Fairs of Gujarat rank amongst the most enthusiastically colourful fairs of India, instrumentally promoting tourism of the state.
Bhavnath Mahadev Mela, Junagarh, Gujarat
Bhavnath Mahadev Mela is celebrated in the Junagarh city of Gujarat, observing the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri. It is a 5-day celebration held in February in the premises of Bhavnath Mahadev Temple at the foothills of Girnar Mountain Range.
Dangs Darbar Fair, Dang, Gujarat
Dangs Darbar Fair is a 3-day annual cultural show held in Dang district of Gujarat. It exhibits the fascinating arts and culture of the local tribes of Dang, displaying a panorama of folk dances, Raasas, Garba, songs and dramas.
Tarnetar Fair, Gujarat
One of the most significant fairs of Gujarat, Tarnetar Fair is a major tourist attraction held in Tarnetar village in honour of the legendary marriage of Draupadi and Arjuna in Mahabharata. The most distinguishing facet of the famous fair is the Tarnetar Chhatri (umbrella) embroidered by the bachelors strikingly in a manner it attracts the visual attention of every visitor, let alone unmarried girls. Gujarat Tourism makes arrangements from Ahmedabad and Rajkot districts to visit Tarnetar during the fair, also providing tented accommodations to visitors that number over 100,000.
Vautha Mela, Gujarat
Vautha Mela, one of the largest rural fairs of Gujarat is the only major animal trade fair held in the state. Resembling the famous camel fair of Pushkar, Rajasthan, Vautha Mela holds mythological as well as economic importance. Animals like donkey, cattle and herds of camel are brought to the site at Vautha village, to be traded. Donkeys are the prime attraction, numbering about 4,000 every year and adorned in an array of colours to suit the occasion.
Dhrang Fair, Kutch, Gujarat
Dhrang Fair in Kutch district of Gujarat is a popular fair held in honour of Saint Mekaran Dada, who founded his Ashram in Dhrang, a small village and spent all his life in service of humanity, preaching people against untouchability and superstitions.
Lili Parikrama Fair, Gujarat
Lili Parikrama Fair is a famous congregation of innumerable devotees at the sacred Mount Girnar in Junagadh, Gujarat, which is believed to be the abode of 33 crore Gods. It has been held since the last 150 years, in the legendary belief that if visitors perform a “Parikrama†(circumambulation) at this religious place, they would receive the blessings of these numerous deities. Millions of pilgrims ascend 4000 steps of Mount Girnar to offer their prayers, in the Hindu month of Kartik.
Shamlaji Melo, Gujarat
Shamlaji Melo is an important fair for the tribes of Gujarat and Rajasthan, held in Shamlaji, a major Hindu pilgrimage centre in Aravalli district. It is celebrated on the full moon day in Kartik.
