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Dangs Darbar: the forest kings' durbar at Ahwa
Old forest kings receive their pension, and the villages dance in long chains
Dangs Darbar is a fair at Ahwa, the headquarters of Dang district in the forested hills of south-east Gujarat, organised every year by the district administration just before Holi: 18–21 March 2027 (expected). At the darbar the government hands an annual pension to the five hereditary kings of the Dangs, the district collector hears people's grievances, and then village groups from across the district dance to their own instruments. It ends with a Holi fire.
The dates follow Holi; the Dang collectorate in Ahwa notifies the darbar a few weeks ahead.
The legend
The Dangs were once ruled by Bhil kings and chiefs. For the lease of their forests, they and their retainers were paid an annual sum at a durbar.
The custom lives on: the government still hands a pension to five old Dang rulers at the fair in Ahwa, while the district collector hears people's grievances.
Customs
Village dances
Dancing is the main draw: village groups perform to their own instruments, such as the kahalia and tadpur.
Holi fire
On the last day a Holi fire is lit and coloured water is sprinkled over the gathering.
Why the kings still hold court
The Dangs were ruled by Bhil kings and chiefs. Under an agreement of 1842 with the East India Company, their forests were leased to the British, and the kings, chiefs and their retainers were paid an annual sum at a public durbar.
The custom has outlived the states it belonged to. The five kings of the Dangs are the only hereditary royals in India whose titles the government still recognises, and every year at Holi they come to Ahwa in decorated carriages to receive the payment, called shirpav. The old court also survives in another way: people still bring their grievances to the darbar, where today the district collector hears them.
In old texts the region is called Danda Aranyaka, the bamboo forest. Ahwa, at about 549 metres, was chosen as the district headquarters by James Outram before 1857.
What you see at the fair
The first part is the darbar itself, with the pension ceremony for the kings. Dancing is the main draw after that: groups from the district's villages perform to their own instruments, such as the kahalia and the tadpur, and compete with one another. The district administration lists the Kahadya dance among Dang's cultural traditions. The second day is the best for the dancing.
On the day of the darbar, people also go to worship Nag Devta, the snake deity. On the last day a Holi fire is lit and coloured water is sprinkled over the gathering. About 94 per cent of the district's people belong to scheduled tribes, so the fair is first of all the district's own festival, with visitors welcome to watch.
How to get to Ahwa
Distances are from the district administration's site.
- By air — The nearest airport is Surat, about 141 km from Ahwa.
- By train — Dang has no broad-gauge line. The nearest main stations are Navsari (about 101 km), Valsad (about 110 km) and Surat (about 141 km). A narrow-gauge train runs into the district from Bilimora.
- By road — Ahwa is on Gujarat State Highway 14, and NH 350 passes through Waghai. State Transport buses connect the district with Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad.
- Where to base yourself — Saputara, the hill station of the same district, can be combined with the darbar.
Before you go
A few things to check.
- Dates — The darbar follows Holi and lasts a few days, ending around Holika Dahan, the bonfire night: 18–21 March 2027 (expected). The Dang collectorate in Ahwa notifies the dates a few weeks ahead.
- Crowds — FCDO notes that stampedes have occurred at large gatherings. Keep track of your group around the dance grounds.
- Photography — Ask before photographing people up close, especially at the darbar ceremony and in family groups.
- Holi and other fairs — More about the festival the darbar leads into on the Holi page. North Gujarat's tribal Chitra Vichitra Fair follows a few weeks later, at the new moon after Holi.
FAQ
What is Dangs Darbar?
A fair at Ahwa in Gujarat's Dang district, held before Holi, where the government pays an annual pension to five hereditary Dang kings, followed by tribal dance performances.
Where is Dang district?
In the south-east of Gujarat, in the Saputara hills; its headquarters is Ahwa and its hill station is Saputara.
When is Dangs Darbar 2027?
18–21 March 2027 (expected). It is held over a few days just before Holi, usually between late February and late March.
What is the history of Dangs Darbar?
Under an 1842 agreement with the East India Company, the Bhil kings and chiefs of the Dangs leased their forests and were paid an annual sum at a durbar. The payment continues today as a pension.
How do I reach Ahwa?
The nearest airport is Surat, about 141 km away; the nearest main railway stations are Navsari, Valsad and Surat. State buses run from Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad.
Sources (6)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.