Tuesday, 06 October 2009 07:17

Sarkhej Fair-Gujarat

About:

The Sarkhej Fair is an annual cultural and religious event held at the Sarkhej Roza, a famous Islamic architectural complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This fair attracts thousands of devotees, tourists, and locals who come to participate in religious activities, shop from numerous stalls, and experience the vibrant cultural atmosphere. The fair celebrates the life and teachings of the Sufi saint Shaikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh, whose tomb lies within the Sarkhej Roza complex.



Tourism of Gujarat, takes a tourist on an odyssey across the confines of Gujarat, situated in India with the Sarkhej fair, being one of the most popular and the most significant Muslim fair in the region. Sarkhej Fair, is held in the southern outskirts of the city of Ahmedabad, located in Gujarat, India. Sarkhej fair, is also known as the Shah Ahmed Khaltu Fair after the name of Shah Ahmed Khaltu Gunj Baksh and the Sarkhej fair is held in near vicinity to the Mausoleum of Shah Ahmed Khaltu Gunj Baksh. Tourism of Gujarat, provides the interested tourist with information that the number of guests and visitors coming up to this annual regalia of Muslims in Gujarat, India, is around an impressive figure of 25,000 people to 30,000 people.

Time(indian calendar Tithi):

Location: Sarkhej Roza, Makarba, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
District:Ahmedabad
Nearest City: Ahmedabad
Best time to visit: October to March

Climate/Weather:

Summer (March to June): Hot, with temperatures ranging from 30°C to 42°C. Monsoon (July to September): Experiences moderate to heavy rainfall, and the temperatures range from 25°C to 35°C. Winter (October to February): Pleasant and cool, with temperatures between 15°C to 28°C. The fair typically takes place during winter, making it an ideal time to visit.

History:

The Sarkhej Roza complex, constructed in the 15th century by Sultan Muhammad Shah, is a prime example of Indo-Islamic architecture. It was completed during the reign of Sultan Mahmud Begada, who expanded the complex to its current grandeur. The fair is held in honor of Shaikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh, a revered Sufi saint and spiritual guide to Sultan Ahmed Shah, the founder of Ahmedabad. The saint’s tomb is a significant pilgrimage site for devotees, and the annual fair celebrates his teachings and legacy.

Importance of festival:

The Sarkhej Fair, the most important Muslim fair, is held at Sarkhej on the southern outskirts of Ahmedabad in Gujarat.It is the most important Muslim fair.It is also known as the Shah Ahmed Khaltu Fair, It is held at Sarkhej on the southern outskirts of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Among the 175 fairs held in Gujarat ,this fair is of most significance for the Muslims. It is held in the vicinity of the mausoleum of Shah Ahmed Khaltu Gunj Baksh, a saint.People from various places attend this fair .Approximately 25000 to 30000 people attend this fair.

 

Method of Celebration:

Devotees from various parts of Gujarat and neighboring states gather at Sarkhej Roza to pay homage to Shaikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh. The main tomb becomes a focal point of prayers and religious offerings.

Mobile range info:

Mobile connectivity is generally good in and around the Sarkhej Roza complex, with coverage from all major service providers.

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:Ahmedabad is linked by rail to Delhi, Bombay, Jaipur, Udaipur, Calcutta, Madras, other major centres of India, and several other tourist centres.
Nearest Airport:Ahmedabad airport ,International and various domestic airlines connecting Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Calcutta, Bangalore and other major centres of India.
Road Transport:State Transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centres of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan. It is 555kms from Bombay, 1076 kms from Delhi via Udaipur and Jaipur.

Culture of festivities:

Melas or Fairs are extremely popular not just in India but all over the world. Mela serves a very important role as most of the festivals are celebrated in individual homes. Melas that are normally celebrated for a week to over a month help to bring the community together and share greetings. For community residing outside India, Mela is a means to bond with cultural roots and acquaint children to the rich Indian culture and heritage.

 

The Fairs in India celebrated showcase the resplendence of its arts and crafts tradition. Whereas the Crafts Mela celebrates the finest handlooms and handicrafts traditions of country, the Kartik Cultural Festival was planned with the express view of promoting fort ambience, martial arts and the rich repertoire of both classical Indian music and dance, matching it with an equally rich variety of folk theatre. The festival had given new life to dying folk arts, martial arts and worked to bring traditional folk dances and music to the national stage.



Nearest Visiting places:

Jama Masjid (10 km):
A magnificent mosque located in the heart of Ahmedabad, known for its Indo-Islamic architecture

Siddi Saiyyed Mosque (8 km):
 Famous for its intricate stone latticework, especially the "Tree of Life" window.

Rani Sipri’s:
Rani Sipris’s Mosque Ahmedabad, along with Rani Rupmati’s Mosque is in a league of its own. Rani Sipri’s Mosque Ahmedabad in India with its exquisite architecture and interesting history, is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ahmedabad besides being one of the prominent and well revered pilgrimages among the local Muslims. Thus, the mosque is one of the important holy places in Ahmedabad.Rani Sipri was one of the Hindu queens of the king of Ahmedabad. The Rani Sipri’s Mosque was commissioned by Rani Sipri of Ahmedabad and speaks volumes of the inter-religious marriage trend that became quite popular among the Indian royalty, to facilitate political alliance. The mosque is believed to have been built in 1514 AD by Rani Sipri, wife of Mehmud Begada who executed their son for a misdemeanor. The Mughal sultanate had under its rule a number of smaller local sultanates ruled by Muslim rulers.

Sidi Sayiad’s:
The Sidi Saiyyed mosque Ahmedabad, built in 1573, is one of the most famous mosques of Ahmedabad. Known for its intricate jails, the Sidi Sayiad’s Mosque Ahmedabad In India, makes a travel to Ahmedabad a worthwhile endeavor. The Sidi Saiyad Mosque is also one of the holy places in Ahmedabad.The Sidi Sayiad’s Mosque was built in 1573 by Sidi Saiyyed, a slave of Sultan Ahmed Shah. The mosque was built in the last year of the Sultanate of Gujarat and is now one of the most famous monuments in Ahmedabad.The mosque is entirely arched and has ten screen windows (jalis) on the side and rear arches.

Nearest Petrol pump:

There are several petrol pumps available along the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway and near the Sarkhej Roza complex.  

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Hotel Vice President:C G Rd,Navrangpura,Ahmadabad,Gujarat,pH:079 26575005

Janpath Hotel:Sarkhej,Ahmedabad,Gujarat,India,ph:079 26823666

 

Hotel Milan:Gnr Road,Srkhej Chowki,Ahmedabad,Gujarat,India,Ph:079 26891799

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:
Shilp HospitalA:2nd Floor, Samir Complex,Nr Pocice Station, Sarkhej,Ahmedabad,Gujarat,India,Ph:079 26825006
Gurukrupa Hospital:Santoshinagar,Near Bharati Asharam,Sarkhej-Dholaka Road,Ahmedabad,Gujarat,IndiaPh:079 26820559
Society/Community Phone Number:
Link:www.tourismofgujarat.com

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Tribal Museum
....more