One of Gujarat's most significant tribal festivals held in Ahwa, Dang District, in the Saputara Hills. Gatherings of diverse tribal communities including Bhils, Kunbis, Warlis, and Gamits in traditional attire. Spectacular tribal dances performed in concentric circles with traditional percussion and wind instruments (Kahalia, Tadpur). The festival's name was changed to 'Jamabandi Durbar' with the District Collector officiating.
Why it mattersHistoric festival with origins dating to 1842, when an agreement was reached between the British East India Company and five tribal kings (Gadhavi, Pimpri, Amala-Linga, Vasurana, Daher). Celebrates tribal culture, dance, music, and community traditions of the Dang region.
Going for this? Saputara in February
February at Saputara is the dry calm month — 12-26°C, Western Ghats views clear, the Dang tribal villages relaxed in pre-summer routine. Pleasant for the Hatgad-Artist Village-Sunset Point loop, though Gira Waterfalls is a trickle this season.
See the Saputara February guide →
Getting there
Nearest airport
Surat — 160km
Nearest railway
Waghai — 50km
Where to stay in Saputara
Shilpi Hill Resort Saputara
₹₹₹hill-resort · Near Saputara View Point
Three-star family-focused resort 5 minutes walk from Saputara View Point — banquet space, swimming pool, multi-cuisine restaurant — the most consistent Gujarat-side resort in the only hill station in the state.
Patang Residency Saputara
₹₹hill-resort · Opposite Boat Club, Saputara Lake
44-room hotel opposite the Saputara Boating Club, on the lake shore — indoor and outdoor pools, badminton court, the most lake-adjacent built stay in Saputara town with the easiest morning row-boat access.
Club Mahindra Hatgad Saputara
₹₹₹₹hill-resort · Hatgad, Nashik District (5-6 km from Saputara)
Club Mahindra resort just across the Maharashtra border 5-6 km from Saputara — gym, spa, indoor games, scenic Sahyadri treks, the only true 4-star resort on the Saputara hill cluster. Note: technically in Maharashtra (Nashik district), accessed via Saputara.
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Where to eat
Lake Garden Cafe (GTDC)
Saputara Lake, near boating jetty · ₹
SignatureSnacks and tea by the lake
Best as a mid-afternoon stop, not a destination meal. The samosa-chai pairing is the order most regulars get; avoid the dosa (the South Indian section is reheated batter). Lake-edge benches fill up between 3-6pm; arrive earlier for the view.
Sunset Point Bhajiya Stalls (Monsoon)
Sunset Point / Table Point road · ₹
SignatureHot pakora and corn during monsoon
Active only July-September — outside monsoon, most carts are gone. Stalls run hottest 4pm-7pm to catch the Sunset Point crowd. Mirchi pakora (chilli fritter) is the local order; pyaaz (onion) is the safer one for kids. Carry cash; UPI works at maybe 1 in 5 carts.
The Pasand Restaurant at Patang Residency
Saputara Lake shore · ₹₹
SignatureLake-view multi-cuisine dinner
Window seats face the lake — request specifically. Lunch is calmer; dinner buses-in tour groups. The veg sizzler is the menu's most ordered item. Avoid the continental section.
Toran Hill Resort Restaurant (GTDC)
Near entrance, Saputara · ₹₹
SignatureUnlimited Gujarati thali (lunch and dinner)
Lunch (12-3pm) is the right window — fresher than dinner. Walk-ins for thali only are permitted; no breakfast unless you're staying. Skip if you're here in monsoon (Jun-Sep); the resort drops to half-capacity and the kitchen runs leaner.
All eateries in Saputara →
What else to see in Saputara
Saputara Lake
Boating lake in the centre of town. Paddle boats, row boats, and speed boats available.
Gira Waterfalls
30-meter waterfall in Dangs forest, spectacular during monsoon. 50 km from Saputara.
Saputara Ropeway
Cable car ride over the lake and hills with panoramic Western Ghats views. Best at sunset.
Other festivals in Saputara
