Gujarat fairs and festivals are well known worldwide. It is due to the celebration of numerous fairs and festivals in Gujarat that it is also called the 'Land of fairs and festivals'. Around 3500 fairs and festivals at Gujarat are celebrated all the year around. The fairs and festivals of Gujarat can be celebrated for the change of season, at harvesting time of a green field, on some religious event.
The significance of Gujarat fairs and festivals is that they take you closer to the rich cultural diversity of the people there. You get to see the customs, ethics, values and beliefs of the people of Gujarat. Moreover, you also get to know the regional cuisine, clothes, etc., during the fairs and festivals of Gujarat. They help people to live a fuller and better life, remove monotony and provide healthy recreation. They promote unity, fellow-feeling, self-discipline and austerity.
All the fairs and festivals at Gujarat are governed by solar and lunar calendars and are mainly religious in nature. One striking feature of the fairs and festivals in Gujarat is that one can experience the cultural and religious diversity of the place.
The Gujarat fairs and festivals attract thousands of tourists every year from all across the globe to come and witness the dense cultural heritage of this part of India. Navarathri is the most colorful festival of Gujarat. Religion and tradition aside, a garba circle can take on a surprising spiritual power. Women often give up certain eatables during these nights, which can be quite a purifying experience, if done right. It is a time for even the most traditional and housebound women to be out of the house and whirling, uninhibited, towards the divinity that hides within her own body. Many of the songs begin slow and gradually speed up, sending the dancers into a trance, especially when the music and dance is in its rawest form. When you come to a garba, wherever in Gujarat you may find yourself for Navarathri, imagine this: A circle, or concentric circles, moving around the central representation of a universal creative force, the source of life; everybody performing the same step; a mandala of energetic potential; the Mother Goddess unleashed.
The entire period between June and October, when most of the countryside is engaged in agriculture, the festivals celebrated are mostly days of austerity, penance and fasting. The period includes the Gauri Puja, the Janmashtami, the Nag Panchami the Paryushan and the Ganesha Chaturthi. Many of Gujarat's festivals are mostly celebrated by women. Gauri puja is observed by young, unmarried girls, who fast and pray for getting 'suitable husbands'. The Savitri Vrata is observed by married women. They worship the banyan tree and offer thanks for their happy married life. Gujarat also celebrates festivals like Ramnavami, Sivaratri and Mahavir Jayanyti.
Muslims in Gujarat celebrate their festivals, such as the Moharrum, the prophet's day and the Id days. Similarly Parsis celebrate their New Year day Pateti. Christmas, New Year and Easter are observed by the Christians.
The significance of Gujarat fairs and festivals is that they take you closer to the rich cultural diversity of the people there. You get to see the customs, ethics, values and beliefs of the people of Gujarat. Moreover, you also get to know the regional cuisine, clothes, etc., during the fairs and festivals of Gujarat. They help people to live a fuller and better life, remove monotony and provide healthy recreation. They promote unity, fellow-feeling, self-discipline and austerity.
All the fairs and festivals at Gujarat are governed by solar and lunar calendars and are mainly religious in nature. One striking feature of the fairs and festivals in Gujarat is that one can experience the cultural and religious diversity of the place.
The Gujarat fairs and festivals attract thousands of tourists every year from all across the globe to come and witness the dense cultural heritage of this part of India. Navarathri is the most colorful festival of Gujarat. Religion and tradition aside, a garba circle can take on a surprising spiritual power. Women often give up certain eatables during these nights, which can be quite a purifying experience, if done right. It is a time for even the most traditional and housebound women to be out of the house and whirling, uninhibited, towards the divinity that hides within her own body. Many of the songs begin slow and gradually speed up, sending the dancers into a trance, especially when the music and dance is in its rawest form. When you come to a garba, wherever in Gujarat you may find yourself for Navarathri, imagine this: A circle, or concentric circles, moving around the central representation of a universal creative force, the source of life; everybody performing the same step; a mandala of energetic potential; the Mother Goddess unleashed.
The entire period between June and October, when most of the countryside is engaged in agriculture, the festivals celebrated are mostly days of austerity, penance and fasting. The period includes the Gauri Puja, the Janmashtami, the Nag Panchami the Paryushan and the Ganesha Chaturthi. Many of Gujarat's festivals are mostly celebrated by women. Gauri puja is observed by young, unmarried girls, who fast and pray for getting 'suitable husbands'. The Savitri Vrata is observed by married women. They worship the banyan tree and offer thanks for their happy married life. Gujarat also celebrates festivals like Ramnavami, Sivaratri and Mahavir Jayanyti.
Muslims in Gujarat celebrate their festivals, such as the Moharrum, the prophet's day and the Id days. Similarly Parsis celebrate their New Year day Pateti. Christmas, New Year and Easter are observed by the Christians.
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