Tuesday, 06 October 2009 07:09

Chitra Vichitra Fair-Gujarat

About:

A visit to Tourism of Gujarat offers a rare opportunity to the tourist and the travelers with an interest in the culture and religion of Gujarat, India, to unravel the travel related and other important details about the famed and much sought after, Chitra Vichitra Tribal Fair, being celebrated in Gujarat, India. Chitra Vichitra Tribal Fair, is celebrated near Chote Udepur, located in Gujarat, India.

 

Some of these fairs are held to celebrate the harvests of the local countryside farms along with the active shows of gymnasts and other tribal performers to regale the participants and connoisseurs in the Chitra Vichitra Tribal fair, being held in Gujarat, India.The festival begins on the eve of the new moon when the women gather at the river and mourn for their dead through the night. The next day the fair sets off with a generous splashing of dazzling colors and drumming.

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.

Every group visiting the fair carries its own drum, so that the atmosphere comes alive with a nonstop beat of drumming. The women sing folk songs in shrill choruses, and everyone dances near the main temple. Over a hundred stalls hold food and drink, and sweets of various kinds. Silver ornaments and household items are out for sale. There is also a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. The dancing and drumming continue for hours until everyone is left exhausted.

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 name of the fair is derived from two brothers Chitravirya and Vichitravirya, sons of King Shantanu, and step brothers of Bhishma, from the story of the Mahabharata. There is a belief that they had settled here and were cured of their diseases by the waters of this site.

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:
Children enjoy themselves in the giant wheel and the merry-go-round. The fair is also popular as a betrothal ground for the young tribal boys and girls. Young men and women attend this fair to find a suitable match for themselves. They even elope with each other to the forest adjacent to the river. After some days, they return to their community to

penance:
In order to practice penance, they immolated themselves here. Since then the Chitra- Vichitra fair is organized here in the memory of the two princes. The tribal population celebrates the fair every year, on the confluence of the rivers Sabarmati, Aakar and Vakar. It commences on the eve of no moon day just after Holi. On this night, the tribal people gather on the banks of the river and mourn for their departed dear ones. They also sing sorrowful songs, offer sacrifices and finally bathe in the river.

Merrimrnt:
The dancing and 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.

Mobile range info:

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:
It is a historical based town located at the southern parts fo Arvalli ranges and a natural beauty of protected hill fort is here, once it was the capital of the Idar when Rathore Rajputs ruled. The ancient fort namely Iiva Durga is known to be mentioned in the epic of ‘Mahabharata’ and in the Chinese travelogue-named Hiusen-tsing. The town has its beautiful entrance of its 3 storied clock town and the huge arch in it with a semi circular dome invites people amazingly to the core of excitement over those days architectural charm. The bazaar of this town is at both the ends of the road and leads to the tower and ends up at the foothills of Idar fort. The old palace od beauty and charm is still alive even when the days pass by its carved balconies of artistic work, pillars, brackets, and foliated arches are at vicinity and challenging. Rani Talav, a huge water tank is also seen near the palace.

Gadada Shamlaji:
Located near the Dharoi Dam, a lovely landscape of hills and nature fills in here, which give a great relax from the hurry busy world. The temple of Lord Vishnu is devoted here.

Dharoi Dam:
The main water source for drinking purpose is provided from here to Ahemdabad, which is about 85 kms of distance. This unique dam of living waters was constructed in 1973 on the source of Sabarmati River. Gadada Shamlaji is the nearby touring spot.

Dhantiwada:
This is a spot of water reservoir on the gatherings of River Banas. The cool, clear waters create an enchanting location for relaxing. Nearby, you have an agriculture university. The nature and picturesque spot pulls in birds and bird watchers from various places during the winter seasons.

Vaktapur Teerth:
Vaktapur Teerth , a famous Jain temple located here is the main tourist attraction. Apart from this Shamlaji, Akshardham temple, Shri Mehsana Teerth, Hathee Singh Jain temple, Kanjariya Lake, Bhadra fort and Teen Darwaza and Calico Museum are the other attractions filled with enlightening experiences.

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

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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