Chitra-Vichitra Fair , Gunbhakhari |
| This fair takes place in the village of Gunbhakhari in Sabarkantha district, very near the borders of Rajasthan. It is held a fortnight after the Holi festival. The fair site is attractive, as the temple which is its focus overlooks the rivers Sabarmati, Akul and Vyakul. It is one of the largest purely adivasis fairs of the border region and attracts large numbers of Bhils who come from all the surrounding districts using every imaginable form of transport. The name of the fair is derived from Chitravirya and Vichitravirya, the sons of King Shantanu, who are believed to have lived here and been cured of diseases which afflicted them. |
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The Garasia and Bhil adivasis dress in their coustomary colourful costumes. The men's costume generally consists of a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron fenta or turban. Women don ghagharas which have a circumference of as much as 20 yards, and are covered from head to foot with arnate and heavy silver jewellery, using liquid kumkum or vermilion to colour their cheeks and lips a brilleant red, while their eyes are outlined with Kajal. |
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| Every group visiting the fair carries its own drum, so that the atmosphere comes alive with the incessant beat of numerous drum, so that the atmosphere comes alive with the incessant beat of numerous drums. The women sing folk songs, and everyone dances. The dancing and the 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. |
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Excursions |
| Not far from here is Khedbrahma 30 km. where one may visit the temple of Brahma, one of the few in India. The nearest major town in Mehsana, 133 Km. while Ahmedabad too is within easy motorable distance. |
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Calendar of Events |
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| Year | 2002 |
| Month | Apr |
| Date | 11th |
