This document provides information about festivals celebrated in Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, India. It discusses the Uttarayan, Janmashtmi and Navratri festivals in Gujarat, including when they are celebrated and what activities are involved. It also outlines the Bastar Dussehra, Bhoramdeo Mahotsav festival and Rajim Kumbh Mela celebrations in Chhattisgarh, providing details about dates and cultural events for each one.

1. Festivals of
Gujarat and
Chhattisgarh
ART INTEGRATED ACTIVITY 2021-22
English Language and Literature
22-12-2021

2. GUJARAT
Table of contents :
• Uttarayan
• Janmashtmi
• Navratri

3. UTTARAYAN
Uttarayan is one of the main festivals in Gujarat that marks the beginning of the harvest
season and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal. People stock up their houses with
kites and charkharis days before the festival. And not just Gujaratis or Indians, people fly from
far-off regions like Canada and USA to have their share of fun in one of the most colorful
festivals in Gujarat.
Where: The main event is celebrated in Ahmedabad, but as it is the harvest festival of
Gujarat it is celebrated in across the state.
What to expect: Kite flying competition between locals and even international participants,
numerous colorful kites in different shapes and sizes (lighted kites, sports kites, hand-painted
kites, 500 kites in a string), delicious Gujarati food items like Undhiyu.
When is International Kite Festival Celebrated: The event takes place on 14th January
every year (Makar Sankranti)
Kite Festival in Gujarat : 14th January

4. JANMASHTMI
Another one of most-awaited festivals celebrated in Gujarat, Lord Krishna’s birthday is
celebrated with unmatchable zeal and devotion in Dwarka, Gujarat. People celebrate the birth of
Lord Krishna at midnight, placing an idol in the cradle and worshipping him. A thread tied with
the cradle is gently pulled to make it swing. Lord Krishna is offered his
favorite makkhan (butter) and mishri (rock sugar). Dahi handi breaking is also an exciting
activity that takes place as a part of the celebration.
Where: Dwarka, along with many places in the state
What to expect: Dahi handi breaking, Krishna birth at midnight, music and dance, Krishna
mantra chanting and prayers
When is Janmashtami celebrated: Janmashtami is celebrated in the month of August
Janmashtami date: 30th August

5. NAVRATRI
Out of all the festival of Gujarat, Navratri is one of the most popular. We can’t deny we think
of Dandiya, Garba and Falguni Pathak when we think of Gujarat Navratri festival! This is among
the most vibrant festivals in Gujarat and other parts of India. During this 10-day celebration,
locals perform a Durga pooja, and enjoy with music, Garba, and dandiya.
Where: Navratri is a traditional festival of Gujarat. You will come across the celebration in
every nook and corner of the state.
What to expect: A lively celebration that exhibits the colorful culture of Gujarat through
acoustic music and dance. This is your chance to dress in ethnic Gujarati costume. Ready to
wear that typical Ghagro na choli?
When is Navratri celebrated: This festival falls in the month of October every year
Navratri date: 17th October – 26th October

6. CHATTISGARH
Table of contents :
• Bastar Dussehra
• Bhoramdeo Mahotsav festival
• Rajim Kumbh Mela

7. BASTAR DUSSEHRA
Celebrated by the local people of the state with extreme vigor, the Bastar Dussehra festival is
one of the most popular festivals of Chhattisgarh. It is said that the celebration for this festival
in Chhattisgarh was initiated for the very first time by Maharaja Purushottam Deo in the early
15th century. While Dussehra is a significant festival celebrated throughout the country but the
Bastar Dussehra witnesses an entirely different kind of celebrations. A festival connoting to the
supreme power of the Goddess Danteswari, during the course of this festival the inhabitants of
Bastar organize many special worship ceremonies at the famous Danteswari temple in
Jagdalpur. Moreover, during this festival, the reputed Raj family of Bastar even arrange worship
sessions in which the ancient arms of the Goddess Danteswari are treated as divine elements
.
Description of Celebrations: This is a ten days long festival in Chhattisgarh with the Kunwar
Amavasya as the first day of Dussehra. One of the prominent traits of the Bastar Dussehra
festival is that during this festival the control of the state is formally transferred to the Diwan
in the presence of important personalities like Zamindar. A girl who is believed to have
possessed the spiritual powers is first asked for permission before transferring the control. The
second day of Dussehra is followed by a series of holy aarti and sacred salami. On the ninth
day of the festival, the Raja of Bastar welcomes the divine goddess. A huge darbar for people
to present their requests, as well as a big aarti ceremony are organized on the tenth and the
last day of the festival.

8. BHORAMDEO MAHOTSAV
The festivals of Chhattisgarh are celebrated with a great deal of fanfare and the Bhoramdeo
Mahotsav festival is no exception. Attracting people from not only through the country but also
from across the world with its unique attractions, this is undoubtedly one of the most popular
festivals celebrated in Chhattisgarh. The main celebration for this festival takes place within
the premises of the well – known Bhoramdeo Temples which are located at a distance of about
135 km from the main city of Raipur. This temple believed to have been constructed by the
famous king Ramachandra of the Nag dynasty who married Princess Ambika of the Haiya
dynasty and is considered to be one of the top tourist attractions of Chhattisgarh. Reflecting
the great architectural brilliance of the bygone era, this temple proves to be of great
importance to the archaeologists as well as historians.
Description of Celebrations: During the time of the Bhoramdeo Mahotsav, the
magnificent temple complex bustles with a plethora of festivities and is a treat
for the eyes. People dress in vibrant and colorful costumes to take part in the
activities organised at the temple. Rightfully titled as the Khajuraho of
Chhattisgarh, this temple is surely a sight to admire during the Bhoramdeo
Mahotsav Festival. If you wish to be a part of this impressively popular
festival of Chhattisgarh, then it is celebrated in the last week of the month of
March every year, so plan your travel accordingly.

9. RAJIM KUMBH MELA
This is considered as one of the holiest and most popular festivals of
Chhattisgarh that comprises of a huge gathering of pilgrims and devotees from
all over the world. Though the Kumbh Mela of four locations is mostly well –
known but this fifth Kumbh Mela is organised at Rajim in Chhattisgarh and is a
popular gathering of Vaishnavites who are the followers of Lord Vishnu, a prime
Hindu God. Rajimalochana temple located in Rajim, near the convergence of
Mahanadi, Pairi and Sonder rivers, serves as the venue for the Rajim Kumbh Mela.
In recent years, the Ministry of Tourism in Chhattisgarh have actually put in a
lot of efforts to host the Rajim Kumbh Mela at an even grander and impressive
scale. The festival witnesses the presence of many significant religious
preachers and saints from various nooks and corners of India.
Description of Celebrations: This festival of Chhattisgar hlasts for a period of
15 days and begins on the day of Magh Purnima. With a diverse range of saints,
devotees and people gathered together for participating in divine festivities,
this huge mela is a mesmerizing sight. On the first day of the festival to mark
the beginning of the Mela, special pujas are performed. Some other festivities
include visiting the Kuleshwar Mahadev and Shri Rajiv Lochan temples, taking a
holy bath in Triveni Sangam, cultural programs, performances by many talented

10. Thank You!!