jan-arend van Boeijen's video: Vautha Fair Gujarat Trade Devotion and Pleasure that is what the fair is all about

In 2019 we travelled to Gujarat, India. For the time being our last big trip because of the Corona crisis, I fear. I hope everything will return to normal. But how we enjoyed our trip. Gujarat is one of the most interesting federal states of India but still , but is still one of the least known regions of India in Western India, between Mumbai and Rajasthan. Gujarat has impressive jain temples on hilltops, deserts, vast salt flats with a wide variety of birds, villages with colorful minority groups such as the Rabari, Harijians, Ghats, Ahirs, Dhaneta jat, Banni, Ravari, Meghwal and Rathwa and many itinerant nomads with their sheep, goats and camels. Gujarat is still little visited. So for those who do not want to meet other tourists on a trip and want to experience daily life in the countryside, like us, Gujarat is an Eldorado. Besides, Gujarat is also known as the residence of the last Asiatic lions. During our stay in the city of Ahmedabad we visited the Vautha Fair at Vautha, at the confluence of the Sabarmati and Vatrak Rivers, 50km south of Ahmedabad. Vautha Fair Gujarat Vautha Fair to Gujarat is what Pushkar Mela is to Rajasthan. The only difference should be that at the Pushkar fair drommedaris are traded and at the Vautha fair donkeys. Should be I said because when we were there we didn’t see any donkey but a lot of camels. But: that shouldn't spoil the fun. Stretching for five days, this event witnesses an immense footfall of farmers, devotees, traders, artisans and tourists from all over the country. Legends say that Kartikeya son of Lord Shiva, performed a ritual here on the bank of river on Karthik Poornima. Vautha Fair is the time when devotees from all over India visit Gujarat to take a holy dip in the waters of the sangam or confluence of rivers. The fair takes place at Saptasangam, a place of confluence of seven rivers. Rituals are performed on the bank of the river, thousands of lamps and flowers can be seen floating on the waters. Also, here you can find handicrafts and delicacies from all over the state. Vautha Fair brings together more than 500,000 visitors to drench in every bit of festivity.