| Baroda is a city of famous festivals and | | | | kites while men kite fights. Winners of the |
| celebration. The belief that the gods are | | | | competition cheer "Kaypo Che" which means "I |
| continuously blessing the people in all aspects of | | | | cut the kites." The people also enjoy crunching on |
| their life remains intact. Truly, one visual proof is | | | | sesame and peanut bars. |
| the rise of intellectuals and talents in the field of | | | | Aside from the joyous festivals, the city has |
| arts and sports. Some of the famous festivals | | | | produced intellectual and talented individuals that |
| they splendidly celebrate are attributed to their | | | | continue to be the city's pride. Some of the |
| gods. | | | | personalities are from the arts and sports. |
| The first festival is Navrati. It is celebrated every | | | | The Baroda Cricket team is composed of the |
| October. The people dance raas and garba dances | | | | best players and bowlers that won many |
| while musicians play traditional music. It is also | | | | tournaments. They represent the city and have |
| known as barba and considered the largest | | | | been awarded six time champions in the Ranji |
| festival here. | | | | trophy. Some of its famous players are Hemu |
| The second festival is Diwali. It is a five-day event | | | | Adhikari, Amir Elahi, Gul Mohammad and |
| held every October 13 to November 14. It is | | | | Anshuman Gaekwad. |
| celebrated to honor the freedom and victory for | | | | Inayat Khan Rahmat Khan Pathan is a famous |
| Lord Ram of Ayodhya. The people decorate their | | | | icon on Indian music, poetry and religion. |
| homes with lights made of diyas. A diyas is a light | | | | Academically he was excellent in both vocal and |
| formed within a stringed small clay pot with | | | | instrumental music. He was well versed in |
| coconut oil. It is also known as deepavali of | | | | Karnatac and Hinduism music. He was blessed with |
| Festival of lights. | | | | a sonorous and unique voice. He is the grandson |
| The third festival is Ganesh Chathurti. It is an | | | | of Prof. Moula Bux, founder of Academy of Indian |
| eleven-day celebration between the months of | | | | music. |
| August to September. The first day is called the | | | | He was able to composed religious songs and |
| Shukla Chathurti. The last day is the Anant | | | | write music books. Some of the books he wrote |
| Chathurti. It is held to commemorate the birth of | | | | are the Mingar Mousiquar, Stee Sayaji and Inayat |
| Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is the elephant headed | | | | Harmonium Shikshak. He traveled to other |
| god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. | | | | countries like US and Russia to promote Indian |
| During the celebration, the Lord Ganesha is | | | | music. |
| worshipped thru a lifesize image made of clay. | | | | Another group of famous people from Baroda |
| The image stands in platforms in front of homes | | | | are seven young and dynamic artists from M.S. |
| or placed under outdoor tents. A priest | | | | University Baroda. The city known as the home |
| performing chants as ritual leads the people. | | | | of modern contemporary art has again produced |
| People offer red flowers, trefoil blades, rice flour, | | | | the next Bhupen khakhars. Khakhar is an |
| jaggery and coconut. It is also known as Vinayak | | | | internationally acclaimed painter from Baroda. |
| Chathurti or Vinayaka Chavithi. | | | | This budding group is into pop art, kitsch, post- |
| The fourth festival is the Uttarayan. It is a | | | | modern art and minimalist styles of artworks. |
| six-month occasion that happens in between | | | | They used textiles, pencil drawing, charcoal and |
| January 14 to July 14. It commemorates the | | | | ink as medium. The seven artists are Sandip |
| movement of the sun towards north and awaking | | | | Pisalkar, Shreyas karle, Boshudhara Mukherjee, |
| of gods. People fly and engage in kite fights of | | | | Bhrigu Kr. Sharma, Bhavin Mistry, Nibha Santander |
| various sizes from 9 inches to 3 feet. Women fly | | | | and Swetha B.V. |