Chitra Vichitra Fair
Tuesday, 06 October 2009 07:09
Chitra Vichitra Fair-Gujarat |
About: |
|
The Chitra Vichitra Fair is one of the largest tribal fairs in Gujarat, India, celebrated annually at the confluence of three rivers: Sabarmati, Wakal, and Vakar. It is a significant cultural and religious event for the tribal communities, primarily the Bhil and Garasia tribes. The fair is known for its vibrant display of tribal traditions, colorful costumes, folk music, dance, and rituals, providing a unique insight into Gujarat's tribal heritage.  The tribal men’s costume generally consists of a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron fenta or turban. The woman don ghagharas which have a circumference of as much as 20 yards, and are covered from head to feet with ornate and heavy silver jewellery, and sometime also beautifully knitted rafia jewellery made from pale yellow or dyed crimson grass. They also use liquid kumkum or vermilion to color their cheeks and lips a brilliant red, while their eyes are outlined vibrantly with kajal. |
Location Info: |
| Address:Shamlaji Fair,Sabarkatha,Gujarat,India |
| District: Sabarkantha |
| Nearest City:Modasa |
| Best time to visit: Chitra vichitra Fair is held on the 'purnima' (full moon) of the month of 'Kartik' according to the local calendar, which falls in November. |
Climate/Weather: |
| The land relief in Gujarat is low in most parts of the state, resulting in a great diversity in the climate of Gujarat India. Gujarat experiences mild, pleasant and dry winters, with average daytime temperatures ranging around 83 °F(29 °C) and night temperatures around 53 °F(12 °C). The summers are very hot and dry, with day temperatures rising up to around 105 °F(41 °C) and night temperatures dropping to 85 °F(29 °C). |
History: |
| The Chitra Vichitra Fair has ancient roots and is believed to have been celebrated for hundreds of years. According to local legends, the fair is named after Chitravirya and Vichitravirya, the sons of King Shantanu from the Mahabharata, who are said to have meditated at this confluence. Tribal communities gather here to pay homage to their ancestors, and it is considered a mourning period for those who have lost a family member in the past year. |
Importance of festival: |
| Chitra Vichitra Fair is a hit event among the tribal of Gujarat. Tribal
women gather at the river to mourn their dear departed ones. Countless
tribal dressed in beautiful traditional costumes attends the fair. Men wear
blue shirt, dhoti and red or saffron turban and the women wearing ghagharas
(skirts) are covered from head to toe with exquisite silver jewelry. Every
group visiting the fair carries its own drum and puts up lively dance
performances. The whole atmosphere comes alive with the incessant beat of
countless drums.
The Chitra Vichitra fair is a colorful celebration of the tribal culture & costumes of the Bhils. Tribal use this occasion to find their spouses. Numerous stalls in the fair display the best of rural handicraft including exquisite silver jewelry. In addition to this, breathtaking performances by the skilled jugglers add to the attraction of the fair. A visit to this fair is sure to give you a close look at the rural lifestyle of Gujarat.  |
Method of Celebration: |
| wearcloth: On the other hand, men wear a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron turban on head. In contrast to this, the Bhils, though well dressed, are less ornately jeweled. On an average, around 60,000 to 70,000 tribals participate in this fair. Men beat drums which are accompanied by folk songs sung by the women. It is followed by dancing in merriment, till everyone is exhausted. After this, the stalls selling food, refreshment, drinks and sweets are surrounded by the mob of people. One can buy various household items and silver jewelry from here.
Merry-go-round: |
Mobile range info: |
| Mobile network coverage in the area is available but may be patchy or weak due to the rural and hilly terrain. |
How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Modasa raiway station |
| Nearest Airport:Ahmedabad airport |
| Road Transport:It is 80 kms from Ahmedabad and 32 kms from Himatnagar.,Polo Forest, Idar. Kesariaji, a Jain shrine in Rajasthan about 30 kms away from the border of Gujarat. Modasa – 29 kms |
Culture of festivities: |
| Held in the month of March, Chitra Vichitra fair is named after the sons of
king Shantanu, Chitravirya and Vichitravirya and is an important festival of
Gujarat. Celebrated after the Holi festival, Chitra Vichitra Fair is
attended by large number of locals and tourists from across the country.
Indian Holiday offers to give you online information on Chitra Vichitra Fair
in Gujarat, India.Largest tribal fair, Chitra Vichitra is celebrated in the
village of Gunbhakhari in Sabarkanta district of Gujarat and is visited by
large number of Bhils and Garasia tribes residing in the neighboring areas.
|
Nearest Visiting places: |
| Khedbrahma: This spot is renowned as the Hindu temple region and Brahma temples of India are also mingled here. Khedbrahma teerth dedicated to Bhagwan mahavir Swami is the main attraction and devotional pull to the multitude. The temple of Chaturmukh(the four headed God) is also famous spot of spiritual visit here. Idar: |
Nearest Petrol Pump: |
| IBP Petrol Pump:Gandhinagar,Gujarat,India
Relince pump:modasa,sabarkatha,Gujarat,India |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
| Stay-inn hotel & resort:opp modasa college
,sabarkatha,Gujarat,India,ph:09428555331
Max Industries:Plot No. 27/28, G.I.D.C.Modasa Road,Kapadvanj,Gujarat,India,ph:02691 263436 |
Help Line/Phone Number: |
| Police Station:100 |
| Nearest Hospital: Sarvajanik Hospital:Nr. Nandanvan society,Kumbharvada,Modasa,Sabarkantha,Gujarat,India,ph:02774 247468 Navjivan urosurgical hospital:Malpur Road,Opp.Govt.Guest,House,Modasa,Sabarkantha,Gujarat,India,ph:02774 247502
|
| Society/Community Phone Number: |
| Link:www.gujrattour.com |
Photo Gallery
Video
Dynamic View
|
|
| Dharoi Dam |
| Located at Dharoi in Sabarkantha District, the Dharoi Dam was built for supplying drinking water to urban areas such as Ahmedabad that is located 85 km away. Dharoi Dam was constructed across the Sabarmati River in 1973. The dam is also one of the tourist spots in the state, with Gadada Shamlaji another nearby tourist attraction. Dharoi Dam can be reached from Poshina, which is located about 45 km away.According to officials, water was released from the Dharoi dam last in 1993 and now again after over 12 years, on Saturday.In 1993, all the doors of the dam were opened and nearly 3.15 lakh cusecs water was released in the river On Saturday, because of the inflow of nearly 2,17 lakh cusecs in the dam, the authorities opened 10 gates and released 55,940 cusecs of water....more |
| Shamlaji Fair |
| Shamlaji Fair of Gujarat is known as the Kartik Purnima Fair. The fair is celebrated by all the castes and communities of Gujarat they are Garasias and Bhils who actively take part in the event. The celebration and the fair lasts for two weeks. The tribes mainly celebrate the fair where different stalls of local handicrafts and art and artifacts gives the tourists the opportunity to buy the local products that bear the significance of the place. The main festival is referred as the worship of the black deity named Kalio Bavji.Shamlaji Fair, Gujarat is one of the main fairs in Gujarat. The fairs of Gujarat are quite exceptional; the fairs and the festivals that come about in the state are the true examples of India rich heritage. The Shamlaji Fair or the Kartik Purnima Fair is one of the main events in Gujarat where all the tribes take part to make it a grand one. .....more |