International Kite Festival
Kite Festival is a famous festival of Ahmedabad. It is celebrated on Makar Sankranti or January 14. The highlight of the festival is the kite flying competition which goes on till late in the evening. The festivities have now gained momentum as it has now become the International Kite Festival. The Gujarat State Tourism Corporation organizes the International Kite Festival every year and the venue of the event is usually either Sardar Patel Stadium or Police Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Kite Flying in India is not a mere sport or time pass, it is a tradition. Initially on Makar Sankranti, people of all ages would go out into the open and try their luck at flying kites made of kite paper. 'Patang ' is what kites are called in the local dialect. Kite flying has come a long way since, now, there are motorized, even fibre glass kites available.

The preparations for the Kite Festival starts a few days in advance. Participants ranging from international kite fliers to local enthusiasts prepare special kites and strings for this annual event. The event begins at dawn and continues non-stop. Friends, neighbours and even total strangers vie with each other to gain supremacy by cutting each other's kite strings. Special mixture of glue and ground glass are used to cover the lines which are then rolled into reers known as firkees. Illuminated box kites, many of them strung on one line and known as tukkals is launched into the sky at night. These add splendour to the pitch dark skies.

Falvour is added to Kite flying on this day as special foods and delicacies are prepared to celebrate this occasion. People visit temples and distribute alms. Read more...

Navratri
Navratri is the festival dedicated to Goddess Amba. It is celebrated for nine nights starting on the first night of Ashwina. The 8th day is called Vijayashtami and 9th day is Mahanavami. Dussehra marks the tenth day of Ashwina. Garba and Dandia ras a popular form of folk dance in Gujarat are an inseparable feature of Navratri.

Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is similar to the Rath Yatra of Jagannath Puri in Orissa. The Rath Yatra is marked by a procession of chariots carrying the idols of Lord Krishna, Balram and Subhadra. It is celebrated on the auspicious day of Ashadh Sud 2, in early July. The procession starts in the morning from Jagdish Mandir situated in the Jamalpur area of Ahmedabad city. The Mahant (head priest) of the Jagananth Temple heads the procession in Ahmedabad. There are three separate chariots carrying the idols of Lord Krishna, Balram and Subhadra. The chariots are adorned with flowers and garlands and taken around the city amidst much pomp, show and gaiety. Hymns are sung in God's praise. The decorated elephants, gymnasts, acrobats, sadhus and devotees from all walks of life accompany the procession. Music bands and bhajan mandalis add musical fare to the procession. Rath yatra is a day of public celebrations and shops and houses are embellished with beautiful flowers, bright lights and colourful rangoli and most of the households prepare their own special dishes on this day.

Saptak Music Festival
Saptak Music Festival is an annual musical festival held in Ahmedabad. It is organized by the Saptak School of Music, Ahmedabad. It starts on the 1st of January every year and participants include leading vocalists and instrumentalists. Read more...