Chitra-Vichitra Fair in Gujarat at Khed Brahma - Chitra-Vichitra Mela Festival Details

One of the purely tribal festival of Gujarat is Chitra Vichitra Mela, which is associated with the Bhil Tribes. This fair is held in a fortnight after Holi on the new moon day every year in the village Gujbhakhari in Poshina block of the Sabarkantha District of Gujarat. Main fascination of the fair is the magnificent temple overlooking the rivers Sabarmati, Akul and Vyakul.

The fair is attended by around 60000 to 70000 tribals of Bhils and Garasia communities residing in the neighbouring areas and tourists from across the country. The people comes to the fair are showcasing their culture through their costumes, ornaments, dances and music. Men usually wear a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or saffron turban. Women wear Ghaghara (embroidered skirts) and ornate silver jewellery.

Date: fortnight after Holi in eve of the new moon (March - April)

Venue:Gunbhakhari Village, Sabarkantha District, Khed Brahma Taluka, Gujarat.

Around the month of March-April, each year the Chitra Vichitra mela plays itself out within the limits of the village Gunbhakhari in the border area of the Sabarkantha district adjoining Rajasthan. The mythological story behind this fair goes back to Mahabharata times, when sons of King Shantanu named Chitravirya and Vichitravirya came to this triveni sangam to wash off their sins by immolated themselves here. So, the Chitra Vichitra fair is organised in their memory at a picturesque site called the Triveni Sangam by adivasi community.

Every group that comes to the fair carries its own drum making the atmosphere come alive with the beats.The dancing and drumming continue for hours andlots of stalls hold food and drink, and sweets of various kinds.Interesting fact about this fair is that the tribal men comes to the fair to meet prospective partners for marriage. Numerous couples have been known to elope directly from the fair site.