Fairs and festivals are essential parts of Gujarati culture. All important Indian festivals are held in Ahmedabad with great enthusiasm. The city is known for its diversified culture and celebration of various festivals throughout the year. Uttarayan is a kite flying festival celebrated on January 14 every year. The nine nights of Navaratri are celebrated in a traditional manner with people performing at selected venues. The festive season in Ahmedabad is characterized by joyous environment, colourful dresses, devotion and love for the deities; this is what signifies the charm of festivity among the people of Ahmedabad.

Kite Festivals (Uttarayan): The International Kite Festival is held every year in Ahmedabad on January 14, to coincide with the festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. People celebrate Uttarayan with a lot of enthusiasm and all business comes to a grinding halt for a couple of days. It is also a celebration to mark the end of winter. Kite flying starts at dawn and continues without a break throughout the day. A variety of colourful kites are seen flying in the clear skies and great excitement does not end till evening. Participants from different parts of the country and even from abroad bring unusual kites which are truly works of art and creativity.

Navratri: Navratri or the festival of nine nights is devoted to Goddess Shakti. The festival also has the famous folk dance of Gujarat “Garba”. The festival continues for nine nights, everybody takes part into it with same emphasis.

Each night starts with ceremonial “Aarti” and is followed by Garba till late mid-night. The Garba dance is carried out around the statue of Goddess Shakti. Garba is also played with Dandiyas in hand. During these nights, city is been beautifuly decorated and nights become short.

Kutch Mahotsava: The Mahotsava (festival) is organized by Gujarat’s tourism authorities and held every year in the month of February. The festival features folk dancing, music, ballads, poetry, jewellery and regional handicrafts. The fair coincides with the Dhrang Mela, a Shivratri fair at a nearby temple which features acrobatics, camel and bullock cart races, bazaars and cultural programmes.

Modhera Dance Festival: Sun Temple Modhera, Gujarat The sun temple at Modhera in Mehsana district is dedicated to Lord Surya, the sun god, has its outer walls covered with sculptures in which the figures of Lord Surya are prominent. The beautiful Sun Temple acts as the backdrop during the festival of Indian classical dances held every year in January for three days. The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat organizes this annual festival of dance. The idea is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in.

The Sun Temple is the site of an annual festival of Indian classical dances organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. The festival is held every year in January for three days. The idea is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in.

Resting on a knoll in the village of Modhera, the ruins of the 11th century Sun Temple are an impressive sight. The outer walls of the temple are covered with sculptures in which the figures of Lord Surya, the sun god are prominent.

Deepavali:Deepavali India is a melting pot of races and religions. Every religion has its own unique style of celebration. But Diwali (Deepawali), the Festival of Light, is celebrated with fervor and gaiety among all races and religions. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity. The celebration of this five-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and ends on Kartika Shudda Vijiya.

Hindus all over the world celebrate Deepawali with great enthusiasm. This is a major Hindu festival honouring Mother Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth. Diwali is a holy tradition, not to be put in the shade. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness; darkness refers to ignorance and light refers to knowledge. Celebrated joyously all over India, it is a festival of wealth and prosperity.

Deepavali is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho) in (Oct/ Nov) every year.

Holi: Amongst India’s innumerable festivals, Holi ranks as the most colourful. It celebrates the arrival of spring and death of demoness Holika; it is a celebration of joy and hope. Holi provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people from all walks of life enjoy themselves. In a tight knit community, it also provides a good excuse for letting off some steam and settling old scores, without causing physical injury.

Holi continues to be celebrated with great vigour through out India. Countless Hindi films have brought the vibrant colours of the festival to the screen. Indians all over the world eagerly await the Festival of Colours, as bonfires are lit to banish the cold dark nights of winter and usher in warmer spring. Dhuleti, day after Holi, is the actual festival of colours, when everything in sight is covered in a riot of colours.

The festival of Holi begins on Duwadashi - on the twelfth day of the waxing moon of the month of Phalgun. Spirits run high as the preparations for the festivities begin. As a custom, mothers stitch new clothes for their married daughters. Coloured powder (Gulal) is bought and long syringes called ‘pichkaris’ and balloons are made ready with water. Special food items are also prepared for the festival.

Rath Yatra: In the month of June or July, a massive procession chbegins from the Jagannath temple in Ahmedabad. A chariot carrying idols of Lord Krishna, Balram and Subhadra leaves the temple amid chanting of sacred Vedic hymns.