Navratri nights get younger as Garba shows barrel towards a crescendo

Bengaluru: With Navratri under way, all roads in Bengaluru lead to one venue or another hosting Garba performances! Gujarati communities in the city have turned up the festive dial, transforming neighbourhood playgrounds into tinkling hubs of dance, devotion, and delicious food. From old-timers teaching the perfect dandiya moves to kids showing off their fusion ghagra-choli styles, the city's streets are alive with colour and rhythm.
Navratri wouldn't be the same without the vibrant touch of Gujarati culture, and this year, Bengalureans are fully embracing it.From lively dandiya raas and energetic garba to the rhythmic heech and spirited sanedo, the city is dancing its heart out this Dasara, making these traditional celebrations a local favourite. What makes this year's celebration truly stand out is that the city's oldest and most renowned Gujarati association, Bangalore Vaishnav Samaj, is marking a special occasion — its 100th Navratri festival.
Rohit Patel, chairperson of Bangalore Vaishnav Samaj, expressed his pride at how the association has preserved its cultural heritage through Navratri celebrations. He told TOI: "By celebrating Navratri each year, we honour the legacy of our ancestors and the founders of this association. Reaching the milestone of 100 years of celebrating our culture fills us with immense pride. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our vibrant community." This century-old tradition has become a cornerstone for Gujaratis in Bengaluru, creating a strong sense of identity and unity.
On the other hand, Jayanagar Samyukt Mandal Association is celebrating its 50th Navratri this year. Sanjay Doshi, president of this association, said, "This golden jubilee is not just a celebration of tradition, but our pride of unity and dedication to our community over the years. What started as a small gathering has grown into a festival that brings together generations, old and new, to celebrate our culture with the same enthusiasm and devotion as our founders envisioned. I look forward to seeing how we continue to grow and carry this legacy forward for many more Navratris to come."
Praful, a member of Shree Indiranagar Gujarati Association, is eagerly anticipating the ongoing Navratri celebrations. "With 36 years of lively festivities behind us and a community of over 1,500 passionate Gujarati families, we anticipate welcoming around 1,000 attendees each evening for our Navratri event. Everyone is excited to dance the night away to all four traditional Gujarati dance forms."
There are more than 35 Gujarati associations located across the city, including neighbourhoods like Rajajinagar, Kumara Park, RT Nagar, Indiranagar, Jayanagar, Whitefield, and Gandhinagar.
When and where: Navratri roundup
1. Bangalore Vaishnav Samaj
Dates: Oct 3 to 12
Time: 8pm onwards
Venue: Gate no. 5, Palace Grounds
2. Jayanagar Samyukt Mandal
Dates: Oct 3 to 12
Time: 6pm onwards
Venue: Star Convention Centre, JP Nagar 7th Phase
3. Shree Indiranagar Gujarati Association
Dates: Oct 10 to 12
Time: 7.30pm onwards
Venue: SBR Palace, Tulasi Theatre Road, Marathahalli
4. Whitefield Gujarati Association
Dates: Oct 5 to 12
Time: 6pm onwards
KMM Royal convention centre, Whitefield-Hoskote road
5. Shree Bangalore Gujarati Brahma Samaj
Dates: Oct 3 to 11
Time: 9pm onwards
Venue: Gayatri Bhavan, behind fire station, Rajajinagar