How is garba performed during the Navratri festival in Gujarat?

During the nine-day Navratri festival in Gujarat, garba is performed as a joyful celebration honoring the divine feminine. While men may participate, women are the typical performers of this dance.12

The performance follows these traditions:

• Formation: Dancers move in a circle, typically in a counterclockwise direction. If space is limited or there are many participants, they form concentric circles moving in opposite directions.12
• Central Focus: Performers circle around an image of a mother goddess, such as Durga, or a symbolic representation of her creative energy, such as an illuminated clay pot or a water-filled vessel.1
• Movement and Music: The dance is characterized by a side-to-side sweeping action. It begins slowly and gradually increases in speed. Participants sing and keep time by clapping their hands. Musical accompaniment traditionally includes the dhol (double-headed drum), dholak, and metallic idiophones like cymbals, often supported by a harmonium or synthesizer.12