Festivals
Holi
Better know as festival of colours, where people apply color on their beloved very well known as 'gulaal', which was ideally made of 'kesuda' a flowering plant. but, now people use the powdered form. people gather at one place forgetting all their problems and have fun in this festival. it is also very well associated with myth or holika - phrlad & hirnayakashyapu.
Eid-Ul-Fitr OR Ramdhan Eid
Eid-ul-fitr is celebrated on the first day of shaw'waal, at the completion of ramadan. shaw'waal is the 10th month of the islamic calendar. the eid-al-fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true thanksgiving day for the believing men and women. on this day, muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of ramadan.
Navratri (festival of nine nights)
Navratri or the festival of nine nights is devoted to goddess shakti. the festival also has the famous folk dance of gujarat "garba". the festival continues for nine nights, everybody takes part into it with same emphasis. each night starts with ceremonial "aarti" and is followed by garba until midnight. the garba dance is carried out around the statue of goddess shakti. garba is also played with dandiyas in hand. during these nights, city is been beautifully decorated and nights become short.
Makar Sankranti or festival of kites or "Uttarayan"
14th january, in the festival of makar sankranti or festival of kites or "utarayan". the festival marks the end of winter and return of the sun to northern hemisphere and hence is named "uttar ayan". on this particular day, everybody in the city start the day through kite flying and continues into night with the flying of lamps tukkal attached to kites in the sky. the sky remains dotted with colourful kites through out the day.
RakshaBandhan
A festival celebrated by sisters and brothers. the festival consists of a sister tying a rakhi on the brother's hand. they ask to be by their side forever and also save them from all the problems they might face in the future. the festival is generally celebrated in the month of august.
The Muslims of Ahmedeabad and surrounding villages come to Eidgah a holy place to perform Eids' Namaz (prayer and Shahi Jam-E-Masjid. The people decorate their homes, shops, buildings, greet each other etc.