Gujarat is a very rich state, from where the big businessmen of India come. The fun of it is spread not only in India but also abroad, and I am proud that today I am going to tell you about my colorful Gujarat festivals. Gujarat is the home state of the best folk hero like Mahatma Gandhi, who gave his life for this great country. Let’s know about all the other beauties of Gujarat later. Now let’s know about the colorful festivals of this colorful state.
1. Navratri
Navratri means 9 Nortas. It is celebrated with great gaiety across India. The matter of Gujarat is also somewhat different. Navratri is eagerly awaited in Gujarat. Usually Navratri falls in the month of September or October. It is a Hindu festival. In this festival, the faith and belief of the people is at the limit of charm. To celebrate this festival with joy and happiness, young girls join classes to learn garba 1 to 1.5 months in advance. Where they are taught different Garba steps. On the night of Navratri, the streets of cities come alive, with most of the public seen outside on the roads.
The Navrats (Nine nights) of Navratri are different forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navadurga. These nine forms are as follows.
1. Skandamata
2. Brahmacharini
3. Chandraghanta
4. Shailputri
5. Mahagauri
6. Siddhidatri
7. Katyayani
8. Kushmanda
9. Kalratri
For the nine days of Navadurga, devotees are busy in worshiping. A few days before Navratri, people start collecting funds. After the fund is collected, the common plots and public spaces of the society are decorated with colorful lights by establishing Navadurga. Devotees fast to Mataji during Navratri. Many devotees even observe nakorda (abstaining from food and water) fasts, and perform religious rituals. People from children to youth and old age wear traditional new clothes like Kediyu (Navratri wear for boys), Kurta Pajama and Chaniyacholi (for women) and perform Dandiya Raas, Garba throughout the night with devotional music. This time people are so happy and joyful that it leaves the viewer mesmerized.
Garba of Gujarat also attracts foreigners. Ram Leela is also organized in North India. The tenth day of Navratri is known as Dussehra (Vijayadashami). This day is celebrated to symbolize Lord Ramachandra’s victory over King Ravana (the demon). On the day of Vijayadashami, people gather in large numbers to burn an effigy of King Ravana (the demon) in a public place. Then people express joy by burning the effigy. Which reminds of the victory of religion over unrighteousness. This religious festival is also a cultural festival. Through which the sense of unity and devotion is awakened in people.
2. Uttrayana (Makar Sakranti)
Uttrayana is also called Makaraskranti. It shows the movement of the sun in Capricorn. It is very popular in India, especially in Gujarat. This is a boon festival, and it is celebrated on January 14, which marks the farewell of winter and the beginning of summer. People of all ages enjoy kite flying in Uttarayan. On the day before Uttarayan, kite-flyers are seen in large numbers in the markets to buy kites, manzas (strings), and other things. Shop for assorted and colorful kites, strings, glasses, hats, and duplicate hair wigs. On the day of Uttarayana, early in the morning, people take a bath, put on new clothes, and climb the rooftops, and kite lovers enjoy flying kites to the tune of music with sheer joy.
The whole sky becomes colorful, and people cut each other’s kites and shout lapet-lapet, making the atmosphere joyful. The International Kite Festival is also celebrated here. In which kite lovers from different countries come together and demonstrate kite flying techniques, which increases the glory of Uttarayan in the countries of the world. Kite flying at night has become popular during Uttarayana. Kite enthusiasts fly kites with LED lights and colorfully illuminated kites, which is a sight to behold. During the day, some people are seen running on the road to catch kites. Also, the authorities fall outside the guidelines for the safety of the birds cut from the cord.
The people of Gujarat celebrate this festival for two days. Uttarayana, and the next day is popularly known as Vasi-Uttarayana. The people of Gujarat eat sesame ladoo, sesame and peanut chikki, sugarcane, bor, and various dishes on this festival.
3. Rann Utsav
A desert festival that takes place in the salt desert of Kutch, Gujarat. Dhordo village in Kutch is the main focal point of this festival, which is located next to the India-Pakistan border. This festival has the longest duration. It lasts for almost an entire season. When it comes to Kutch, its traditions, handicrafts, textiles, art, and heritage are remembered together. Kutch’s identity is created in the country and the world by setting up stalls for the display and sale of handicrafts. Handicrafts are an art that fascinates even foreigners. This festival is held during the winter. The organizers leave no stone unturned in providing luxurious facilities for the visitors. It provides visitors with facilities including culture, art, music, and food. The festival celebrates the heritage of Kutch and keeps natural beauty alive. A wide range of cultural events are held here, showcasing the tradition.
Why forget the camel when it comes to Kutch? Camel and ATV rides give visitors a unique experience of the desert, and it remains memorable. The importance of Ran Utsav increases when the light of the full moon illuminates the white desert. This scene mesmerizes the visitors. This scene is truly a treat to watch. The main attractions here are historical monuments, the villages of Kutch, wildlife sanctuaries, and wild donkeys. Business employment booms during this festival.
Shopkeepers here sell handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, and various items that are the hallmark of Kutch, keeping their culture alive. Friends, when it comes to desert festivals, the white desert of Kutch is a unique experience. Apart from the environment, the happy people, the culture, the dress of the people, and their language, the most important thing is that the people of Kutch do not hesitate to entertain visitors.
4. Janmashtami
Janmashtami is also known as “Gokul Aatham”. It is a Hindu festival. And it is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. It comes in the month of August or September. On Janmashtami, Krishna devotees start preparations to celebrate this festival. Who cleans his houses and decorates them by cleaning temples. It makes a great, fun crib. Devotees observe fast on this day, and women go round in a circle singing garba to the tune of music and become absorbed in Krishna devotion. Many places also accommodate large gatherings. In it, entertainment is provided by different societies.
People gather in large numbers for aarti, devotional music, and prayers in temples. It is believed that Lord Krishna was born in the middle of the night. To welcome his birth at 12 o’clock in the night, devotees celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna by chanting slogans like “Hathi Ghoda Palaki, Jai Kanaiya Lal Ki”.
Butter was very dear to Lord Krishna. He used to steal and eat butter in the house as a child. Hence his nickname, “Butter Thief.” So, according to a special tradition about butter, which is very dear to him, the devotees hang a pot full of curd on a string, and the youth make a human pyramid and try to reach it and break it.
The joy of watching this scene is something different. An exhibition of scenes of Lord Krishna is also held as an overview of the Krishna Leela. Devotees feel blessed by offering various kinds of sweets and delicacies,which are very dear to the Lord. This festival is not only a festival but also has a distinct spiritual significance. Virtue, duty,and devotion are his teachings,as stated in the scriptures. It is celebrated with full faith, joy, cheer, and devotion by lakhs of Krishna devotees across India.
5. Modhera Dance Festival
When the name of Modhera (a village in Gujarat) comes up, the curiosity to know about the Modhera Sun Temple there immediately increases. It is one of the amazing cultural heritages located near Mehsana in Gujarat state, India. Now I will provide you with information about the Modhera Dance Festival. It is held in Modhera, a small village in the Mehsana district of Gujarat state. The temple dates back to the eleventh century and is famous for its stone carvings and intricate craftsmanship. The festival is usually held on the auspicious day of January (Makaraskranti), when the sun moves to the north. The classical is the mesmerizing list. dances of India are celebrated on this day, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Gujarat. To preserve this heritage, dance troupes showcase talent through various programs. Famous troupes representing this troupe mesmerize people with their talent. Following is the mesmerizing list.
1. Manipuri
2. Satriya
3. Kathakali
4. Bharatanatyam
5. Kathak, etc.
Beautifully carved pillars, intricately intricate sculptures, and the magnificent architecture of the famous Sun Temple add to the atmosphere of this dance festival with four moons. Foreigners also come from all corners of India to witness this festival. Talented artists enthrall people with their performances of art like classical dance, etc.
Classical dance is a tradition in India. And serves as a collaboration bringing scholars, choreographers, and dancers together to preserve its diversity, richness, and heritage.
6. Bhavnath Mahadev Fair
Bhavnath Mahadev Temple is located at the foothills of the Girnar range near Junagadh in the state of Gujarat. Lord Shiva is present in this temple. The fair is held on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivaratri (the Festival of Shiva) in January or February, according to the Gregorian calendar. This fair is held to commemorate the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed by Shiva devotees that Lord Shiva himself visits this temple, so this time is considered auspicious for his blessings and prayers. People from far and wide take a colorful palanquin procession to the Bhavnath Mahadev temple to the beat of drums and music.
From the beginning of Mahashivratri, Lord Shiva anointed the Shivlinga by performing rituals and prayers to Lord Shiva. During this time, when Shiva devotees gather in large numbers, a different kind of energy is experienced in the atmosphere. The main attraction of this fair is the Naga Sadhus, the ascetics of Lord Shiva. He comes to participate in this fair. His entire body is covered with a bhabhuti (ash) stole and garlanded with Rudraksha. Their presence creates energy in the spiritual atmosphere.
Lord Shiva is also called Bholenath because he is soon pleased. Bhavnath Mela is a cultural festival as well as a religious event. They present folk music, dance, drama, etc., keeping the heritage alive here. Traders set up different stalls on the fairground and sell different types of items. Like religious items, handicrafts, textiles, and food items. Visitors become busy purchasing such items, which makes the festive atmosphere more pleasant. This fair unites people of different sects, so that a sense of unity is created. This fair attracts a large number of devotees from all over Gujarat and neighboring states who come to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva (Bholenath) and experience the auspiciousness.
Visitors to this fair experience an increase in faith, spirituality, love, and compassion. Visiting this fair gives you the feeling of meeting Lord Shiva.
7. Tarnetar Fair
Tarnetar Mela (Fair), also known as Trinetreshwar Mahadev Mela, This fair is held in Tarnetar village, in the Surendranagar district of Gujarat. This fair is very important for single boys and girls. In this fair, young men and women of the Adivasi, Charan, Ahir, Bharwad, and Rabari communities choose a partner for their traditional marriage. The people there call this process Swayamvar (the process of finding a groom of one’s choice). In which young women wear traditional clothes, ornaments, and various decorative items to find a suitable groom of their imagination from this fair. On the other hand, even young men don’t hesitate to attract girls to themselves with all the pomp and show.
This fair is held in the month of Bhadrawa (a Hindu month). It comes in August or September. Artists from all corners of Gujarat gather at this fair. These artists entertain the visitors by performing their art and traditional dances. This fair is not just a fair but also a spirit of keeping alive the culture, music, and artistry here. In this fair, the sale and exhibition of hand-made items made by expert artisans, including embroidered clothes, jewelry, clay, and wood handicrafts, are also done in large numbers. It cannot happen that there is a swimmer’s fair and there is no entertainment. Bullock cart races are held here. It is very exciting. Apart from kite-flying competitions for kitelovers, entertainment is provided to the visitors through wrestling, etc.
In addition to delicious sweets, stalls of local Gujarati food such as thepla, dhokla, and fafda-jalebi are also available at this fair. And the people enjoying this fair are eating these dishes with pleasure. The importance of this fair increases a lot as it unites social bonds by strengthening them. This fair is a celebration of love, custom, and culture. Apart from India, it attracts foreign tourists as well as cultural enthusiasts. In short, it is a glimpse of tribal society, rich heritage, and social structure.
Conclusion:
So, friends, I hope you have liked my article on the festivals of Gujarat and have gained more knowledge about the culture of India. If yes, then let us know in the comments below this article and also tell us on which topic you want to read the next article. I will see you in another very interesting and informative article. Until then, take care, stay healthy, and have peace.
Sir post separate articles on each festival…that would be better…btw amazing information 🥰🥰