Gujarat Food / Diet : The traditional Gujarati thali mostly encompasses rotli, dal or kadhi, sabzi also known

as shaak and rice. The staple food of Gujarat consists of homemade pickles, chhaas (buttermilk), salad etc. main course includes vegetables which are usually steamed and dal. Sweets: Basundi, Ghari Ghebar or Ghevar, Halvasan, Keri no ras, Malpua, Puran Poli, Shrikhand, Sutarfeni, Farsan (Snacks), Daal Dhokli, Dhokla, Fafda, Farsi Falafel, Ganthia, Hahdwoh, Kachori, Khakhra, Khaman, Khaman Dhokla, Khandvi, Khichu, Meethi (Sweet) Kadhi, Sev Tameta nu Shak, Undhiyun, Bajri no rotlo, Bhakhri, Dhebara, Thepala Clothing / Dress Code: The commonest type of dress worn by males in rural areas consists of cotton drawers called `chorno` and a short `kediyu` or `angarakhu` covering the upper part of the body. Most of the people especially agriculturists still continue to put on the typical head dress, thickly folded `phento` or turban. Women in villages put on `chaniyo` the coloured petticoat often embroidered with `abhala` or glass pieces, a similarly embroidered blouse or bodice called as `choli` or `polku` along with `odhani`, a coloured piece of coarse cloth covering the body and the head. Elderly males of higher classes put on `dhoti` (waistcloth) and `kafani` or `peharan` (shirt). Gujarati males generally wear dhoti, long or short coat and turban cap. Nowadays, pants are becoming common instead of dhoti. The women wear sari and blouse. Parsi males wear pants, long coat and a headgear. Festivals: Gujarat fairs and festivals are well known world wide. It is due to the celebration of numerous fairs and festivals in Gujarat that it is also called the 'Land of fairs and festivals'. Around 3500 fairs and festivals at Gujarat are celebrated all the year around. The fairs and festivals of Gujarat can be celebrated for the change of season, at harvesting time of a green field, on some religious event. The significance of Gujarat fairs and festivals is that they take you closer to the rich cultural diversity of the people there. You get to see the customs, ethics, values and beliefs of the people of Gujarat. Moreover, you also get to know the regional cuisine, clothes, etc, during the fairs and festivals of Gujarat. All the fairs and festivals at Gujarat are governed by solar and lunar

calendars and are mainly religious in nature. One striking feature of the fairs and festivals in Gujarat is that one can experience the cultural and religious diversity of the place. The Gujarat fairs and festivals attract thousands of tourists every year from all across the globe to come and witness the dense cultural heritage of this part of India. Some of the Gujarat fairs and festivals that have attracted global attention are: Navratri Mahotsav, International Kite festival, Rathyatra, Holi, Deepawali, Bhadra Purnima Fair, Mahadev Fair and Shamlaji Melo Climate: The relief is low in the most parts of the state and involves diverse climate conditions. The winters are mild, pleasant, and dry with average daytime temperatures around 29 C (84 F) and nights around 12 C (54 F) with 100 percent sunny days and clear nights. The summers are extremely hot and dry with daytime temperatures around 41 C (106 F) and at night no lower than 29 C (84 F). In the weeks leading up to the arrival of the monsoon rains the temperatures are similar to above but with high humidity which makes the air feel hotter. Relief comes when the monsoon season starts around in mid June. The day temperatures are lowered to around 35 C (95 F) but humidity is very high and nights are around 27 C (81 F). Most of the rainfall occurs in this season, and the rain can cause severe floods. The sun is often occluded during the monsoon season. Though mostly dry, it is desertic in the north-west, and wet in the southern districts due to a heavy monsoon season. Occupation:Agriculture with significant contribution to 'Oil seeds' that include cotton too. Milk revolution started and organised Milk production, processing, distribution & product marketing. Shipping and ports is another occupation that keeps people engaged usefully. The only ship-breaking port in this part of the world at 'Alang' along the coast of Gulf of 'Khambat' ('Cambay') is in Gujarat. Gujarat is petroleum-rich that produces the highest Petroleum in Indian states. Many are engaged in Petroleum extraction and refineries (biggest refinery is here). In Chemical engineering industries it tops the country. Most 'salt' (table salt) is produced in Gujarat. Fast growing city of 'Surat' owes its prosperity to 'Diamond' cutting, the only one in the country giving a stiff competition to Israeli diamond industry and that is followed by the industry of 'gold thread' ('zaree') woven into garments like sarees & dhotis worn in India. It also has the biggest saree retail market.