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Two weeks after
Holi in the month of
March/April, the Chitra Vichitra Fair is held at the confluence of three
rivers near the village of Poshina. The fair is attended by tribals in
great numbers, sometimes exceeding 60,000. The site is believed to date
from the time of the Mahabharata, when Chitraveer and Vichitraveer are
said to have repented at the Shiva temple, around which the fair is
centred. 
This fair, one of the largest, purely 'Adivasi' (tribal) fairs is
attended by around 60,000 to 70,000 tribal people. It takes place every
year in the village of Gunbhakhari in Sabarkantha district, very near the
borders of Rajasthan
. It is held a fortnight after Holi, the festival of colours.
THE BEAUTIFUL VENUE:
The site of the fair is attractive as the temple overlooks the rivers
Sabarmati, Akul and Vyakul. The name of the fair is derived from
Chitravirya and Vichitraviraya, the sons of King Shantanu, who are
believed to have lived here and been cured of diseases, which afflicted
them.
THE COLOURFUL VISITORS:
The Garasia tribals, known for their colourful attires and chunky
jewellery, the Bhils for their archery skills and ancient culture, and the
Rabaris who are primarily pastoral and sport heavy ornaments are the main
tribes at the fair.
The fair attracts large numbers of Bhils (tribals) who come from all the
surrounding districts using every imaginable form of transport. The
Garasis and Bhil tribals dress in their customary colourful costumes. The
costume of the men generally consists of a blue shirt, dhoti and a red or
saffron turban.
Women don 'ghaghras' (embroidered skirts), which have a circumference of
as much as 20 yards, and are covered from head to foot with ornate and
heavy silver jewellery. They use liquid 'kumkum' (vermilion) to colour
their cheeks and lips a brilliant red, while their eyes are outlined with
'kajal' (kohl).
MAKE YOUR PRESENCE FELT
Every group that comes to the fair carries its own drum making the
atmosphere come alive with the incessant beat of numerous drums. The fair
also acts as a venue for betrothals, as tribal youth use this opportunity
to find their future spouses.
THE MAIN RITUALS:
The fair begins with mourning at the 'triveni sangam' (confluence) at
night, which rapidly gives way to rejoicing, dancing and singing, with
stalls selling food and produce. Tribals from various districts of
Gujarat and neighbouring
Rajasthan attend
the fair, which is a good time for relatives to meet, or to find a
suitable bride - eloping is not uncommon, though.
MEANS OF MERRIMENT:
The dancing and drumming continue for hours until everyone is exhausted.
Over a hundred stalls hold food and drink, and sweets of various kinds.
Silver ornaments can be bought and household articles as well. Here, as in
other fairs, there is a giant wheel, and a merry-go-round, which never
cease to spin.