Gujarat’s only hill station, Saputara, opened its annual Monsoon Festival on August 8, with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi leading the inauguration alongside Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other officials, IANS reported.
The festival, running until August 29 in the Dang district, brings together nature, tribal culture, folk arts, adventure activities and local cuisine, as part of the state’s wider effort to promote tourism and generate economic opportunities for local communities. More than 300 artists from eight states, alongside over 110 performers from Gujarat, are taking part, contributing folk music, dance and tribal traditions to the celebrations.
Programming includes a parade themed around the national “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” initiative, cultural and musical performances, craft and tribal art workshops, nature trails, outdoor adventure activities, rain dance sessions and family-oriented entertainment.
“Saputara is not only Gujarat’s only hill station, but also a symbol of Dang’s rich tribal culture, natural diversity and lush green identity,” Sanghavi said at the inaugural ceremony, according to IANS. He added that tourists visiting Saputara directly benefit hoteliers, taxi drivers, local guides, women’s self-help groups, artisans and farmers in the region.
According to state government figures, around 261,000 tourists visited Saputara during last year’s festival, with more than 143,000 using boating facilities. Around 290 stalls selling local handicrafts and traditional products generated approximately INR15.7mn ($0.18mn) in revenue for local traders and artisans.
Sanghavi said the state government was continuing to develop Saputara as a world-class monsoon and eco-tourism destination, with ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure, public amenities, beautification works and wayfinding signage, alongside broader efforts to improve education, healthcare, roads, water supply and electricity across Dang’s tribal areas.