Uttrayana - The festival of Uttrayan is dedicated to Lord Surya. Uttrayan is predominantly a Hindu festival. Every year Uttrayana is celebrated on January 14 in Gujarat. Uttrayana is considered to be the celebration of six months period between Makar Sankranti(January 14) and Karka Sankranti(July 14). This period is known as Dakshinayana.  Uttrayana starts on January 14 every year and is celebrated as Makar Sankranti in all over India, which is declared as National Festival by Government of India.

The word Uttrayana came from two different Sanskrit words, “Uttar” means 'North' and “Ayana” means 'Movement Towards'. On this day, the sun travels towards North leaving Dhanus symbolizing starting of summer season and making the decline of winter. Uttrayana also symbolizes the onset of spring season throughout the northern hemisphere. On this day, people come on the roof of their house by dressing themselves well to fly the kites.

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Holi - Holi is the festival of colors. It is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in mid Spring. It is a two-day festival. On the first day of Holi, the demoness Holika, Hiranyakashipu's sister, is burnt in huge bonfires at night. On the second day, known as Dhuleti, people enjoy the whole day by throwing colored powder and water on each other. There is also a scientific reason behind it. When the weather changes during the spring season, people may suffer from viral fever and cold. The colored powders which people use to play, is made up of medicinal herbs like Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva and others that are prescribed by Ayurvedic doctors. Thus, this is the protection against viral fever and cold. On this day, a special drink called Thandai is prepared containing Bhang.

Holi takes place in the later part of February or in the starting days of March. It marks the end of winter and the advent of spring season. As per the Hindu Calendar, it falls on the Phalgun Poornima(Full Moon).

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Diwali - Diwali is the festival of lights. It falls in the Kartik month according to Hindu calendar in the month of October/November. Diwali festival is celebrated for five long days, namely, Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Laxmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj respectively in Gujarat. It celebrates the victory of good against the evil. People celebrate and enjoy this festival by firing lots of crackers, wearing new clothes, sharing sweets, visiting each other's place, giving a lot of gifts and best wishes to their loved ones. Diwali is celebrated without any discrimination by the people of Gujarat.

Diwali is an important, most popular and eagerly awaited festival. On this day, people wake up early in the morning and wear good clothes. Children and all the elders burst the crackers and offer sweets to each other. On Diwali, mainly, Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and also the mother of the whole Universe, Lord Ganesh, the Lord of an auspicious beginning, and Lord Shiva are worshiped by the people of Gujarat.

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Navratri - The Navratri  festival is the festival of 9 nights. It starts on the first night of  Ashwina. This festival is specially devoted to Goddess Shakti. Garba is the folk dance of Gujarat and is performed during 9 long nights. People perform Garba around the statue of Goddess Shakti till midnight. Each day of the fiesta begins with the performance of aarti. On the eighth and ninth day of Navratri, people offer prayers to Goddess Durga, Vijayashtami and Mahanavmi. The tenth day after the ninth day of Navratri festival, is Dussehra that is observed to celebrate the triumph of Lord Rama over the Demon Ravana. The most characteristic dances of Gujarat are the Rasa and Garba. Thousands of people dresses in their traditional garba or dandia outfit to participate in garba or dandia-ras for all through the night in the clubs and open grounds.

Rath Yatra - Rath Yatra is an eminent festival which is celebrated with a huge procession and Musical bands. Rath Yatra is the grandest event in Gujarat. The chariots as well as the idols are adorned with flowers and garlands. In Ahmedabad, Rath Yatra is celebrated on the auspicious day of Ashadh Sud 2, in early July. The Ahmedabad Rath Yatra has been taking place for more than 130 years.

Rath Yatra is a day of public celebrations. On the day of Rath Yatra in Gujarat, children from different schools march on the streets cheerfully. Three chariots with Lord Krishna, Balram and Subhadra are pulled by the devotees through their own respective city. Elephants play an important role in this festival. The Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad is quiet similar to the world famous Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra.

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Raksha Bandhan: Raksha Bandhan is celebrated every year on the full Moon day of Shravana (July-August) month. It is a Hindu festival which celebrates the bond between brother and sister. It is marked by tying of a rakhi by a sister on the wrist of her brother. In the word 'Raksha Bandhan', Raksha means 'to protect' and Bandhan means 'bond'. Therefore, Rakhi is a bond of protection.

On this auspicious day, sister visit her brother and sometimes brother is invited by his sister on this day. After performing the pooja, sister applies tilak on her brother's forehead and performs aarti for him. Then she ties a rakhi on her brother's wrist and prays for his long, healthy and happy life. Brother expresses his gratitude towards his sister by gifting her some present or giving some money and vows to protect her from all the difficulties and hardships in life. After that, both the brother and sister share a sweet.

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Christmas - The word “Christmas” comes from the words “Cristes maesse” or “Christ’s Mass”.  The festival of Christmas began with the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was born on December 25th in 4BC. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ for the members of the Christian religion. It is the most important day for the people of the Christian religions. Jesus Christ is considered to be the son of God and the savior of all the people.

With birth of Jesus Christ, Christianity took birth and with the birth of Christianity, Christmas also celebrates its birth. People celebrate this day by giving gifts to their dear ones, by wishing each other “merry Christmas” and also by decorating their home with various beautiful lights and also by decorating the Christmas tree on this day with various gifts and beautiful lights. Santa Claus, also considered to be Father Christmas, brings a lot of various beautiful gifts on the day of Christmas. Christmas is also celebrated by non-Christians considering it to be a cultural festival. Christmas holiday is celebrated around the world by all the people.

Janmashtami - Janmashtami is the celebration of the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, on the Earth. Lord Krishna was born at Krishna Janmabhoomi in Madhura. Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Bhadra, according to the Hindu Calendar. The star of the day was Rohini. Therefore, it is known as Ashatami Rohini. It is one of the most important festivals of India.

This religious festival is celebrated in the month of August/September which is according to Gregorian calendar. Lord Krishna was born in a prison as his parents were imprisoned by his maternal uncle, King Kamsa, as he came to know that his sister's son would kill him. On this day, homes and temples are decorated very beautifully and images of Lord Krishna are bathed in a mixture of curd, milk, honey and basil leaves.

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Ganesh Chaturthi - Lord Ganesha is considered to be a symbol of wisdom and a bringer of good luck. This festival is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha. The birth of Lord Ganesha falls on the 4th day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Bhadrapad (August/September), according to the Hindu calendar. It starts on the Shukla Chaturthi. It lasts for 10 long days ending on Anant Chaturdashi. This festival is observed in the Lunar month. Lord Ganesha is the son of Shiv and Parvati.

This festival is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi. Ladoos are distributed on this day and milk is offered to the idols of Lord Ganesha at homes as well as at temples. On the tenth day, the idol of Lord Ganesha is carried on the procession and then it is immersed in the sea with reverence. For complete ten days, Lord Ganesha is worshipped whole-heartedly by the people.

Dussehra / Durga Puja (the greatest festival of Bengal) - It is the grand festival celebrated all over India. It falls on the tenth day of the bright half (waxing moon) of the Hindu month of Ashwiyuja. It is the triumph of good over the evil. It is celebrated for 10 long days and it marks the culmination of the festival. First nine days are celebrated as Navratri and the tenth as Dussehra. It is also known as Vijaydashami day.  This festival is celebrated as the victory of Ram over Ravana.

On this day, large effigies of the demon-king Ravana, hisbrother Kumbhakaran and his son Meghnad are burnt having fireworks in it symbolizing evils to get rid from the world. It is marked by the worship of Goddess Durga., the incarnation of shakti. Durga puja is performed on this day.