From the midwinter International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad to the autumnal Navratri Garba nights, and the four-month Rann Utsav on the salt desert, each celebration is a majestic experience of local folklore and community spirit. These fairs and festivals showcase everything from classical dance at ancient temples to tribal melas , offering travellers a truly immersive cultural experience.
Here’s our guide to key Gujarati festivals—when to go, what to see, and how to get there.
Makar Sankranti marks the Sun's shift from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere, a period known as Uttarayana in Hindu astrology. Each year on 14 January (Makar Sankranti), the skies above Ahmedabad explode in colour as thousands of kites—painted and shaped in every hue—fill the air.
This harvest festival, Uttarayan, is celebrated as the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, organised by the Gujarat Tourism. Rooftops across the city host friendly (and fiercely competitive) kite battles as participants from around India and the world flock here. The atmosphere is carnival-like, with street vendors selling kites, glass-coated string (“manja”), and festive snacks. The international Kite Festival happens in the second week of January every year.
Fly a kite: Join the fun by renting or buying a kite (and a spool of manja) from street stalls and competing in friendly sky battles.
Sample festive fare: Try traditional foods sold at the fair such as undhiyu (a spicy mixed-vegetable curry) and sweet jalebis.
Take in the spectacle: Early morning and late afternoon are best for photos, as daylight and sunset enhance the multicoloured kites against the blue sky. Local guides also hold kite-making workshops during festival week.
Ahmedabad is easily accessible by air, rail and road. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) is just 11 km from the city centre, with daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and other hubs. Ahmedabad Junction (ADI) is the main railway station, served by trains to all major Indian cities. By road, Ahmedabad lies at the crossroads of several national highways (NH 47, 48, 64 and 147), linking it by bus and car to cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur.
Throughout the State of Gujarat, and across India, Garba is celebrated for nine days during the festival of Navaratri. The festival is dedicated to the worship of the feminine energy or Shakti.UNESCO recognized Navratri's Garba dance as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023.
During Navratri, streets come alive with traditional Garba circles and Dandiya Raas dances: participants don vibrant ethnic attire and revolve around lit-up stages to live folk music. It’s a spectacular showcase of Gujarati zest – crowded, colourful and utterly infectious.
Join a Garba circle: Even if you’re a beginner, many events welcome outsiders. Watch locals in glittering cholis (for women) and kediyu (for men) whirl joyfully, then jump into a circle (most dance steps are easy to pick up).
Attend a large night fair: Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Riverfront and Vadodara’s Kamalam Grounds host massive Navratri melas with multiple dance arenas, food stalls and cultural shows. Enjoy folk music, fireworks and late-night street snacks (farsan).
Shop for festival finery: In the days before Navratri, markets brim with traditional embroidery, mirror-work cholis and bandhani (tie-dyed) sarees/dupattas – fun souvenirs. You’ll also see special food platters (jalebi, cham cham) prepared for the holidays.
Ahmedabad is easily accessible by air, rail and road. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) is just 11 km from the city centre, with daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and other hubs. Ahmedabad Junction (ADI) is the main railway station, served by trains to all major Indian cities. By road, Ahmedabad lies at the crossroads of several national highways (NH 47, 48, 64 and 147), linking it by bus and car to cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur.
Within Ahmedabad, local buses and ride-hailing cabs shuttle festival-goers to major Garba grounds. If you’re visiting smaller towns (Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, etc.), each has a nearby airport/railhead and bus service; for example, Vadodara has an airport (BDQ) and station on the Mumbai–Delhi rail route.
From November through February, the salt flats of Kutch become host to Rann Utsav, Gujarat’s dazzling desert festival. Held in Dhordo village (about 80 km north of Bhuj), Rann Utsav spans four months and literally transforms the moonlit white desert into a carnival ground.
Think canvas tent villages under the stars, folk music performances at night, tribal dances, camel safaris and local artisan bazaars – all against the stark beauty of the Great Rann (an endless white salt desert). Visitors explore nearby Bhujodi and Kutch villages daily for handicrafts; by night, they gather around bonfires to listen to raamvaani songs and watch Kathputli puppet shows. It’s an otherworldly experience – the desert “dons a festive avatar” when winter is at its peak.
Stay in a tent city: Book a traditional black-tent or luxury cottage at Dhordo. (Most visitors stay multiple nights to experience both full-moon and new-moon desert views.)
Camel or Jeep Safari: Take a sunrise/sunset camel ride or 4×4 trip onto the Rann itself. The twilight view of the white salt under the pink sky is unforgettable.
Cultural shows: Watch nightly folk dance and live music on a wooden stage. Many festivals highlight tribal ravanahatha music and Kutchi dances.
Shopping: Browse handicrafts in the “Crafts Bazaar” – known for Kutch embroidery, bandhani textiles, leather goods and eco-jewellery made by local artisans (many cooperative stalls set up during Rann Utsav).
The nearest major hub is Bhuj (approx. 80 km south): Bhuj Airport has limited domestic flights (typically connecting via Mumbai or Ahmedabad), and Bhuj Junction (BGN) is the railhead on the Ahmedabad–Kutch line. From Bhuj town or station, shared taxis and buses run to Dhordo.
The well-maintained highways connecting the road to Gujarat's urban centers is set out from Rajkot (229 km), Ahmedabad (323 km) and Gandhinagar (330 km) for a journey through Gujarat's diverse countryside. Just 5 km from the road is Bhuj railway station.
Alternatively, most travellers fly into Ahmedabad (AMD) and take an 8–9 hour train or road journey to Bhuj. By road, one can drive via NH 27 and NH 41 from Ahmedabad to Bhuj (about 350 km). From Bhuj, the road (well-maintained state highway) leads north through villages to Dhordo camp site.
Every year in late August or early September, the sleepy village of Tarnetar (near Thangadh, Saurashtra) bursts into life for a three-day tribal fair. The Tarnetar Fair is one of Gujarat’s most colourful melas, famed for its matchmaking folklore and elaborately embroidered umbrella pageantry. Legend ties the fair to Draupadi’s swayamvar in the Mahabharata – today, thousands of unmarried tribal youths gather seeking partners.
Men stand under intricately embroidered umbrellas (signals of eligibility), while women circle them dancing to rhythmic drumbeats. The fairgrounds host over 300 folk dance, music and handicraft stalls, selling everything from tribal jewellery to local snacks.
Witness the umbrella procession: Early morning processions see men in dhotis and pagris leading camels and horses, holding colourful umbrellas – a photographer’s delight.
Shop tribal crafts: Explore stalls offering hand-embroidered shawls, tribal silver jewellery, Rajasthani leather goods and Banni embroidery from Kutch.
Experience folk culture: Join in Garba dances in the evening enjoy live folk music, and try local treats like mango khaja and fariyapuri.
Tarnetar is rural but accessible. The nearest railhead is Surendranagar Junction (about 65 km away), well connected to Ahmedabad (3½ hrs) and Rajkot (2 hrs). From Surendranagar or Thangadh, local buses or taxis go to Tarnetar village. By road, Tarnetar lies on State Highway 15, about 80 km south of Rajkot (NH 27) and 100 km west of Ahmedabad (via Limbdi–Samadhiyala Road). The nearest airports are Rajkot (RAJ, ~70 km) and Ahmedabad (AMD, ~140 km).
Chotila, situated just 25 km from Thangadh, serves as your connection point to Gujarat's impressive road network. State Transport (ST) buses provide regular service from major cities including bustling Rajkot (75 km), coastal Jamnagar (162 km), metropolitan Ahmedabad (196 km), and picturesque Porbandar (252 km).
Held annually on Phagan Vad Trij (the fifth day after Holi), the Kavant Fair in Kavant village (about 114 km from Vadodara) is the gathering arena for a tribal group since time immemorial. It is a gathering of the Rathva community to extemporously recreate the joy of existence and life. Archery displays—honouring the Bhils’ reputation as skilled archers—take centre stage, while clay idols of horses and deities are offered at the village shrine in a bid to invoke divine blessings.
Witness tribal dances: Mid-morning performances feature choreographed dances in vibrant tribal attire, with peacock-feather fans and ox-necked ghughra ornaments accentuating every movement.
Observe archery demonstrations: Skilled Bhil archers display traditional marksmanship, offering a glimpse into the community’s martial heritage.
Participate in rituals: Join locals at the shrine outside the village as they place clay idols of horses and other deities, a centuries-old custom believed to please the gods.
Shop tribal crafts: Explore stalls offering bamboo-and-grass handicrafts, terracotta figures, tribal silver jewellery and embroidered textiles made by Bhil and Koli artisans
Vadodara Junction (BRC) is the nearest major railway station, approximately 114 km away, with direct trains from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Udaipur. Vadodara Airport (BDQ) likewise serves the region. From Vadodara, taxis and state-run buses connect to Chhota Udaipur; from there, shared jeeps or local buses cover the final 20 km to Kavant. By road, follow NH 47 to Chhota Udaipur, then turn onto SH 5 for the scenic forested approach to the village.
Held each spring (around Ram Navami, March/April), the Madhavpur Fair is a unique coastal mela celebrating the wedding of Lord Krishna and Rukmini. Set on the beachside of Madhavpur village, this four-day festival is a symbol of cultural unity between Gujarat and India’s Northeast. Evenings come alive with fireworks, Mishmi tribal dances and Garba under the stars. Craft stalls line the shore, offering bamboo art from Arunachal Pradesh and embroidered outfits from Gujarat. The atmosphere is both devotional and celebratory.
Cultural exchange: Watch open-air performances by Assamese, Manipuri and Gujarati troupes. See dhol and pepa alongside traditional dandiya.
Beach activities: Enjoy morning walks or dips along Madhavpur’s scenic beach. The festival area lies right by the Arabian Sea.
Explore nearby: Visit Porbandar (15 km away) to see Kirti Mandir, Sudama Temple and coastal shrines like Bileshwar.
Madhavpur’s excellent connectivity with smooth road access from Porbandar (58 km), Somnath (74 km), and Devbhoomi Dwarka (138.9 km). Train travelers can arrive at Porbandar Railway Station, located 58 km away with transfers taking approximately 53 minutes to Madhavpur. Those flying in will find Rajkot Airport as the nearest air connection, situated 189 km from Madhavpur with a road transfer of around 4 hours, offering regular flights to major Indian cities.
