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FESTIVAL CALENDAR · GUJARAT · 025

Festivals in Gujarat.

25 festivals across Gujarat — organised by month.

Dates vary

Bhavnath Maha Shivaratri Mela

Mount Girnar

A 5-day fair held at the Bhavnath Mahadev Temple at the foothills of Mount Girnar near Junagadh. The festival culminates on the auspicious night of Maha Shivaratri when devotees believe Lord Shiva himself visits the temple. Naga Sadhus arrive in grand processions on elephants, blowing conch shells and chanting hymns. Grand puja of Lord Shiva is conducted at midnight.

Dholavira Festival

Dholavira

A heritage festival blending archaeology with contemporary performance at India's oldest urban site. Features interactive heritage walks through the Harappan city layout, traditional crafts demonstrations including block printing and bead making, and performances by folk and classical musicians. Free entry for all visitors, promoting heritage-based tourism and archaeological education.

January

Kutch Mahotsav

Kutch (Bhuj)

Cultural festival celebrating Kutchi crafts, music, dance. Showcases 16 tribal communities and their art forms.

International Kite Festival (Uttarayan)

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad sky fills with millions of kites. International kite flyers. Rooftop parties across the city. Undhiyu and jalebi on every corner.

Uttarardh Mahotsav (Modhera Dance Festival)

Modhera Sun Temple

A two-day classical dance festival celebrating the winter solstice at the ancient Sun Temple. The festival showcases diverse Indian classical dance forms including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Sattriya. Named after the astronomical halfway point of the sun's northward journey, honoring the sun god.

February

Champaner Heritage Festival

Champaner-Pavagadh

Cultural celebration at the UNESCO site. Classical music, heritage walks, archaeological exhibitions.

Dang Darbar Festival

Saputara

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.

Bhavnath Mela (Girnar Mahashivratri Mela)

Junagadh

A five-day sacred fair at the Bhavnath Mahadev temple at the foothills of Girnar mountain, honoring Lord Shiva. The fair is renowned for processions of naga sadhus, ritual bathing in holy Mrugi Kund, devotional singing through the night, and traditional bhavai folk dances. Attracts thousands of pilgrims and ascetics.

March

Maha Shivaratri at Somnath

Somnath

Night-long Shiva worship at the eternally rebuilt Jyotirlinga. Thousands of devotees gather for the all-night vigil.

July

Saputara Monsoon Festival

Saputara

Annual festival organized by the Gujarat Tourism Department to celebrate tribal culture and the natural beauty of the Saputara region in the Dang District. Features tribal food festival, tattoo workshop, art & craft stalls, tribal costume photoshoot, folk fusion concerts, Warli painting workshop, and performances by over 350 folk artists. First week themed 'Tribal Heritage Week' showcasing tribal arts, crafts, traditional cuisines, and exhibitions of tribal skills.

August

Janmashtami at Dwarkadhish

Dwarka

Krishna birthday celebrations at his legendary kingdom. Midnight festivities, Dahi Handi, temple decorations. One of India premier Janmashtami venues.

Janmashtami Festival

Dakor

Ranchhodrai temple in Dakor celebrates Lord Krishna's birthday with elaborate rituals, special prayers, colorful decorations, and traditional dances depicting scenes from Krishna's life. Thousands of devotees gather for special darshan.

September

Bhadarvi Poonam Mela

Ambaji

A major pilgrimage fair at Ambaji temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, attracting hundreds of thousands of devotees during the full moon of Bhadrapad month. The fair features devotional rituals, folk music, Garba performances, and in recent years, grand drone light shows.

October

Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations at Kirti Mandir

Porbandar

Annual celebration of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary at Kirti Mandir, his ancestral home and birthplace in Porbandar. Official ceremonies include wreaths, speeches honoring Gandhi as the Father of the Nation, and cultural exhibitions of rare photographs, manuscripts, and memorabilia related to his life and work.

Ekta Diwas (Unity Day)

Statue of Unity

Sardar Patel birthday celebrated at the world's tallest statue (182m). Light shows, cultural programs.

Navratri Garba

Vadodara

Gujarat is the global capital of Navratri Garba. Vadodara hosts the biggest events with 50,000+ dancers. United Way Garba is legendary.

Sharad Purnima Festival

Dakor

Celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna appears as Ranchodrai at Dakor temple. Elaborate processions with temple idols, cultural performances, and rituals commemorate the divine love of Radha and Krishna. Thousands of pilgrims gather for special celebrations.

November

Kartik Purnima at Somnath

Somnath

Grand celebrations at the first of 12 Jyotirlingas. Special puja during Kartik Purnima. Light festival on the coast.

Shatrunjaya Mahotsav

Palitana

Jain pilgrimage festival at Shatrunjaya Hill (863 temples). Mass pilgrimage with special ceremonies.

Lili Parikrama (Green Circumambulation of Mount Girnar)

Mount Girnar

A sacred pilgrimage circumambulating Mount Girnar during the Hindu month of Kartik. The green parikrama (pradakshina) is approximately 36 km through dense forest, starting from Bhavnath temple. Around 1 lakh pilgrims participate, walking over 4 days, honoring Girnar as a sacred peak for both Hindu and Jain faiths.

December

Gir Jungle Trail Festival

Gir National Park

Wildlife festival at Gir celebrating the Asiatic lion. Nature walks, photography workshops, conservation education.

Rann Utsav

Kutch (Bhuj)

4-month desert festival at the Great Rann of Kutch. White salt desert under full moon. Cultural performances, handicraft exhibitions, tent city accommodation.

Full Moon Rann Walk

Rann of Kutch

Guided moonlit walks on the white salt desert. The Great Rann glows white under moonlight — surreal experience.

Mandvi Beach Festival

Mandvi

A ten-day coastal cultural festival at Mandvi Beach with free entry, featuring nightly cultural musical performances with renowned artists on weekends. The festival includes adventure activities, beach sports, sand art, bonfire arrangements, live music, stargazing sessions, laser light shows, and traditional craft and food stalls against the Arabian Sea backdrop.

Water Festival - Rani ki Vav

Rani ki Vav (Patan)

Annual cultural festival organized by the Government of Gujarat to celebrate the grandeur of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rani ki Vav stepwell in Patan. Features classical and folk dance performances including Garba, Raas, and Bharatanatyam. The stepwell is beautifully illuminated at night. Includes handicraft exhibitions highlighting Patan's famous Patola sarees, heritage walks, and traditional Gujarati food stalls.

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