Festivals of Gujarat

A visit to Tourism of Gujarat, offers a tourist with a golden opportunity to unravel the beauty of the culture and tradition of a stately and traditional Gujarat, India. Tourism of Gujarat, offers an opportunity to skim through the role that religion plays in the civic life of Gujarat, India. Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a colorful and ennobling odyssey of the bright, musical and ebullient festivals of a colorful and exciting Gujarat, situated in India. Gujarat, situated in India, prefers to celebrate its religious festivals like Navaratri, Deepavali, Kite Festival, Shiv Ratri and Janmashtami, with a great deal of pomp, splendor and aplomb which makes all these events quintessentially Gujarati in spirit and rhythm. Fun and Frolic and general merriment seems to be the order of the day as people of all hues, shades and denominations venture outside their homes to be one with the festive spirit of Gujarat, India.

Navratri, is a celebration of the victory of good over evil and the restoration of the general order of things in the firmament and happens to be the festival when one can witness the people of Gujarat in the their colorful attires, spreading and celebrating gaiety and pleasure all around them with their dances and lilting music to the gladdening of all and sundry.

Navaratri

A visit to Tourism of Gujarat, takes the interested tourist on a journey across the length and breadth of Gujarat, situated in India, where the festival which scores over all others in Gujarat, situated in India, is the colorful and ebullient festival of Navaratri, which lasts for nine days and nine nights. It is a sacred and fascinating celebration of the triumph of good over the evil forces of the Universe with the destroyer-Demon Ravana breathing his last at the hands of the forces of good, which are pioneered by Lord Rama and lead by him to the detriment of the Rakshasas. The festival of lights, that, is Deepavali, is also a related festival signifying the same euphoric triumph with the forces of Good being garlanded by lady victory.

Navaratri, being celebrated in Gujarat, India, also involves as its modern avatar, Dandia Ras, which is a rumbustious explosion of color and gaiety with colorful attires and sparkling dresses being worn by both males and females, forming the order of the day. Navaratri, being celebrated in Gujarat, India, has of now become so popular that it has found its practioners and acolytes in the states of Gujarat, the state of origin, Maharashtra, where the large stadiums and maidans host dandia ras and other Navaratri celebrations. Rajasthan, Delhi and other situations in the Indian Tourism industry too, have emerged as the receptacles of Dandia Ras and other attendant Navaratri celebrations in India. The festival no longer remains confined to the boundaries of the stately and colorful state of Gujarat, situated in India.

Kite Festival (Makar Sankranti)

Tourism of Gujarat, offers travel related information concerning Kite festival which is held on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, which is celebrated all across the length and breadth of the country with varying intensity. Makar Sankranti is well known but the exciting and thrilling adjunct to the festive day, that is, Kite flying is popular in only some of the regions of the country with Gujarat, leading the way in terms of the people’s participation and the fervor of the celebrating folks and the intensity they display in their annual merriment. You can Enjoy the Fair & Festival’s here through the Gujarat Tribal Tour.

Kite Flying has always been the favorite pastime of the localites of Gujarat with Ahmedabad and some of the smaller towns too being the practioners of the regaling and thrilling Kite Flying Festival, being celebrated in Gujarat, India. Uttarayan, marks the day when monster winter starts declining and days begin to become longer and the heat of the festival can be felt. Ahmedabad, situated in Gujarat, India, is known as the kite flying capital of Gujarat, India, with an attendant Patang bazaar, which remains open through the 24 hours personifying the popularity of the kite flying festival, to the brink of a frenzied preoccupation. People in Gujarat make their own kites with locally available paper and sticks along with the making of the kite thread being done with glass powder and a quaint rice paste.

Deepavali

A visit to Tourism of Gujarat, offers ample of opportunity to the tourists to unearth the rituals and the legends behind the grand and ebullient festival of Deepavali, situated in Gujarat, India. Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a journey across the length and breadth of Gujarat, India, where akin to other regions, Deepavali, is celebrated with great gusto and aplomb. Tourism of Gujarat, offers a golden opportunity to the tourist to know that akin to other travel destinations in India, Gujarat, too celebrates Deepavali on the same lines with the festival commemorating an event. The event being the return of Lord Rama, to his hometown of Ayodhya with his consort Devi Sita. The citizens of Ayodhya then decorated the gateways, walls and the rooftops of the their homes with lamps to celebrate the safe and triumphant comeback of their King after a long time period, unscathed by the vagaries of time.

Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a tour across the locations and travel destinations where Deepavali, the festival of lights is celebrated with great pomp and vigor. Gujarat, already celebrates 2,000 big and small festivals, with Deepavali and the grandiose Navaratri celebrations being one of them. Deepavali, being celebrated in Gujarat, India, is one of the major festivals in the Hindu calendar. It occurs in October/November, and is spread over four days. Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi) is the first day or rather the eve of the day on which the festival begins. Narkachaturdashi which is also known as Kalichoudas is the second day. Laxmi Pujan and New year (Padava) normally occur (depending on the Hindu calendar) simultaneously on the third day and Bhaiya-duj is the last day.

MahaShivratri

Tourism of Gujarat, offers a rare opportunity to the traveler who has undertaken a guided tour across Gujarat, situated in India, especially during the course of the celebration of Shivratri, in Gujarat, India. Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a journey across the expanses of Gujarat, situated in India and the tourists are also regaled by the celebration of the grand and religious festival of Shivratri, in Gujarat, India. Shivratri, is celebrated in Gujarat on a large scale with the parallel Kutch Desert Festival, which is celebrated in Kutch, Gujarat, India.

Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a scouting tour of the day which is celebrated all across Gujarat, in India, as the birthday of Lord Shiva. Shivratri, is celebrated in the month of phalguna in India, and is commonly referred to as the great night of Lord Shiva. The festival of Shivratri, being celebrated throughout the state of Gujarat is also known by the name of Mahashivratri and the devotees, mainly women perform the worship of Lord Shiva and the shoveling with a deluge of milk. The devotees perform the nightlong worship and do not eat anything during the day and finally on the morning of the next day, they perform the eating rituals and break the fast, completing the worshiping of Lord Shiva, the destroyer.

Janmashtami

A visit to Tourism of Gujarat and an attendant look into the life and culture of Gujarat, located in India, offers information that Gujarat is a state, which is religious in nature, and people residing in the state happen to be devout followers of whichever God, they worship. Janmashtami, is known to be the festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna amidst all the negatives happening all around him due to the conspiracies of his maternal Uncle, King Kansa. Janmashtami, and the form which is celebrated in Gujarat, is of a loud and beatific variety in which colorful costumes and revelry amongst the devotees is the order of the day.

Tourism of Gujarat, takes the tourist on a journey across the light and sound of the birth of Lord Krishna, in the form of Janmashtami. Janmashtami celebrations are carried on in the town of Dwarka, situated in Gujarat, India. It is believed according to a legend, that the yadavs, the clan Lord Krishna belonged to, left the town of Mathura and settled down in the town of Dwarka for the betterment and further perpetuation of their clan. Dwarka, situated in Gujarat, India, is replete with temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and so when the festive occasion of Janmashtami comes along, the temples are all filled with decoration and pageantry which culminate with the midnight birth of Lord Krishna, who as a child is adorned with a crown and made to sit on a cradle. People visit Shankhoddhar Beyt in Dwarka, Gujarat, India. Other temples which are high on the list of the devotees are the temple of Shank-Narayan, dedicated to the Matsyavatar, the incarnation of Vishnu as a big fish.

Kutch Desert Festival

A visit to Kutch Desert Festival, offers access to the interior and beautiful recesses of the region of Kutch, situated in Gujarat, India. A visit to Kutch Desert Festival, offers an insight into the region which comprises of expansive wastelands and eerie landscapes to the excitement of a large number of tourists who come to visit Gujarat, situated in India. Kutch is a large inundated section of land bearing similarities with the American Wild West. Kutch, situated in Gujarat, India, can also be equated with a Desert in some terrains.

Though Kutch, situated in Gujarat, India, is a land of few people but it is also known among some as a land of Palaces, Forts, colorful dressage, bird rich marshes along with beautiful handicrafts which are in a dire need of being marketed and propagated to the surrounding world to maintain the throng of tourists to the Rann of Kutch, situated in Gujarat, India. Kutch, situated in Gujarat, India, gets displayed in all its potential, beauty and vigor, with a large number of connoisseurs to comment on the colorful and vibrant lifestyles of the people in Kutch, situated in India, through the Kutch Festival. The Kutch Festival, is celebrated in Kutch, near the days when Shivratri is celebrated in Gujarat, India. During the celebration of Kutch Desert Festival, colorfully attired dancers, music concerts, Sindhi Bhajan performances, Langa Desert Music and shops selling embroideries and jewelry are too, the hallmarks of the Kutch Desert Festival, being celebrated in Gujarat, India.

It can be difficult to put down the history and culture of Rajasthan in a few short sentences. There is no corner of the state that has not witnessed the clarion call to a great battle, seen the blooming of a romance, or felt the tragedy that comes with war and natural disasters. The best way to soak in the splendors of the state is to understand how the past has shaped the present. An experienced travel guide can explain the nuances of the customs, dresses, songs, crafts, and monuments that you will see, touch, or hear during your trip to this land of sand dunes and colors.

History

The region was dominated by independent kings and chieftains in the early stage of its recorded history. Though the great Indian epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata do mention some of the sites of pilgrimages in Rajasthan, not much is known about the region before the Gupta rule. Once the Maurya dynasty fell in 400 AD, there was chaos as local warlords fought each other over territory.

The forefathers of the Rajputs established their rule over the land. The sixth century witnessed the emergence of the Sisodia dynasty. Apart from the Sisodias, many smaller clans from other parts of India settled in Rajasthan. They include the Kachhwaha, Bhatis, and Suryavansa.

Some of the most stunning forts and monuments in the country were built by them of course, the romance and passion that is so much a part of Rajasthan’s culture cannot be detailed through a dry account of what every child in India reads in schoolbooks. It is only when you visit the monuments and the palaces that you begin to relate to the various players who shaped the past (and in many ways, the present) of the Rajasthanis.

Listen to the story of Queen Padmini, one of the most beautiful women of her times, so desired by Allaudin Khilji that he sacked and raided her kingdom to carry her off; whether or not he succeeded is a story for another day. While most textbooks mention Maharana Pratap, it is only when you visit the sites of his brave exploits that you will begin to understand why he is regarded as the greatest of all Rajput rulers.

Culture

By now you have probably gotten some idea of the romance that Rajasthan is. Once you visit the state, you realize that it is also a land of incredible warmth and generosity. No monochromes here; the colors of the rainbow are everywhere. Whether the brightly woven carpets made by rural weavers, or the glittering mirrorwork on the skirts and blouses of women, or the festivals such as Teej that celebrate the spirit of spring, there is not a dull shade in the multihued palette of this state.

The Ghoomar is a dance where the women twirl and sashay in their bright skirts to the tune of the sarangi and dholak, instruments typically Rajasthani in their ingenuity and global in their appeal. The traditional artists are famous for their skill in creating leather, wood, and metal items, as well as dyeing fabrics.

Cuisine

Rajasthan is known for its rich culinary traditions as well. The best part about eating out in Rajasthan is that you have choices galore. If you are vegetarian, then try the Marwari and Jain cuisines that will not only allow you to stick to a strictly plant-based diet, but also add a spicy tang to an otherwise cold winter evening. For non vegetarians, besides the usual mutton and poultry preparations, there are unusual dishes such as “khud khargosh”, literally, rabbit in a pit.

Rajasthan is more than just a land, it is a place that helps you understand yourself as you undertake a journey into its past and begin to recognize what molded its present – and will continue to influence its future. Rajasthan Tour is the best way to see this beautiful & amazing land.