The dancers are literally swept off their feet each day at the multitude of garba venues. The Navratri and the garba have become an inseparable part of Gujarat’s identity. The dance form is catching on in other cities as well, where each venue adopts a different flavour yet the end goal remains the same: celebration and community. The dancers revel in folk songs devoted to Amba and Radha-Krishna.
It is notable that Gujarat’s traditional dance form ‘Garba’ is included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Photo:
B. Jothi Ramalingam
Youngsters dressed in vibrant traditional attire perform the energetic Garba dance in Chennai on September 23, 2025.
Photo:
B. Jothi Ramalingam
The garba has been evolving, with innovative steps and music remixes. Chennai revels in garba on September 23, 2025.
Photo:
VIJAY SONEJI
An artist wears a 3.5 kg turban, with the theme of Operation Sindoor, in Ahmedabad on September 01, 2025 to take part in a Garba event.
Photo:
VIJAY SONEJI
A young girl performs garba dance adorning a fully ethnic outfit, with Kutchi embroidery, and mirror work, on the first day of Navratri festival at Sports Club Ground in Ahmedabad, on September 22, 2025.
Photo:
PTI
People perform ‘Garba’ on the second day of ‘Navratri’ festival, in Rajkot on September 23, 2025.
Photo:
PTI
A student dressed in traditional attire takes part in ‘Garba’ dance on the ‘Navratri’ festival, in Surat, on September 23, 2025.
Photo:
AP
People perform Garba in Ahmedabad, on September 22, 2025.
Photo:
PTI
People adhere to tradition in Jaipur, and perform ‘Garba’ during the ‘Abhivyakti Garba Mahotsav’ event on September 24, 2025.
Photo:
PTI
Participants perform during the ‘Abhivyakti Garba Mahotsav’ organised as part of ‘Navratri’ festival celebrations, in Jaipur, on September 24, 2025.
Photo:
PTI
Dancers revel in folk songs devoted to Amba and Radha-Krishna. Women perform Garba in Rajkot, Gujarat, on September 22, 2025.
Published – September 25, 2025 03:31 pm IST
