garba is popular among both, men and women and is performed during the festival of navratri. the dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. mata ambe, who rides a lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious gujarati. the 'janmastami mela' is organised for five days at the race course grounds to celebrate janmastami. diwali is one of the most important festival and is usually a week long holiday. rajkot municipal corporation arranges the annual fireworks show for the citizens of rajkot during the diwali festival. the festival of eid is also celebrated by the muslim population.