , ornaments, music and dancing and unrivalled opportunity to experience the culture of tribal groups like the Rathwa who attend in large numbers from villages of Gujarat and neighboring Madhya Pradesh.
At the fair site, the atmosphere is festive. Women dressed in colour full clothes and bedecked in attractive jewellery, Man with painted bodies' peacock feathers adorning their turbans, and masks can be seen dancing, playing musical instruments and forming human pyramids. The dances are vibrant and enlivened by music, with gourds hung on the belts of the dancers rattling to the rhythm of the dance. A variety of tribal rituals can be witnessed during the fair. There are heritage properties at Chhota Udepur and at
Jambugodha.
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| Travel information: |
| Season : March |
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Air : Nearest airport is Baroda (60kms) |
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Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Baroda (60kms) |
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Road : Ahmedabad (165kms) |
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Chitra Vichitra Fair-Gunbhakhari |
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Chitra Vichitra is located near Poshina, a village about 180 km from Ahmedabad Airport and 50km from Abu Road Railway Station. Chitra Vichthira fair, 15 days after Holi, on the moonless night called Amavas, during which Garasias and Bhils gather in numbers beyond comprehension at the 'triveni Sangam'(confluence) of three rivers, for ancestor mourning, music, dancing, revelry and match making. Eloping in not uncommon during the Chitra Vichitra fair. The site for this fair is linked to the Mahabharata as the site where Chitraveer and Vichitraveer repented for sins at the Shiva temple around which the fair is centered. There is a heritage property at Poshina. |
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| Travel information: |
| Season : March – April |
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Air : Nearest airport is Ahmedabad (180kms) |
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Rail : Nearest Railway Station is Abu Road (50kms) |
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Road : Ahmedabad (180kms) |
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