Gujarat – Culture and Tradition

Gujarat – Culture and Tradition

Gujarat is also called as “Jewel of Western India” is known for its unique and rich culture. It bordered by Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and the Arabian Sea and is home to Gujars, who ruled the area during the 700’s.

It was the main center of the Indus Valley Civilization and Harappan civilization. The Gujarati culture is a blend of there beliefs, customs, inventions, values, and technology.

History

Gujarat history

Gujarat dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization time, it contains ancient cities from Indus valley Lothal, Dholavira, and Gola Dhoro. The history provides evidence of trade ties with Egypt, Bahrain, and Sumer in the Persian Gulf.

Chandragupta Maurya conquered a number of places now what form Gujarat. Emperor Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya order engraving of his edicts in Junagadh rock. After the Maurya Empire, the Sakas controlled the region.

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There was The Kshatrapa dynasty from the start of the 1st century AD which was replaced by the Gupta empire. In the 900s the Solanki Dynasty came into power which made Gujarat reached its much greater extent.

Then came the Muslim Ruler Mahmud of Ghazni who invaded Gujarat, later Mughal emperor Akbar conquered it which was later acquired by Chhatrapati Shivaji.

During the Independence movement, Gujarat became a place of revolts as many freedom fighters like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi hailed from Gujarat.

Gujarat Traditions

Gujarat Culture

Gujarat carries its own culture and tradition which is clearly visible in day to day activities of people. Fairs and festivals of Gujarat are very popular and there are about 1000 festivals celebrated in Gujarat.

Gujarat has its own wedding tradition too, their marriage is performed according to Vedas which consists of prayers, invocations, and vows recited in Sanskrit. The wedding ceremony takes place in mandap and the four pillars which surround the mandap are the parents of the bride and the groom.

The ceremony is performed before a sacred fire, or agniaa, which is the eternal witness of the marriage, and all vows are taken.

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Gujarati Language

Indo-Aryan language evolved from Sanskrit Gujarati is spoken in Gujarat. Whereas people of Kutch speak Kutchi while Memoni is also spoken among Sindhi memons and Muslims.

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Gujarati Costumes

gujarati dress

Gujarati has its own unique cultural dressing. The women’s main dress is Chaniyo & Choli, while men wear Chorno & Kediyu. The jewelry adorned by both males and females. The Gujarati outfits usually have thread work, use of beads, astragals, small patches which add creativity to Gujarati dresses.

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Gujarati Cuisines

Gujarati cuisines

Gujarati cuisines are one of the healthiest cuisines in India and are primarily vegetarian. A Gujarati thali consists of roti, dal, rice, and sabzi with Indian pickle. Gujarati dishes are dhokla, pathra, samosa, Khaman while sweet dishes are mohanthal, jalebi, doodh pak.

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Gujarati Music and dance

Garba

Gujarati folk music is called Sugam Sangeet, while the instrument used are turi, bungal, pava, ravan hattho, ektaro, and jantar. The folk dance raas-garba is very popular in Gujarat when chaniya choli is worn by women while kedia is worn by men and they dance during Navratri celebrations.

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Famous tourist attractions

Somnath temple
Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Gujarat is one of the most popular states for tourism in India, it is popular for the beautiful Great Rann of Kutch, hills of Saputara, there are many holy temples, historic capitals, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, hill resorts to visit.

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Simmi Kamboj

Simmi Kamboj is the Founder and Administrator of Ritiriwaz, your one-stop guide to Indian Culture and Tradition. She had a passion for writing about India's lifestyle, culture, tradition, travel, and is trying to cover all Indian Cultural aspects of Daily Life.