Navratri fervour: Capital whirls to dandiya beats at Garba fest

The national capital shimmered in festive colours on Friday night as the Global Garba Festival 2025 opened at the historic Sunder Nursery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a three-day celebration blending spirituality, tradition and cultural diplomacy.

To give Delhiites an authentic taste of Gujarat’s most vibrant folk tradition, organisers kept the focus on live music and performances — no DJs, no remixes, only the rhythm of traditional garba. From the very first evening, the grounds came alive with circles of dancers in bright chaniya-cholis, twirling dandiya sticks to the beats of the dhol.

The opening evening began with an aarti and lamp-lighting ceremony by dignitaries and diplomats, symbolising harmony and friendship. Nearly 40 ambassadors joined Delhi’s Minister of Culture Kapil Mishra and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj in

celebrating Navratri.

The highlight of the night was a spirited performance by Geeta Jhala & Band, whose folk renditions had hundreds on their feet.

A soulful presentation by Indresh Upadhyay brought spiritual depth, while a special fusion act with swords and shields drew loud applause. Calling the response “historic,” festival director Shivani Datta said, “This is not just about watching Garba, but about becoming part of it. Tonight, Delhi danced together as one community, celebrating culture without borders.” Beyond the music and dance, craft and food pavilions showcased Gujarat’s rich handlooms, handicrafts and cuisine.

Organised in partnership with Gujarat Tourism and supported by Delhi Tourism and the Global Tourism Forum, the festival positions itself as a bridge between cultures. Over the next two days, visitors can look forward to a concert by Bollywood duo Salim–Sulaiman on Saturday and a grand finale on Sunday featuring Padma Shri Ustad Anwar Khan

Manganiyar & Group.

For many in Delhi, it was their first brush with “Garba in its purest form” — an evening where tradition met celebration and every dancer became a storyteller of Navratri’s eternal rhythm.