One of the biggest festivals in Gujarat, people plan for it months in advance. Held on 14 January every year, this festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of summer when the sun is out and it's time for harvest. Begun in 1989, Ahmedabad hosts the International Kite Festival at the Sardar Patel Stadium, as a part of official celebrations in the state. This festival attracts thousands, including master kite makers from Malaysia bringing in their wau-balang kites, Indonesians bringing the llayang-llayanghave, sharing the sky with USA’s giant banner kites, Chinese flying dragons, Japanese rokkaku fighting kites, Italian sculptural kites, and the state-of-the-art high-tech modern wonders. The sky full of box kites, high-speed sport kites -from windsocks and spin-socks to hand-painted inventive kites, is mesmerising to watch.

If you want to experience white salt deserts, folk music and traditional dance then make sure you plan a visit to the Rann of Kutch - the site of the fantastic Rann Utsav. This two-month festival attracts thousands from around the world. The festival is when you'll find the tent city that mushrooms in Dhordo, just before the festival starts in November. Located in a large salt marsh inside the Thar Desert, Rann Utsav is a must-visit. From authentic bazaars selling handcrafted items to experiencing the white sand on a moonlit night, the festival shows off the best of the area's culture. Enjoy Gujarat’s folk scene and get a taste of delicious local food while you take in folk dances like Tippani, Garba and Hallisaka.

There are plenty of festivals in Gujarat; however, the fervour for the Hindu festival Navratri is unlike any other. Celebrated across the country in September or October every year, this nine-day dance fest honours Goddess Shakti’s triumph over evil after a battle of nine days. They venerate an avatar of the Goddess each day before the dance begins whether it is Garba, Dandiya or a little of both. You will find locals in Gujarat getting ready for Navratri days in advance. Be ready to enjoy the festival to the fullest, try dancing, take part in competitions, browse the flea markets and exhibitions. Don’t forget to taste delicious food and snacks. One of the best places to enjoy Navratri in Gujarat is Vadodara. Other cities like Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar are worth a visit too.

Held on Kartik Poornima based on the Hindu Calendar, devoted to both Lord Shiva and Vishnu, this festival often falls in November. Gujaratis call it the Shamlaji Melo and it's celebrated on the banks of the River Meshwo near the well-known Shamlaji temple. This three-week-long fair attracts thousands from around the world. Many arrive on foot or riding camel-led carts while singing praises of the Gods. Devotees bathe in the holy waters of the river, seek blessing and then move on to enjoy the fair, buying silver ornaments, metal-ware and clothes.