There are places in India where you can see different ancient, modern, or new styles, like Gujarat culture. It is a state where you can see the different vibrant aspects of its culture. Different arts, festivals, and architecture made this state a vibrant place to visit.
It is also an integral part of India, which is a blend of cultures and traditions. Despite modernism, Gujarat still preserves its culture and tradition. People of this state are also very conscious about the culture and tradition. In this article, you'll learn about this culture and how people practice it.
Gujarat Culture Facts
Various ethnic groups enable the people of Gujarat to have a varied, vibrant culture. Most of the culture includes the methodology of the deity Krishna. However, it is a quickly developing state that also includes new and modern cultural things. Following are the things that exhibit the vibrant culture of Gujarat state of India.
Gujarat Culture Food
There is a delicious cuisine in Gujarat that includes various meals. The basic meal consists of dal, roti, rice, vegetables, a sweet dish, farsan, and chaos. The food in South Gujarat has a cuisine influenced by Maharashtra. In this part of the state, people normally eat Jowar.
However, the Northside people usually eat Bajra or Maize, making a blend of cuisines all over Gujarat. Baroda is a place where you can find the touch of all the cuisines of Gujarat state. In ancient times, wheat was only used by the elite and middle-class people at festival times. But now, it has become the main food in the Gujarati menu.
The popular dishes served in Gujarat include Khaman Dhokla, Doodhpak, Sev-Gathiya, etc. Following are different cuisines in the culture of Gujarat;
- Khandvi
- Undhiyu
- Aam Shrikhand
- Gujarati Kadhi
However, the flavors of Gujarati meals are a blend of tastes like sweet, sour, and spicy. Different regions made different dishes by following this blend for their meal.
Gujarat Culture Clothing
There is a unique, traditional style of clothing that exhibits Gujarat culture. The major cloth in the tradition and culture of Gujarat is the Patola Silk. It is also known as the "Queen of all Silks," which is also a part of the Gujarati bridal dress. This dress is a silk and zari woven saree that looks beautiful and vibrant for the special day.
The traditional Gujarati dress has block prints that beautify the piece of cloth. There is a Kutch region in Gujarat where you'll see women named Abhas who are adorned with traditional outfits. During festivals like Navratri Mahotsav, there is an outfit named Chaniya Cholis, a traditional outfit.
During this festival, there is also a traditional dress for men known as Kediya dress. Within the clothing culture, there is also a traditional jewelry called Silver Pachchikam. In Gujarat, there is a trend of this jewelry in the name of culture, which is also a part of wedding ceremonies.
Art Of Gujarat
The fabulous art and culture of Gujarat are famous not only in India but also in other countries. Tourists from all over the world love to see such arts and crafts and also buy some of them. These arts and crafts include jewelry, furniture, garments, metal work, leather work, or clay work.
Wood and stone crafts also play a good role in exhibiting Gujarat culture. You'll see the beauty of Gujarat by exploring the arts of different materials. The arts are also used to make creative things like bed covers, cushion covers, quilts, table mats, etc.
Patola silk is the art of clothing while making traditional Gujarati saree. This patola silk originated from a place called Patan. These artworks play a major role in preserving the Gujarat culture. There is an industry called Zari that is famous all over the world for embroidery work.
Fairs And Festivals
Gujarat is very famous because of its festivals, as almost 1000 festivals are celebrated each year. Therefore, this state is also famous as the state of fairs and festivals. Following are some of the fairs and festivals that Gujarati people celebrate each year.
- The first is the Bhavnath Mahadev Mela, which is celebrated each year in February.
- There are annual fairs celebrated in March called Dangs Darbar and Chitra.
- From April to October, the fairs celebrated are the Dhrang Fair and the Trinetreshwar Mahadev Fair.
- In November, people celebrated two fairs: Vautha Mela and Shamlaji Melo.
- There are also annual festivals that people celebrate in specific months. These include the kite festival, dance festival, Kutch Mahotsav, and Bhadra Purnima.
Music And Dance Of Gujarat
There is a traditional folk music in Gujarat known as Sangam Sangeet, which is considered among the most famous music in the whole world. There are various musical instruments like manjira, Turi, Jantar, Prabhat, ektaro, pot drum, etc. The folk songs also include Bhajans as a traditional and cultural touch in them.
However, it is claimed that the famous musicians Baiju Bawra and Tana Riri also belonged to this state of India. People in Gujarat are enthusiastic, and they developed their own traditional dance forms. Among these, four are the major dance forms that are as follows;
- Dandiya
- Garbi
- Garba
- Padhar
Wedding Ceremony In Gujarat
Weddings are a highly prosperous cultural activity in the Gujarat state of India. It is considered a sacred lifelong activity that includes several things like prayers, invocations, and vows recited in the Sanskrit language. It is a Vedic wedding that was first performed five thousand years ago.
This ceremony is the most awaited activity for the couples and their family. There are various steps in the completion of the wedding ceremony. These are as follows;
- It started with the departure of the groom's family to the Bride's house.
- The groom is welcomed warm-heartedly, and the rituals are performed.
- After Kaniya Dan and Ganesh puja, there is a ritual called Mangal Phera, during which the couple has to go around the sacred fire.
- The holy thread and the tikka activity are followed by the Mangal Phera.
- In the end, the Bride goes to the groom's house with blessings.
Conclusion
The Gujarat culture is well preserved in such activities and traditions, which is also attractive to tourists. The people of Gujarat are friendly and exhibit the vibrant traditions that make it a famous state of India.