Fairs & Festivals of Gujarat

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Fairs & Festivals of Gujarat

This tour start with mega festival Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, further along the journey we meet many people through Gujarat,  we will celebrate two annual fairs and a Hindu festival. We take part first in the great Tarnetar fair in central Gujarat, then in Ravechi, located near the ethnic region of Kutch. We then discover the great annual Hindu festival of Bhadarvi Poornima at the Ambaji temple, located physically in Rajasthan but not far from northern Gujarat.

Fairs & Festivals of Gujarat

This tour will give a nice kaleidoscope of colours, life-style and rituals in Mumbai and Gujarat.

Tour Highlights

  1. Ganesh Chaturthi: the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed Hindu God in Mumbai.
  2. Pandals (temporary structure) in Mumbai where huge idols of Ganesha are enthroned to be immersed later.
  3. A colourful kaleidoscope of rural Gujarat and its indigenous communities.
  4. Shops selling local products, handicrafts, jewelry, household goods and numerous fairground attractions.
  5. Newly wedded couples from the indigenous tribes of Gujarat in their beautiful traditional wedding dresses.
  6. Insight into the unique lifestyle, traditional textile and weaves of the indigenous communities of Gujarat

Itinerary

Mumbai – Rajkot – Bhuj – Dasada – Balaram – Ahmedabad

Day 01: Arrive Mumbai
Airport welcome and transfer to your Hotel.
Day 02: Mumbai
Today is Day 1 of Ganesh Chaturthi. During this ten days festival, families install idols of Ganesha in their homes while various neighbourhoods and associations erect pandals (fabricated structure, either temporary or permanent, in a social or religious ceremony) where huge idols of Ganesha are enthroned to be immersed later. Today we will visit a few such Ganesha pandals (temporary structures that houses the idols of Ganesha). Be prepared to walk today whilst visiting these pandals. In the evening we will visit the home of a local to get an insight into how locals celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in their homes.
Day 03 & 04 : Mumbai (flight) Rajkot (90 kms – 03 hrs) Tarnetar festival camp
We leave our hotel on time to board the early morning flight to Rajkot which is a short haul of 65 minutes. Sandwiches and Cofee/Juice on board your flight with our best compliments. We arrive Rajkot and proceed to the Imperial Palace for breakfast. Post breakfast we continue by surface to Tarnetar (90 kms/ 3 hrs approx). We shall spend two nights here in camps. We enjoy the Tarnetar Fair which is a celebration of ethnic Gujarat's folkdance, music, costumes and arts, centered on young tribal men and women seeking marriage partners. But even for those not interested in finding a spouse the romance and excitement in the air is captivating. Tarnetar is a colourful kaleidoscope of rural Gujarat and its indigenous communities. Stalls selling beautiful local handicrafts, along with ethnic jewelry, statues of deities and traditional affire with tiny mirror work are set up during the fair. There are also merry-go-round rides, photographer's stalls, magic shows and tattoo artists. Photograpghers' delight.
Day 05 : Tarnetar – Bhuj (260 kms – 06 hrs)
Today we continue to Bhuj with its quaint alleys, old palaces, carved doors and gates, Hindu temples and bazaars. Enroute we stop either at Dhamadka for an insight into Ajrak Block Printing or Dhaneti to see the traditional embroidery of the Ahir community considered one of the finest in Gujarat. On arrival we check into our hotel. Time and energy permitting we may go for a stroll in Bhuj town.
Day 06 : Bhuj
Today we spend the day in different villages and with different communities of the Banni area, a low-lying, sixteen hundred square kilometers pastureland close to the salt marshes of the Great Rann of Kutch for an insight into their unique lifestyle, beautiful handicrafts and traditional embroidery.
Day 07: Bhuj – Ravechi festival camp (120 kms – 02½ hrs)
Today we continue to the village of Rav to be a part of the Ravechi Fair where members of the indigenous tribes of the area come to pray to the Mother Goddess, meet their friends and dance to the rhythm of music. The center of attraction is the Ravechi Temple of the Mother Goddess where people come to pray including the newly wedded couples in their beautiful traditional wedding dresses. Numerous multi-colored stalls are set up which sells the local handicrafts, homemade clothes, handmade fabrics, mirror works, embroidery and lace work and other fine specimens of local hand-works of the womenfolk of Gujarat. You will also witness traditional dances and drama staged by the locals. More than 30 thousand people participate in Ravechi Fair, mainly Ahir, Rabari & Charan communities. We will also see the 'Gaushala' of the Temple which houses close to 3000 cows and takes care of them.
Day 08: Ravechi festival camp - Bhuj (120 kms – 02½ hrs)
Enjoy the fair till the late evening and later return to Bhuj.
Day 09: Bhuj – Dasada (Little Rann of Kutch) ( 280 Kms – 06 hrs )
Morning drive to Dasada & Check in at Rann Riders or Desert Courses or Similar Afternoon visit to the Little Rann of Kutch (By jeep) Overnight at Coobas ( Huts accommodation).
Day 10: Dasada (Little Rann of Kutch)
Morning visit the Little Rann of Kutch vusut tge Wild ass sanctuary and surrounding covering The scenic flamingo’s & nearby villages Afternoon visit Modhera, Sun Temple & Patan – Silk weaving centre Overnight at Coobas ( Huts accommodation).
Day 11: Dasada – Balaram (120 kms – 02 hrs)
Morning drive to Balaram and afternoon visit the Ambaji Temples & also cover interesting Badrapurnima Fair Bhadra Purnima Fair [Near Ambaji] Ambaji village lies at the foothills of the Aravalli mountain range in north Gujarat. It is the principal shrine of the goddess in Gujarat. The temple of Ambaji is recognised as one of the original Shakti Pithas. On full moon days there is a virtual festival at Ambaji, but the full moon of Bhadrapad is one of the four most important festival days of the year, when agriculturists go to the temple in their thousands, along with members of the general public. There is a large fair on this occasion, while in the evening performances of Bhavai are held, and garba programmes are organised. Over five Lacs people come here during Bhadra Purnima fair. ** Important Note : Please note "these dates may vary according to Hindu Calendar based on the full moon day" Evening return to Balaram & Overnight.
Day 12: Balaram
Morning visit the fair site of Bhadra Purnima near Ambaji Later afternoon visit Poshina – To Visit the Garasia Tribal Villages Covering Bhails and Garasias etc etc. Later evening Return to Balaram and Overnight.
Day 13: Balaram - Ahmedabad (200 kms – 04 hrs)
Morning Drive to Ahmedabad on way visit Adalaj Step Well. In the evening walking tour of Ahemdabad, A special feature of Ahmedabad is the plan of the old city comprising numerous pols, self-contained neighborhoods, sheltering large numbers of peoples. Some of these virtually small villages, traversed by narrow streets, usually terminating in square with community wells and chabutaras for feeding birds, gates, Cul-de-sacs, and secret passages. To experience the glory of Ahmedabad, it is necessary to walk through an old quarter and truly observe the nature of its architecture, its art, religious places, its culture and traditions.
Day 14: Ahemdabad depature
Day free till departure flight to return.
  • Best Season:  From 01 September –  30 April
map of Nawabs of Lucknow

The highlights of this trip

Ganesh Chaturthi

A broken tusk. A rounded body carrying the wisdom of the universe. A tray of sweets by his side. A tiny mouse on the other. A lotus in one hand. A crown on his head. The second arm raised with an axe. A third lifting in benediction and blessing. This is the mighty Ganesha. A god revered by millions around the world. The remover of obstacles. The patron of art and science. The God of wisdom. The son of Shiva and Parvati. It is his birth; Hindu’s celebrate with great fervour and devotion every year.

Yes, it is time for the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi. In honour of this massive festival in India.

Tarnetar Fair

Tarnetar is a small village about 75 kilometers from Rajkot in Saurashtra. Here, one of the most colourful fairs in the State takes place. Elegantly dressed in colourful dhot s, waistcoat and head cloth twisted at an angle on their heads, they hold large colourful embroidered umbrellas which indeed have become emblems of the fair. Tarnetar is one of the most important matchmaking melas. 

Ravechi Fair

Ravechi Mata Temple is located near Nana Reva in Rapar Taluka of Kutch. A grand fair is held on Bhadra Sud Atham of Hindu Calender. More than 30 thousand people participate in Ravechi Fair, mainly Ahir, Rabari & Charan communities.

Bhadra Purnima Fair

Ambaji village lies at the foothills of the Aravalli mountain range in north Gujarat. It is the principal shrine of the goddess in Gujarat. The temple of Ambaji is recognised as one of the original Shakti Pithas. On full moon days there is a virtual festival at Ambaji. 

  • Wildlife 95% 95%
  • Monuments 70% 70%
  • Safaris 90% 90%
  • Landscapes 95% 95%

Splash of colours and great festivals!

“Brilliant itinerary, lovely food, great tour manager, good hotel, friendly people, great weather. What’s not to love?.”

Brigitte & Laure – Clermont Ferrand, France

A varied and interesting tour during so beautiful fairs and festivals

“A varied and interesting tour during so beautiful fairs and festivals with excellent accommodation, fantastic food throughout and a guide, Vishu, who did all he could to make the tour more enjoyable. “

Group Noah – Zurich, Switzerland.

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