Gujarat's only hill station, Saputara, is hosting the Saputara Monsoon Festival 2026 until 29 August 2026, blending tribal culture, folk arts, adventure activities and local cuisine in a state-backed push to boost tourism and generate livelihoods for communities in the Dang district. Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the festival on Saturday, 8 August.

What the Festival Offers

The event spans a wide range of programmes: an 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'-themed parade, cultural and musical performances, craft and tribal art workshops, nature trails, outdoor adventure activities, rain dance, selfie points and family-oriented experiential programmes. Following the inauguration, artists from 13 states presented a dance showcase based on National Award-winning choreography, alongside traditional Dangi dance performances by local artists.

Economic Impact on Local Communities

According to state government figures, the 2025 Monsoon Festival drew approximately 2.61 lakh tourists to Saputara, with more than 1.43 lakh visitors availing boating facilities. Around 290 stalls selling local handicrafts and traditional products generated roughly ₹1.57 crore in revenue for local traders and artisans. Over the full year of 2025, approximately 14.67 lakh tourists visited Saputara, according to Minister of State for Tourism Jayram Gamit.

What the Government Said

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Sanghavi described Saputara as more than a hill station. '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,' he said. He positioned tourism as a core pillar of the state's development strategy under the 'Viksit Gujarat to Viksit Bharat' framework and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Viksit Bharat @2047' vision. 'Tourists visiting Saputara directly benefit the hotel industry, taxi drivers, local guides, women's self-help groups, artisans, farmers and small traders,' Sanghavi added.

Infrastructure and Broader Tourism Push

Sanghavi said the Gujarat government was working to develop Saputara into a world-class monsoon and eco-tourism destination, with investments in tourism-related infrastructure, public amenities, beautification, wayfinding signage and experience-based facilities. Basic civic infrastructure — education, healthcare, roads, water supply and electricity — in Dang's tribal areas is also being strengthened, he noted. Minister Gamit disclosed that under the state's 'Gujarat Tourism Year', an allocation of ₹3,090 crore has been earmarked for tourism, pilgrimage destinations and the civil aviation sector.

Festival's Origins and Forward Look

Gamit noted that the Saputara Monsoon Festival was first launched in 2009 under the guidance of the then Chief Minister and now Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and has since evolved into a platform showcasing Dang's tribal culture, folk arts and handicrafts to domestic and international audiences. The festival runs until 29 August 2026 and will continue to feature programmes centred on Saputara's natural landscape, tribal heritage, folk traditions and adventure tourism — with organisers eyeing higher footfall and greater artisan revenues than the previous edition.