Indulge in the Mesmerizing Saputara Monsoon Festival 2024 Edition

Saputara Monsoon Festival Parade or Megh Malhar Parva 2024

Schedule of Saputara Monsoon Festival (Megh Malhar Parva ) 2024 at Saputara, Gujarat
July 29, 2024 to August 28, 2024

Let us look at this year’s schedule of events at the Monsoon Festival, before reading about our experience afrom the past.

Bouquet of cultural events at Saputara Megh Malhar Parva 2024 (Saputara Monsoon Festival 2024)

As per Gujarat Tourism, the following activities maybe expected at this year’s Saputara Monsoon Festival or Megh Malhar Parva 2024.

1. Weekend and Public Holiday Culture program: Experience fun-filled activities and cultural programs featuring renowned artists every weekend and public holidays.
2. Dahi Handi Competition: Engage in the exciting Dahi Handi competition on Janmashtami, adding a vibrant touch to the festivities.
3. Nature Treasure Hunt: Embark on a thrilling treasure hunt, discovering the hidden wonders of nature and encountering peculiar and extraordinary findings.
4. Rain Run: Participate in the Rain Run marathon and enjoy rain-soaked soccer games, adding a dynamic element to the monsoon festival.
5. Art Gallery: Immerse yourself in an exquisite art gallery showcasing a diverse collection of paintings, artworks, and captivating monsoon-themed sceneries to enthrall visitors.
6. Open Nature Workshops: Unleash your creativity through workshops on photography, art painting, and bamboo rafting, providing a unique opportunity to explore your artistic side amidst nature.
7. Local Cuisine: Delight in the soulful treasures of Saputara’s local cuisine while supporting the Self Help Groups and neighboring villagers.
8. Open Air Book Fair: Indulge in a dream destination for book lovers, where you can enjoy the mesmerizing monsoon ambiance while reading books in an open area.
9. Adventure Village/ Tribal Flavor: Engage in various adventure activities, games, and tribal sports, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
10. City welcome Signage: Be captivated by the city’s welcoming signage, serving as an iconic attraction for tourists attending the event.
11. Other Activities & Competitions: Thrill yourself with boat racing, attend yoga classes, participate in quiz contests, seminars, and musical learning competitions, and showcase your skills in rangoli and photography competitions.
12. Inauguration of Various Tourist Facilities: Witness the grand inauguration of tourist facilities such as a musical fountain, amphitheater, adventure park, boating jetty area development, floating jetty, canopies around Hayat Lake, and the development of Mall Road, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.

We were right in the middle of the festival parade, walking with a contingent of drummers. Our feet involuntarily started to move to the electrifying beat. The drummers were now performing some acrobatic feats synchronized to the rhythm. The mists had just cleared leaving behind cool refreshing atmosphere. There were contingents of Garba Dancers and Tribal dancers. It was heart-warming to see school children participating with parade along with a contingent of foreign students studying in Gujarat.  All this was part of Saputara Monsoon Festival

It was magical and we could not believe that it was only the evening before we had reached Saputara where the monsoon clouds had darkened the sky. The town itself wore a festive look with colored lights along the main streets and the illuminated fountain in the main round-about. 

The mere mention of traveling to Gujarat sets our hearts racing and often conjures up images of folk dances, traditional festivals, colourful dresses, age-old places of worship, intricate jewellery, mouth-watering dishes and more recently, the tall Statue of Unity. 

When we visited Saputara in Dang District of Gujarat, we were pleasantly surprised that lush green mountains with their dense forests and gushing waterfalls, are other characteristics that ought to be added to the above list. Had we not experienced it, we would not have believed it. 

Added to it  was the icing on the cake in the form of monsoon season. Sahyadris in general is best enjoyed during the monsoons. This is when the brown, dry mountains give way to the pleasant green plants and trees. The rain water forms rivulets on the top of the hills and falls along the sides, giving rise to multiple waterfalls.

The cherry on the top is the Saputara Monsoon Festival, a cultural extravaganza lasting a whole month, brought to us by Gujarat Tourism. 

Saputara Monsoon Festival

The ninth edition of this festival was kick-started on the 10th August 2019, with a cultural parade, witnessed by the Tourism Minister, Mr Jawahar Chawda, MD of Gujarat Tourism, Mr Jenu Devan with the famous Bollywood actress, Bhagyashree and the District Collector Shri. N.K. Damor. The parade involved dancers, not only from Gujarat but also from other parts of India. There were folk and tribal dances including the mind-blowing drum dance.

We expect similar inauguration events at Megh Malhar Parva this year as well.

On the opening day dance troupe from a few states performed folk dances,  which were par excellence! 

Check out the various folks dances from other Indian states here.

The low dark clouds which descend to the street level once in a while, make it the ideal place to romance with the monsoon. 
The main street of the town transforms into a one big stage for the parades and market. 

In addition, various programmes are held in many locations. The most important one is at the big white dome, near the main fountain circle. The fountain itself attracts attention as it is beautifully lit with ever changing colored lights. 
The cultural programmes are carefully curated to bring the best of Dang region in one place. The daily program includes Patriotic songs, Terracotta exhibition in Artists Village, comedy show, live orchestra with the dome open for folk, freestyle or garba dancing, special events during religious festivals and so on. On certain days, music and songs will be played by a professional DJ , on popular requests and there are also Karaoke evenings!

There are also art and crafts display on the walls of the dome. The display of larger than life masks made of papier Mache, is not to be missed. For kids, there are magic shows, Aquarium, painting workshops, quiz programs, interactive games, fire eaters, mask wearing cartoon characters and people on stilt for those funny selfies. 

Other activities in the Megh Malhar Parva include exhibitions, adventure activities, food festival, interactive games, competitions, flash mobs and much more.
On the last days there will be special programs on monsoon, Antakshari  and a closing ceremony on 9th September 2019.

What else to do in and around Saputara?

Saputara being the only hill station, Gujarat offers a lot more for those who want to experience monsoon to the fullest.

Read this Complete Guide on Saputara, the hill station, Gujarat including activities, tickets, shopping etc.

The nature lovers may drive to the nearby viewpoints or drive out on the hilly roads,  criss-crossing the River Ambika, to nearby villages, nature parks, botanical gardens and several scenic waterfalls, which become more spectacular in the monsoon. There are also religious places like Shabari Dham and Pampa Sarovar where Shabari waited for Shri Ram, as per Ramayana.

Within Saputara there is a nice museum displaying tribal artifacts which is quite interesting and also an Artist Village, where a few artists and sculptors have made their home and also display their creations. There are also a few well-manicured gardens to relish when the weather is clear. 
Last but not the least, a walk around the Saputara lake in the morning is so invigorating and leaves one with the right mood to enjoy the day. There is also boating on the lake and ropeway in the hills, but these were closed for the monsoon. These are for another day! 

Click for a more detailed article on Things to do in Saputara a hill station in Gujarat.

Saputara, Gujarat: 18 Amazing Things to do

Useful Information about Saputara Monsoon Festival

Where to Stay in Saputara?

There are many hotels in and near Saputara to suit every pocket. Toran chain of hotels run by Gujarat Tourism are well located. They have added to their group a dormitory hotel for youngsters providing clean place to stay the night.

For best accommodation in Saputara booking and offers click here

Tips, Tidbits and Snippets about Saputara Monsoon Festival

• Saputara Weather. It is monsoons in Gujarat, and the rains in Saputara are intermittent but heavy. So carry umbrellas and raincoats.
• We recommend an early start, if you are planning to travel from Mumbai by road.
• On weekends there are many more events for the visitors. While it may become crowded, but it is definitely worth visiting during weekends.

FAQ On Saputara Monsoon Festival

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