The International Kite Festival is always held at Ahmedabad on January 14, with the festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. on this day people of Gujarat fly kits and they have lots of fun together, all are in the terace, if somebody cuts a kite he says "Kapyo Chhe" or "Lappet". These are the words, which called when kits are cuts. We have colourful kits all the day flying in the sky,

Kites are flown all over Gujarat, and Ahmedabad become cities of kite-flyers. On that day everyone forgets his routiine works and enjoy Uttaraya. A different different types of kites are seen in the sky. We have bright sun shine, strong wind to carries kites. Also different different foods are also eaten on that day, specially "Udhiyu and Jalebi".

On the international kite festival day, participates are from all around the world. This gives the people of Ahmedabad the change to see the unusual kites brought by the visitors some of which are truly works of art. Visitors are very much interested to know more about kites and its arts.

Navratri (Nine Nights Festival)

• Time: September - October

Navratri is the most famous festival of Gujarat around the world. Navratri is group of 'nine nights', where Gujarti people enjoy festival with joy and relious, for nine nights. This is an ancient and colourful festival. Navratri honours the one Divine Shakti or Force which supports the entire universe, and is personified as the Mother Goddess. She protects her worshippers, destroys evil and grants boons to her children. This Navratri festival is essentially religious in nature.

Navratri is celebrated with true devotion in the various temples dedicated to Mataji. This is also true of the temples which usually have a constant stream of visitors from morning to night.

The moste Interesting point is the Ras-Garba, a circular dance executed by men and women around an ceramic pot called a Garbo. A silver coin is placed within the pot, called a kumbh, and coconut has also been placed on the top. As the performers circle the pot, a singer and a drummer provide the musical. The participants clap in a steady rhythm. Nowadays, loudspeakers are used to enhance the sound which grows to a crescendo. The Garbo normally starts slowly, and it becomes faster and faster as the music too becomes more fast. Gujarat is famous for its Ras-Garba around the world.

Another interesting feature of Navaratri is the Dandia Ras, in which men and women join the dance in circle with Dandia (a small wooden stick). In this dance, men and women strike the dandias together and the singer and drummer make it more exciting. The Ras-Garba are so popular around the Gujarat, so some people and companies are now held the competitions. Also Big Prizes are given to the winner in various category, like the Traditional costumes, Style of Dance, Best Dandia-Ras Couple, Best Garba Style and more. All the winners are judged by the Selected judges.

Nowadays, Ras-Garba is held in the Party Plots, Clubs, Farm and taking enterance fees for the Ras-Garba. Some of the Singer and the drummer are so popular because of the Ras-Garba. The Dances normally starts at night and continues to early morning.

Rath Yatra

• Time: August

Ahmedabad Rath Yatra is just like Rath Yatra of Jagannath Puri in Orissa. The Rath Yatra starts in the early morning from the Jagdish Mandir located in the Jamalpur area. Rath Yatra is also a relious festival of Guajrat. It is associated with Bhagwan Krishna, Balram and Subhadra. The Rath Yatra are taken round the city amidst much pomp, show, and gaiety. The decorated elephants, Trucks, Cars, Gymnasts, Acrobats, sadhus, and devotees from all walks with the Rath Yatra. The Mahant of the Jagannath Temple make all the arrangements across Ahmedabad to make the Rath Yatra. People of Gujarat come to Ahmedabad to celebrate the Rath Yatra festival.