Culture of Jamnagar

Jamnagar is a city with modern outlook blended with economic prosperity. The constant growth of the city has led to a better lifestyle of the people. Popularly known as the ‘Oil City of India’, Jamnagar (formerly Nawanagar) was first built in 1540 AD as the capital of the princely state of Nawanagar. Today, more than 500 years later the city has transformed itself into a prosperous economic hub with strong deep-rooted traditions.
The 500 year old city of Jamnagar boasts itself on its rich tradition and its effortless ability to embrace modernity.  Jamnagar residents believe in enjoying life to the fullest in their own unique and colorful way.

People of Jamnagar

People of Jamnagar mostly speak the Gujarati language and the Kathiawadi dialect which is used in day-to-day communication. However Kutchi language is also spoken in some sections of the city. Hinduism is the major religion with approximately 65% of the population being Hindus.  Muslims and Jains are the other two big communities.  Religion plays an important part in the lives of Jamnagar residents with a number of venerated Hindu and Jain temples dotting the city.

Art and Craft in Jamnagar

Jamnagar is renowned for its ‘bandhej’ work.  The centuries old process involves the art of tying thousands of knots on a piece of fabric and dying the fabric in different colors.  ‘Bandhej’ fabrics are sold in numerous shops around the Darbargadh and Chandi Bazaar areas and are a popular export item. In addition to ‘bandhej’, Jamanagar is well known for its decorative brass items which are sold in plenty.

Festivals Celebrated in Jamnagar

Festivals are an integral part of the life of a Jamnagar resident. Most notable are festivals like Holi, Janmashtami, Navratri, Diwali, Makar Sankranti, Ramnavami, Mahashivratri and Mahavir Jayanti which are celebrated with pomp and grandeur.  In the recent year’s festival tourism has gained momentum in the region wherein traditional customs like garba, kite flying are celebrated with much fanfare to attract tourists. The Kite Festival during Makar Sankranti is popular in Jamnagar with locals and tourists competing to fly kites of all shapes and colours.  Folk dance is an integral part of major festivals with garba and rasa featuring prominently in all festivities. Music plays an important part in the life of Jamnagar residents. Temple music and folk songs are the most popular genres of music.  The numerous Hindu and Jain temples of Jamnagaer have contributed immensely to preserving the rich traditions of folk music and the usage of traditional music instruments which are used extensively during festivals and marriage ceremonies.

Traditional Attires of Jamnagar People

Despite the modern economic revolution local people in certain sections of Jamnagar continue with the traditional form of dressing.  Men mostly wear cotton drawers (chorno) and a short tunic on the upper part of the body along with a thick multicolored turban.  Women are dressed in long petticoat (chaniyo), a short blouse (choli) and a colorful scarf (odhni). Silver jewellery is hugely common and Chandi Bazaar area in Jamnagar sells traditional thick jewellery.

Sports in Jamnagar

Sports notably cricket plays an important part in Jamnagar’s cultural heritage.  Jamnagar features prominently in India’s sporting history with Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s path breaking contribution to the game.  Not only was he instrumental in building the city but is fondly remembered for laying the foundations of the India’s most popular sport. The tradition was carried forward by his successor K.S Duleepsinhji. The prestigious Ranji and Duleep trophies are tributes to the former rulers who laid the foundations of the game.  Cricket is taken seriously in Jamnagar with a number of noteworthy cricket players like Ajay Jadeja, Ravindra Jadeja, Salim Durrani, Vinu Mankad hailing from the city.