Tarnetar

TARNETAR BETHORAL FAIR

August/September
Like Pushkar in Rajasthan, Tarnetar is an ethnic fair that has attracted the attention of tourists.

The best known of Gujarat's fairs is held at the historic shrine of Tarnetar at a holy site said to have been the original course of river Ganga. The fair is attended by eligible herdsmen, who sport brightly embroidered umbrellas and unmarried girls from pastoral tribes, who get to select their husbands in the old Swayamwara tradition.

Embroidered umbrella signifying bachelor status

The fair is said to commemorate the victory of Arjuna at the contest held for princess Draupadi in this region. Dips in the holy temple pond, handicraft stalls, devotional songs and prayers at the temple are other events. TCGL offers tented and hut accommodation at Tarnetar, package tours for those wanting to attend the fair, catering stalls on the fair ground, folk dance & brightest umbrella contests, Garba lessons for incoming tourists and exhibitions on Gujarat during the fair.

Bridegroom Selection

Plenty of colourful dancing, folk music, devotional hyms and contests are other cultural aspects that add to the atmosphere of the fair.

Accommodations are available in tents at the fair grounds, the Royal palace guest house in Wankaner and in good hotels at Rajkot.

As all suitors, male and female, clothe themselves in their most colourful attires and artistic ornaments, this is unodubtedly one of India's most picturesque traditional events.