Tarnetar Fair, Gujarat is a popular fair in the state of Gujarat. This fair does not remain within the boundary of state but crosses it to reach the followers and the devotees.
That shows the importance and the significance of the fiesta. The fair of Tarnetar bears mythological significances. Mahabharata, the epic of Hindus bears various significances of the fair and the place. The fair is the best place where tourists can experience the rich heritage of India and the colorful vivacity that lies in every celebration.
Tarnetar Fair is an important festival in Gujarat. The festival originated from the days of Mahabharata. The three day festival of Swayamvar is organized every year. Young girls and boys dress in colorful clothes select their groom or bride respectively. This fair and the fiesta show the old tradition of choosing life partners of Hindu society. The festival is named after Tarnetar village that bears an oldest Shiva temple. The fair is an important event of the village. Ras Garba and Hudo are the main attractions of the fair where young girls and boys participate and add life to the social event. This event bears social relevancies than its religious ones.
Apart from this there is another distinctive feature of the fair is 'Tarnetar Chhatri' which is the colorful art and embroidery of Gujarat. These umbrellas bear intricate mirror work, embroidery and lacework.
The fair tales place in the month of August-September. According to the local calendar the fourth, fifth and sixth days of Shukla Paksha of the month. The fair and its social values add a different dimension. The relevancy and its focused objective have made the fair more significant and well-known.
The Tarnetar fair is held 8 km from the town of Thangadh, in Surendranagar District. This is the nearest railway station, on the Ahmedabad-Hapa broadgauge line. The nearest town with road transportation to other places is Chotila, 25 km from Thangadh, which is connected by ST buses from Rajkot (75 km), Jamnagar (162 km), Ahmedabad (196 km) or Porbandar (252 km.) From Bhavnagar, Chotila can be reached either via Rajkot, a trip of 264 km, or via Botad, a shorter journey of 190 km. Chotila, Thangadh and Tarnetar are well connected by ST buses and other mode of transportation. The nearest airport is Rajkot, 75 km away.
Being the most important fair of Saurashtra, Tarnetar is attended by more than 50,000 people. The main castes that have been participating are the Kolis, Rabaris, Bharwads, Khants, Kanbis, Kathis, Charans, the Harijans and the Desh-rabaris. With its growing reputation, visitors from rest of India and many different parts of the world are also seen here.