Surat, 3 August 2013

Tourism Minister of Gujarat Shri Saurabh Patel today inaugurated the annual Monsoon festival at Saputara in tribal Dang district of south Gujarat. Saputara is Gujarat’s only hill station. Every year while district collector organizes summer festival, the Gujarat Tourism Corporation organizes monsoon festival.

This year’s monsoon festival will continue till 1st of September. Laser show, craft and food bazar, film shows, bamboo balancing, jelly jump, build Saputara, bamboo ball, balloon blowing, ball and bucket, brick walk(couple), tug of war, musical chair, skip master, photo corner, cultural programmes, visit to local villages and interaction with local people, visit to Mahal forest, Shabaridham(Subir), trekking with packed lunch, visit to Gira falls, Vansda, botanical garden at Waghai, boating, visit to sun set point are some of the activities planned for tourists during the Monsoon festival.

Saputara means ‘Abode of the Snakes’. Saputara attracted 60,000 tourists during the Monsoon Festival last year according to Gujarat Tourism Corporation officials.This year’s Monsoon Festival promises to be bigger and better with a plethora of activities lined up for adventure junkies, culture aficionados and ofcourse nature lovers. Kids are bound to have a great time with excitement packed games like Bamboo balancing, Jelly Jump, Bamboo Ball, Balloon blowing, Skip Master, Musical Chairs, Bamboo Ball, Brick Walk, Tug of war, etc. Parents and adults can chose from a wide range of Cultural Programs, Film Shows, Food and Craft bazaars. The entire family can enjoy Laser shows and associated programs highlighting the culture of the Dangs.

Adrenaline rush for adventure lovers is guaranteed with more than 13 adventure sports, including the 450 meters long Zip Line passing atop the Gira water fall, zorbing, ground obstacle and high rope obstacle, tree walk, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, ATV tours, tracking, etc.

The Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited(GTCL) has introduced a 2 nights/3 days monsoon package. Day 1 arrival at Saputara, check in hotel, local sight seeing on own, eco point, wagh bari, step garden, artistic village, log hut, museum, lake, sunset point, rope-way etc visits. Dinner and night halt at Saputara. Day 2 option of any one tour from the local sight seeing tour. Dinner and night halt at Saputara. Day 3 check out after break fast.

The Tourism department has revamped its Toran hill resort facility after increased tourist arrivals thanks to the recent promotion drive of this tourist spot by bollywood mega star Amitabh Bachchan. Amitabh Bachchan calls Saputara the “Aankhon ka Taara” of Gujarat