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Dressed in a white loincloth with a colourful scarf tied at the waist, a green shirt and a red turban, the traditional Rathwa attire, the musicians lead the procession
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The Rathwa festival is a wild celebration where alcohol flows despite Gujarat state prohibition
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Rathwas derive their name from the word rathbistar, which means an inhabitant of a hilly region
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The annual festival is a golden opportunity for Rathwa women coming from small villages and hamlets to mingle with each other, flirt and date
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The rhythmic beats of the Ram Dhol (big drum) create an atmosphere of infectious energy
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Men dressed as peacocks parade through the village streets with their constant hip motions causing the brass belts to ring in unison
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During festivals Rathwa people cover their face and body with a white paste made from ash and rice flour
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The white lines and dots on face and body are reminiscent of the big cats that once roamed the region
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Line of peacock dancers rehearsing their performance with the Ram dhol (big drum) in front
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The girls in each village wear matching sarees. They probably get together before the event to pick the colour for the year!
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Boisterous teenagers holding a sugarcane stick dancing through the streets trying to make an impression on girls
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Thousands of Rathwas from as far as Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra flock to Kavant for the annual festival
