Ahmedabad: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani inaugurated the grand Vibrant Navratri-2019 at a glittering function here this evening, as a socio-religious autumn festival with manifestation of Gujarat’s own folk dance form ‘Garba’ that goes through nine nights of music and mirth.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that Navratri identified as the world’s longest holistic dance festival to invoke the blessings of Mother Goddess, worshipped as Aadya Shakti, has over the centuries become Gujarat’s own brand image. The festival attracts tourists from different states of India and abroad.

The dance festival is linked to Gujarat’s own biennial flagship event, called Vibrant Gujarat Summit held in January alternate year and to the International Kite Festival held during the Makar Sankranti in mid-January. Vibrant Gujarat Summit was started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

He said the festival is topped up with food courts, children’s joyrides and crafts stall to make it a unique ambience and experience.

Mr. Rupani said that the monsoon has also been very benevolent on Gujarat this year, eliminating the specter of drought a heralding bumper crop. He wished the rain god always smile on Gujarat and the state scales the height of development.

He also released the Gujarat Tourism Corporation’s quarterly magazine, ‘Khushbu Gujarat Ki’.

Those present on the occasion included Ministers Bhupendrasinh Chudasma, Saurabbhai Patel, Pradipsinh Jadeja, Vasanbhai Ahir, Ishwarsinh Patel, MP Kiritsinh Solanki, Ahmedabad’s MLAs, Mayor Bijal Patel, Chief Secretary J.N. Singh, Envoys of several countries, GINFS’ Dhanraj Nathwani, among others.