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Culture & Festival

Bhanguriyu

Month | March
Location | Kawant-Chhotaudepur, Vadodara
Description | Celebrated by the Rathwa tribe before the onset of Holi. It is largely a musical event, with men and women dressed colourfully and dancing with musical instruments in the village market areas.

Gher no Melo

Month | March
Location | Kawant-Chhotaudepur, and Rumadiya, Vadodara
Description | Celebrated by the Rathwa tribe on the second day after Holi. Members of the tribe gather in large numbers, and the festival is among the most colourful.

Chool no Melo

Month | March
Location | Kawant-Chhotaudepur, Vadodara
Description | Celebrated by the Rathwas on the third day after Holi. It is a gripping and interesting festival where members walk on fire.

Golgadheda no Melo

Month | March
Location | Dahod, Dahod
Description | An exciting courtship event for young men and women of the Bhil tribe.

Golghodi no Melo

Month | March
Location | Vanskui/Mahuva, Surat
Description | Members of Halpati, Kukna and Gamit tribes come together at the weekly market to buy terracotta objects of worship.

Chitra Vichitra no Melo

Month | March, a fortnight after Holi
Location | Gunbhakhari, Sabarkantha
Description | One of the largest tribal fairs in the State, celebrated by Bhil and Garasia tribes. At the centre-stage is a magnificent temple that overlooks the rivers Sabramati, Akul and Vyakul. The fair is an event for ancestral worship, and is marked by colourful attire, heavy jewelry and rhythmic drum beats.

Akhatrij no Melo

Month | March
Location | Ambaji, Banaskantha
Description | Celebrated by Bhil Garasias. The women dance with grass baskets on their heads as the men accompany them with drums.

Kaliya Bhoot no Melo

Month | March
Location | Ambaji, Banaskantha
Description | A dance festival of witchcraft celebrated by Bhil Garasias. Hand-made terracotta sculptures are worshipped amid dancing and drumbeats.

Dangs Darbar

Month | March, a few days before Holi
Location | Ahwa, Dangs
Description | Originated during the British period where an assembly (darbar) of the kings and emperors of neighbouring areas used to be organized. Today, the festival continues to be celebrated with zeal and the District Collector presides over the event. A large number of tribals gather from different parts of the district for the celebrations.

Dushera no Melo

Month | October
Location | Chhotaudepur, Vadodara
Description | Celebrated by the Rathwa tribe where members adorned in colourful ornaments and clothes dance in groups.

Nagdhara no Melo

Month | November
Location | Shamlaji, Sabarkantha
Description | A congregation of Bhil Garasias of Gujarat and other tribes from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh come together for worship.

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Last update May 17 2025

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