The state of Gujarat offers tourists a golden opportunity to explore the beauty of the culture and tradition of the western part of the Indian subcontinent.
The festivals of Gujarat are an integral part of Gujarati culture.
The top 10 important festivals of Gujarat are
1. Navratri
One of the most famous festivals of Gujarat is Navratri. This festival makes Gujarat a special feature and during this auspicious occasion, both males and females gather in the squares and temples of their different villages and enjoy themselves with full enthusiasm.
Nights of Dandiya, Garba songs, folk music, competitions, exhibitions, free flow of mouth watering food items, large crowds dressed in their finest costumes.
2. Diwali
The people of this state firmly believe that Goddess Lakshmi rises on this day to bless the world with success and good luck.
It is also believed by Gujaratis that the Goddess visits the houses, which are well lit so that they will happily take the initiative to decorate their houses with chains of light, flowers, and paper.
The congregation of both men and women testify in the markets of Gujarat. The fact is that people indulge in the festive spirit of the festival.
3. Kite Festival
Considered as one of the national festivals of Gujarat, the Kite Festival is celebrated on Makar Sankranti, i.e. 14 January. There are many colorful and uniquely shaped kites that are moving up in the air and touching the sky.
The festival is also known as Uttarayan. The kite is high in the air fighting with each other and the wind around the air cries victorious of happiness. People donate special traditional attire and taste special foods on this day.
4. Holi
The spring festival of Holi, celebrated in Gujarat, occurs in the month of Phalgun, which is between the months of February and March.
The festival of Holi assumes an entirely new color in the state of Gujarat and hence the people of the state resonate with the folk songs like “Govind Ala Re, Zara Mat Kissam Bhil Brijbala”.
People greet each other with colors and thus increase the sense of harmony that leads to happiness. The tradition of breaking the pot is celebrated with great pomp here.
It is an extreme pleasure to see the human pyramid breaking over the buttermilk on the road. Burning bonfire is also a special feature of Holi celebrations in Gujarat.
5. Bhadra Purnima
The main temple of Goddess Ambaji in Gujarat and its origins have been lost for a long time. In fact, the annual Bhadra Purnima is one of the four most important festivals of Gujarat.
During this festival, farmers visit the temple and celebrate all these four festivals with traditional Garba dance darshan, Om havan, and community performance.
Devotees from across the state visit the Ambaji temple and participate in the recitation of the 700-year-old Shlokas’ Saptashati written in honor of the goddess and also visit the temple for her auspicious darshan. A big fair is also organized during the festival of this festival.
6. Rath Yatra
The widely popular festival Rath Yatra, also known as ‘Rath Festival’, is celebrated in the state of Gujarat in the months of June and July.
A large procession is taken out from the Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad to mark the chariot journey of Lord Krishna to Ahmedabad.
When the chariot carrying the idols of Jagannath is also considered an incarnation of Lord Krishna, Lord Balarama and Goddess Subhadra are taken out with great pomp and chanting verses and bhajans in honor of the Lord.
The deities are adorned with colorful attire and embellished with garlands. The procession begins with the Jagdish temple located in the Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad city.
7. Janmashtami
One of the most awaited festivals of Gujarat, Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated with enthusiasm and vigor in Dwarka, Gujarat.
People celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight, placing an idol in a cradle and worshiping it. A thread tied to the cradle is gently pulled to form a swing.
The festival is known for its Dahi Handi ceremony, devotional singing, dancing, and feeding Lord Krishna his favorite food, butter.
The idol of Lord Krishna is bathed and then placed on a swing. Raslila is done to recreate events from the life of God and immortalize his love for his beloved, Radha.
8. Ganesh Chaturthi
It is one of the most popular festivals in Gujarat. It is celebrated in honor of Lord Ganesha, who is considered the destroyer of all obstacles.
The festival is celebrated with impressive processions carrying huge statues of Lord Ganesha.
9. Modhera Dance Festival
Also known as the Uttara Mahotsava, the Modera Dance Festival is a three-day festival to experience the essence of classical Indian dance and music.
Organized by Gujarat Tourism Corporation, this festival is celebrated.
10. Kutch Festival
Tourism officials of Gujarat organize this festival every year in the month of February as per the English calendar.
This popular festival not only includes folk dances, poetry, music, ballads, regional handicrafts, and jewelry but also provides a complete refreshment to the people of the entire state for the term “communal harmony”.
Rhythmic music, authentic handcrafted items, bandini sarees, and traditional jewelry are some of the things that will be seen on the shiny white sand. The festival represents the culture in its purest form.
