GOL FERIYO MELO

Rumadiya is a small village in Chhotaudepur district of Gujarat State .This village and nearby regions are stronghold by the Rathwa tribal community who had migrated from the close by hilly regions of Madhya Pradesh . Holi is the most popular festival in India and importance of this festival is more to the Rathwa tribe .They celebrate Holi with two big fairs ,one 'Chul no Melo' held the next day after Dhuleti holi in Rumadiya village . Thousands of tribal come to attend these fairs dressed in their most colourful dresses headgears . Women can be seen decked in heavy silver ornaments of family heirlooms transferred from generations The men sport traditional weapons like sticks, swords, machetes bow and arrows etc and take a lead in the dance procession. All these activities during this mela catches the eyes of many tourists worldwide every year. The biggest attraction of the Rumadiya fair is 'Chul no Melo'. It is a unique 'Gol Feriyo Chakdol' ( merry go round) for one or two people. One or two men hang on a rope which is swung by five or six strong persons in the middle of this merry go round.