Garba and Navratri 2026 in India: State-wise and City-wise Guide

Quick answer: Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday 11 to Monday 19 October 2026, with Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami both on Monday 19 October and Dussehra (Vijayadashami) on Tuesday 20 October (Drik Panchang, India). We found 85 upcoming Garba and Dandiya events in 25 Indian cities. Gujarat's Garba grounds mostly run every night from 11 to 19 or 20 October. Outside Gujarat, most events fall on the weekend of Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October. Part 1 explains how each region marks Navratri; Part 2 lists events city by city.

Last updated: 7 October 2026.

Part 1: Why Garba and Navratri matter, state by state

Navratri is the nine nights of the Goddess. Across India the same nine nights are kept in very different ways: as Garba circles in Gujarat, as Durga Puja in Bengal, as doll displays in the South and as Ramlila in the North. For the puja itself, see our complete 9-day Devi worship guide and Navratri around India.

Gujarat: Garba, Garbi and Raas

In Gujarat, Navratri is Garba. Each evening, people gather around a garbo, a clay pot with a lamp inside, or an image of Ma Amba, and dance in circles around it. Garba is mainly danced with clapping and turning steps, Garbi is a closely related circle form, and Raas, including Dandiya Raas, is danced with pairs of sticks. Garba happens everywhere: in housing societies and old-city pols (the sheri garba), in temple courtyards, and on large ticketed grounds and party plots. Our Navratri 2026 Gujarat Garba guide and Dussehra 2026 in Gujarat cover the state in more depth.

Many Gujarati families also visit Devi temples during Navratri. Ambaji in Banaskantha district, revered as a Shakti Peetha of Ma Amba, and the Mahakali temple on Pavagadh hill near Champaner draw large numbers of pilgrims in these nine days. We did not find a 2026 Navratri schedule announced by either temple trust when we checked on 7 October 2026, so check the temple trust's official website for current timings and arrangements.

Maharashtra: Garba-Dandiya, Ghatasthapana and the colour of the day

In Mumbai, Thane and Pune, large Garba and Dandiya nights are a big part of Navratri, alongside Devi temple visits. At home, many Marathi families perform Ghatasthapana on the first day, installing a kalash and sowing grains that sprout over the nine days. Maharashtra is also where the custom of wearing a set colour each day of Navratri became popular; see the Navratri 2026 colours list and Dussehra 2026 in Maharashtra.

West Bengal, Odisha and Assam: Durga Puja

In the East, the heart of the festival is Durga Puja, with pandals, the worship of Ma Durga with her children, and immersion after Dashami. Kolkata's pandals are famous, Cuttack in Odisha is known for its silver work, and in Assam families visit pandals in Guwahati and the Kamakhya temple. See Durga Puja 2026 dates in Kolkata, Durga Puja in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam.

Karnataka: Mysuru Dasara

Karnataka's Navratri is Dasara, and Mysuru's royal celebration, with the illuminated palace and the Jamboo Savari procession on Vijayadashami, is its best-known form. Read our Mysore Dasara 2026 guide and Dasara 2026 Karnataka district wise.

Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh: Golu and Bommala Koluvu

Families in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh arrange steps of dolls, called Golu or Bommala Koluvu, invite friends and neighbours each evening, and exchange gifts. See Bommala Koluvu and Golu 2026 and Navarathri 2026 Tamil Nadu.

Telangana: Bathukamma

Telangana's women celebrate Bathukamma, building flower stacks and singing around them in circles before immersing them in water. Read Bathukamma 2026 dates and Bathukamma's significance for Telangana.

Kerala: Saraswati Puja and Vidyarambham

In Kerala, the last days of Navaratri are devoted to Saraswati. Books and tools are placed for worship (Pooja Veppu), and on Vijayadashami young children are initiated into letters in Vidyarambham. See Navaratri and Vijayadashami in Kerala and Saraswati Puja and Vidyarambham.

Himachal Pradesh: Kullu Dussehra

Kullu Dussehra is unusual: it begins on Vijayadashami itself, when village deities are brought to the Dhalpur ground to join Lord Raghunath, and continues for a week. See the Kullu Dussehra 2026 guide.

North India: Ramlila and Devi temple worship

Across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and neighbouring states, Navratri means fasting, Devi temple visits, Kanya Pujan on Ashtami or Navami, and evenings of Ramlila that end with Ravan Dahan on Dussehra. Read Ramlila, Kanya Pujan 2026 and Ravan Dahan 2026 city-wise.

Part 2: Garba events 2026 by city

Event status key: Confirmed means the date and venue appear on the organiser's page, an official tourism listing or the event's ticketing page. Announced means the event is announced but some details, such as the exact address, are not yet published. Listed — confirm with organiser means we found the event only on a third-party listing such as AllEvents; treat it as likely, but check before you go. Where a listing omits the year, the date column says so.

Commercial Garba in India is usually ticketed with daily or season passes. Passes and tickets are sold on the listed event page; we do not list prices or performers.

Gujarat

Gujarat has by far the most Garba. In Ahmedabad we found 22 listings and in Gandhinagar 5, led by the state's Vibrant Navratri Festival, listed by Incredible India for 11 to 20 October 2026 at GMDC Ground (Gujarat Tourism's own page still showed the 2025 details, so confirm the venue). See the full tables in Garba 2026 Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Vadodara has three listings, including the United Way of Baroda Garba Mahotsav at M M Farm, Atladara, from 11 to 19 October: see Garba 2026 Vadodara. Other Gujarat listings:

Lunawada and Buhari are listed by the Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India site. The Buhari Garba is held at the Ramji Mandir, a reminder that much of Gujarat's Garba still happens at temples and in villages, free and without tickets.

Delhi NCR, Hyderabad and Bengaluru

We found eight listings in each of these three metros. Delhi NCR events are spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad and are mostly on 16 to 18 October; see Garba 2026 Delhi NCR. Hyderabad has multi-night events starting from 10 and 11 October and weekend events from 16 October, including one by the Cyberabad Gujarati Association: see Garba 2026 Hyderabad. Bengaluru has a community Navratri Utsav with the Shree Indiranagar Gujarati Association from 11 to 19 October, plus several club and restaurant dandiya nights: see Garba 2026 Bengaluru.

Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai

The Herwa Navratri ticket page names the venue as The Walk, Mumbai, while its description names Hiranandani Estate in Thane; check the page for directions.

Pune and Nagpur

Goa

Chennai

Kolkata

Kolkata's Garba and Dandiya nights run alongside Durga Puja, so roads near the big pandals can be very crowded in the evenings; allow extra travel time.

Rajasthan: Udaipur and Jaipur

The Garbo Udaipur listing shows times that look like placeholders, so check the event page for the actual start time.

Madhya Pradesh: Indore

Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow

No Garba listed in your city?

We list only events we could find on official or ticketing pages on 7 October 2026. Much of India's Garba is never listed online. To find one near you:

• Housing societies and colonies: many apartment complexes hold their own free Garba each night; ask your society committee.
• Gujarati Samaj and community associations: most cities have a Gujarati, Kutchi or Marwari association that announces Navratri plans on its website or social pages.
• Devi temples: Amba, Durga and Kali temples often hold aarti followed by Garba in the courtyard.
• Colleges: student cultural committees frequently organise a Garba or Dandiya night.

Safety and practical tips

• Late nights: Garba often goes on until late. Plan your trip home before you set out, travel in a group, and share your live location with family.
• Women's safety: note the city police and national women's helpline numbers on your phone before you leave, and use registered cabs or well-lit, busy routes.
• Passes: buy only from the organiser or the listed event page, and beware of resale offers on social media.
• Parking and traffic: big grounds draw heavy traffic; check the venue's page for parking and consider shared transport.
• Children: keep little ones in the outer circle, agree a meeting point and carry water.
• Dress codes: some events require ethnic wear or are vegetarian and alcohol-free; read the event page.

Why Garba is devotional

Garba is worship in motion. The circle of dancers moves around the garbo lamp or an image of Ma Amba, and, as traditionally understood, the lamp stands for the Divine light within every life and the circle for the cycle of time around the Goddess at the centre. That is why evenings begin and end with aarti. Read Garba meaning and spiritual significance, the history of Garba from Gujarat to the world and Navratri mantras and prayers before Garba.

First-timer tips

• Dress: see our Garba dress guide.
• Steps: start with the simple two-clap step. Our Garba for beginners guide explains it.
• Garba or Dandiya? Many Indian events are billed as dandiya nights. See Garba vs Dandiya Raas.
• Etiquette: bow to Mataji on arrival, stand for the aarti, do not cut across the circle, and follow the event's rules on food and alcohol.

Details change — always confirm date, venue and tickets on the organiser's official page before you travel. Listings are for information; HinduTone is not affiliated with organisers.

Also read: Garba 2026 worldwide: all countries.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Garba near me in India in 2026?

Gujarat has the most Garba, with listings in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Lunawada and Buhari. Outside Gujarat we found events in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Udaipur, Jaipur, Indore, Lucknow and Bicholim (Goa). If your city is not listed, ask at the local Gujarati Samaj, a Devi temple or your housing society.

When is Garba in India in 2026?

Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday 11 to Monday 19 October (Drik Panchang, India), and Dussehra is on Tuesday 20 October. In Gujarat most Garba grounds run every night of Navratri, and some continue to 20 or 21 October. Outside Gujarat many events are on the weekend of 16 to 18 October.

Is Garba free in India?

Society, street and temple Garba is usually free for residents and devotees. Most of the large events listed here sell passes or tickets on the listed event page, so check there for pass options. A few school and community events state free entry with registration, such as the Garba Night at VIBGYOR High in Belapur, Navi Mumbai.

What should I wear to Garba?

Women usually wear a chaniya choli and men a kediyu or kurta, but any bright, modest Indian outfit is fine. Some events ask for ethnic or traditional dress, so check the event page. Wear comfortable flat footwear or be ready to dance barefoot where the ground allows. See our Garba dress guide for more.

Can non-Gujaratis join Garba?

Yes. Garba is open to everyone who joins with respect. Across India, people of every region and community dance Garba during Navratri. Start in the outer, slower circle, stand for the aarti and follow the steps of the people around you.

Is there Garba in Delhi, Hyderabad or Bengaluru in 2026?

Yes. We found eight listings each in Delhi NCR, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. They are covered in detail in our separate city pages for Delhi NCR, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, linked from this guide.

Editor's note (7 October 2026)

We compiled the event tables on 7 October 2026 from organiser pages, the Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India listings and official ticketing pages, and marked events seen only on third-party listings. We do not include ticket prices or performers. Navratri and Dussehra dates follow Drik Panchang for India. Organisers set and may change the details, and we will update this page as more Garba nights are announced.

Related guides

• Navratri 2026 Gujarat Garba guide
• Garba 2026 Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar
• Garba 2026 Vadodara
• Garba 2026 Delhi NCR
• Garba 2026 Hyderabad
• Garba 2026 Bengaluru
• Navratri 2026 NRI guide
• Dussehra / Vijayadashami 2026