KACHCHH MAHOTSAVA

Like so many other regions of Gujarat, Kachchh has it's own distinctive character. It is, in fact, a peninsula, lying between the Sir river, the Sir Creek and and the Great Rann of Kachchh on the north-west, and Gulf of Kachchh on the east. Kachchh, with its colourful people, historic towns, and remarkable handicrafts, has much of interest to offer visitors. The tourism corporation of Gujarat organises an unusual tour of Kachchh, in response to the request of many who wished to visit an area quite different from urban India. This tour was called a "Mahotsava", or a great Festival, because of the great variety of sights and scenes that are offered to visitors. The "Mahotsava" consists of a six day tour of Kachchh, in which all requirement of the visitors are taken care of.

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd. offers a package tour, accommodation, cultural events & catering services. Camp site at Bhuj - Kutch. Kutch as a tourist destination has a vast potential, but is unexplored. It has excellent beaches, wild life, palaces, monuments, desert lands, pre-historic sites, museums, handicraft etc. Govt. of Gujarat is keen to promote tourism in Kutch. Gujarat Tourism with its continuous efforts to promote Kutch as a destination within the country as well as abroad has been able to generate more tourists traffic to Kutch since last two years.

BHAVNATH FAIR AT JUNAGADH

The Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, located at the foot of Girnar, is so ancient that its precise, origins are unknown. The fair held here is on Mahashivaratri, which is for five days and takes places during February , and the events associated with it are colourful indeed. The mahapuja of Lord Shiva takes place at midnight, in this temple, on the 14th day of the dark half of the month of Magh. When puja starts, naga bavas (naked sages) living nearby move towards the fair seated on the elephants, holding flags, and blowing conch shells, sounding tungis and turis. It is firmly believed that Lord Shiva himself visits the shrine on this occassion. Girnar is said to be the abode of the nine Nathas, who are immortal, and eighty four siddhas or spiritually elevated souls all of whom also visit the temple, in their invisible spiritual body.

Visitors are served free meals by the organisers. Special stalls sell idols, rosaries brought by vendours from Ayodhya and Mathura, utensils of brass and copper, sweets and fruits.

BHADRA PURNIMA AT AMBAJI

Ambaji, named after the Mother Goddess of the same name, is one of the 12 original Shakti Pithas, or shrines dedicated to her Divine Power. It draws visitors from all over India and abroad. On fullmoon days there is a virtual festival at Ambaji, but the full moon of Bhadrapad is one of the four most important festival days of the year, when agriculturists go to the temple in their thousands, along with members of the general public.

There is a large fair on this occassion, while in the evening performances of Bhavai are held, and garba programmes are organised. The devout attend readings of the Saptashati, the seven hundred verses in praise of the goddess, and visit the temple for an auspicious view, darshan, of her.

TARNETAR FAIR

The fair is linked with the story of Draupadi's swayamwar and it is said that it was at this place that the great archer Arjuna performed the difficult task that won him his bride. The Tarnetar Fair is one of the most colourful events in the state of Gujarat. This three days fair is held at Temple of Shiva or Trinetreshwar (Three Eyed God) popularly known as Tarnetar. Villagers from all over Saurashtra, dressed in their traditional costumes and exquisite jewellery, throng Tarnetar in their thousands for the fair which has been attracting an increasing number of visitors.

The beauty of this fair lies in the spontaneity with which the people joyously break into folk songs and folk dances to the rhythmic accompaniments of drums and an assortment of folk instruments. There are also enormous circular dancing in which to hundred to two hundred dance to the beat of four drums and jodia pava or double flutes. Their gorgeous traditional costumes and captivating dances makes the Tarnetar fair a unique synthesis of folk art, folk dances, colour and folk music.

Shamlaji Melo , Shamlaji (Kartik Purnima Fair)

This is also called Kartik Purnima Fair and is held during the month of november every year. It lasts for about two weeks. During this period 2,00,000 people of all communities and castes including the Garasias & Bhils, visit the fair. The visit come from adjoining district even from Rajasthan.

The Shamlaji Temple is a renowned Vaishnav shrine, and the deity housed therein is known by various names including Gadadhar - bearer of the mace - and Shaksi Gopal. Archaeologically, the temple is of importance as it was built in the 11th century.

Apart from darshan of the deity in the temple, a bath in the river Meshwo is considered essential. Visitors usually come in groups, and sing devotional songs, carrying religious banners.

Vautha Melo, the Grand Fair at Vautha

A magnificient fair is held every year at Vautha, where two rivers , the Sabarmati and the Vatrak, meet. The village of Vautha is small and has only 2000 inhabitants. Yet when this celebrated fair is on, the number of visitors may increase to an incredible 2,00,000. It is in fact considered one of the largest fairs in Gujarat.

The Vautha mela site is 3 square miles in area.

Legends hold that Kartik Swami or Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, visited the site. This is why the fair is held during Kartika Purnima, the full moon night of the month of Kartik, corresponding to November. The site is also known as Saptasangam, as at the confluence of seven rivers. In actual fact, the great Saptarishis or seven Rishis stayed here for a while. These and other tales, lend the site an air of sanctity, which is enhanced by the fact that there are some famous temples there as well.

Chitra - Vichitra Fair , Gunbhakhari

The fair takes place in the village of Gunbhakhari in Sabarkantha district, very near the borders of Rajasthan. It is held a fortnight after the Holi festival. The fair site is attractive, as the temple which is its focus overlooks the rivers Sabarmati, Akul and Vyakul. It is one of the largest purely adivasis fairs at the border region and attracts large numbers of Bhils who come from all over the surrounding districts using every imaginable form of transport.

The name of the fair is derived from Chitravirya and Vichitravirya, the sons of King Shantanu, who are believed to have lived here and been cured of diseases which afflicted them.

The Garasia and Bhil adivasis dress in their customary colourful costumes. The men's costume generally consists of a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron fenta or turban. Women wear ghagharas and are covered from head to foot with ornate and heavy silver jewellery, using liquid kumkum or vermilion to colour their cheeks and lips a brilliant red, while their eyes are outlined with kajal.

Every group visiting the fair carries its own drum, so that the atmosphere comes alive with the incessant beat of numerous drums. The women sing folk songs, and everyone dances. The dancing and the drumming continue for hours until everyone is exhausted. Over a hundred stalls hold food and drink, and sweets of various kinds. Silver ornaments can be bought and household articles as well. Here, as in other fairs, there is a giant wheel, and a merry-go-round which never cease to spin.