Garba, dandiya & devotion: The many moods of Navratri

The first time I stepped into a dandiya celebration in Vadodara, I realised how a festival could feel familiar and completely new at the same time.

It was 2024, and I had travelled from Jamshedpur, where Navratri meant the unmistakable sound of the dhak, beautifully decorated Durga Puja pandals and visits with family and friends. Gujarat’s garba and dandiya nights, however, were a world I had known mostly through music, photographs and stories. I was curious to experience them for myself.

Vadodara did not disappoint.

The city came alive after sunset, with colourful traditional outfits, dazzling lights and the infectious rhythm of garba. Dressed in traditional attire, I joined the celebrations as Falguni Pathak’s music filled the air. At the centre stood the idol of Mata, surrounded by dancers moving to the rhythm of garba and dandiya.

Soon, I was dancing too, trying to keep pace and even learning a special dandiya sequence. I missed a few steps, but that hardly mattered. The joy lay in being part of the celebration.

What stayed with me most was how easily strangers, families and friends came together. For those few hours, everyone belonged.

For Vadodara resident Hetal Patel, this sense of belonging is central to Navratri.

“For us, Navratri is not just nine nights of dancing. It is a way of expressing our devotion to Maa Ambe and staying connected to our traditions,” she says.

Another Vadodara resident, Dhruv Shah, sees dandiya as a celebration that brings people of different ages and backgrounds together, fostering happiness, unity and pride in Gujarati culture.

For Khusboo Mistry, Navratri is more than a festival; it is an emotion she eagerly awaits every year. Her excitement for garba is such that, as soon as January arrives, she begins checking dates for the upcoming celebrations.

At the heart of the festival is the worship of Maa Shakti. Garba, performed in circles around the Goddess, symbolises the eternal cycle of life. Beyond its music and energetic dance, the celebration conveys a message of unity and equality.

Growing up in Jamshedpur, I associated the festive season with the sound of the dhak and the grandeur of Durga Puja pandals. In Vadodara, I discovered another expression of the same devotion through swirling garba circles, rhythmic dandiya sticks and nights that seemed reluctant to end. The settings were different, but the feeling was familiar.

Navratri also holds deep spiritual significance. Dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, the festival is marked by prayers, fasting and rituals such as Kanya Puja on Ashtami or Navami. It culminates in Dasehra, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.

Perhaps that is what makes Navratri special. Its traditions may vary, but faith, music and shared celebrations bring people together.

As Navratri 2026 approaches, Chandigarh and the Tricity are gearing up for evenings of garba, dandiya and festive gatherings. Having experienced Vadodara’s celebrations, I am now looking forward to discovering Chandigarh’s festive spirit.

My friends here have told me so much about the city’s dandiya nights that I can hardly wait to join them on the dance floor. This time, I look forward to familiar faces, shared laughter and new memories.

From Jamshedpur’s dhak beats to Vadodara’s dandiya rhythms, my Navratri journey has shown me how differently devotion can be celebrated. Now, Chandigarh awaits, with the promise of another festive experience and memories to cherish.