Disclaimer: The author has been residing in Gujarat since her birth and has lived in Ahmedabad for over 13 years now. Most of the recommendations in this article are from her personal experiences. Also, this post contains a few affiliate links. If you click on them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read about our editorial policies.
As the world’s longest dance festival kicks off in October, the state of Gujarat is preparing to deck up with the most vibrant lights, sound systems and colorful attire. Gujaratis can never get enough of Garba. The dance is performed in massive numbers by the community to celebrate Navratri, a nine-day festival dedicated to Hindu goddess Maa Amba (or Maa Durga).
Although Garba can be performed anytime of the year, it’s the huge gathering of revelers during Navratri that makes Ahmedabad’s live Garba nights a grand and unmissable affair. Dressed in shimmery, intricately-embroidered chaniya cholis and kediyu, large crowds match steps and energy with each other to the beats of dhol, which is a spectacle to watch and participate in.
Such is its mania that with each passing year, Garba venues are being added to the landscape of Gujarat and pre-Navratri Garba events are being held even before the beginning of the actual festival, which will be celebrated between September 22 and October 2 in 2025! These days, post-Navratri Garba nights are also hosted at a lot of venues, so that enthusiasts who may have missed out on the festival for any reason, can catch up on the lost fun.
In this article, you will find a detailed guide to the best Garba in Ahmedabad, where to shop for the festival, and famous places to eat post an all-nighter dance gala. We will also give you a sneak peek into the flavors of Garba in other major cities of Gujarat, such as Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara. Let’s get started?
Contents
Types of Garba in Ahmedabad
Garba at party plots: Party plot events are the most common and famous garba venues in Ahmedabad today. Organized in almost every corner of the city, party plots’ garba passes are mostly sold online and see millions of people dance during the nine nights of the festival. Each plot is uniquely decorated and attracts crowds from different walks of life.
If you want to experience Garba like a local, this is a must-do on your list while in Ahmedabad. Go plot-hopping and see how each plot celebrates their own unique garba event.
Garba at colleges and universities: Just as famous as party plots, Garba at the colleges are quite well-known across Ahmedabad. Though most colleges or universities do not let outsiders enter the premises, there are some like Karnavati University and HL College that sell garba passes in Ahmedabad to outsiders. Try and grab one for yourself and your friends.
Garba at clubs: Karnavati Club, Rajpath Club, Sports Club, YMCA Club and Eka Club are some of the popular clubs that have been hosting Garba nights for many years now. At one point, it was mandatory for any Garba enthusiast to spend at least one evening at any of these clubs. With many venues being added over the last few years, clubs have started seeing less takers. But, the affection for them have remained the same.
Garba in housing societies: Almost every housing society organizes its own Garba event in Ahmedabad each year. Everyone from the youngsters, middle-aged and senior citizens residing in these societies revel in the spirit of Garba together. While it is open for all and entry is free, a few societies do not let outsiders enter the event now as a security measure.
Garba in the pol: It is no suspense that Ahmedabad is a World Heritage city. Its pol areas are the most protected pieces of architectural heritage. You can head to the Bhadra Fort Navratri festival in the old city to enjoy the Sheri Garba (a type of garba in which dancers perform the same steps in huge circles)
Did You Know?
On the eighth day of Navratri or Ashtami, a place called Sadu Mata Ni Pol sees men perform Garba dressed in sarees. As per local folklore, they were cursed many eons ago and as a mark of respect, men have been dressing up in sarees and offering prayers through Garba over the past few decades. It is a spectacle one must not miss.
Garba in gaam: Within each area of Ahmedabad lies these hidden gems – a gaam (village). The Garba events that take place at these gaams are different from the ones performed in the urban part of the city. Go to the Vastrapur gaam or Makarba gaam to experience a distinct evening, which usually starts with Mataji ki Aarti (prayers), followed by Sheri Garba.
Garba at Vibrant Gujarat: The Vibrant Gujarat garba, organized by the Government of Gujarat, is an open event that sees thousands of people throng the GMDC grounds through the nine days. There are assigned areas from where people can just watch the performances.
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Garba Shopping In Ahmedabad
As most Garba venues do not allow participants who are not wearing traditional attire, the first step to celebrating Navratri will be shopping for garba dresses in Ahmedabad, which is essentially a chaniya choli for women and kurta or kediyu for men.
One place that absolutely comes alive with shoppers 2-3 months before the onset of Navratri is Law Garden. Look around this street and all you can see is Garba outfits like chaniya choli, kediyu, kurta, colorful jewelry and Garba accessories like embroidered umbrellas, dandiya sticks and more.
Other places like Rani No Hajiro in Manekchowk and Dhalgalwad also offer amazing choices for Garba attire. You can buy Kutchi work chaniya choli, mirror-work blouses and patchwork kediyus for men at these places.
Spoil yourself with some oxidized jhumkas and bangles that will help accessorize the Garba look perfectly. This year, the streets are also offering oxidized clutches in various shapes and sizes.
TWT Tip: Make sure you are aware of your surroundings and protect your belongings from pickpockets while shopping. Bring along a local friend/relative if possible for bargaining.
Local Food Crawl In Ahmedabad’s Garba Season
There is much more to Gujarati food than the fafda, khakhra and jalebi, popularized by Bollywood films. To try some of the authentic local food after a long and tiring dance, you can visit some of Ahmedabad’s late-night restaurants, cafes and street food wagons that are much loved by local Garba revelers. During the day, don’t forget to try an authentic Gujarati thali. Here are some of our food recommendations:
Late night food-hopping post Garba
Manekchowk: Amdavadis are well-known for adding their own twist to foods. Post Garba, head to Manekchowk, a popular street food area, to gorge on some Amdavadi street foods like the yummy Pineapple Sandwich, Cheese Chocolate Sandwich, Ghughra Sandwich or the Bhakhri Pizza. After a filling meal, wash it off with some Falooda or fruit shots.
Law Garden: One of the oldest street food gallis, Law Garden is where most of the well-known city brands were born. From Asharfi’s Kulfi to Honest Pav Bhaji, one can try varied dishes at this bustling street, which is relatively less crowded than Manek Chowk.
Cafes/Laaris of SG Highway or Sindhu Bhavan road: Sindhu Bhavan road has emerged as the new hangout place amongst the youngsters. The street is lined with laaris (handcarts) and cafes that offer coffees, lasagnas, cheesecakes and Maggi among other offerings.
SG Highway has open-to-sky cafes that offer delicious Maggi bhajiya, another popular street food in Ahmedabad. You will also find waffles, dosas, soya chaaps and more.
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Buffet at a restaurant: Most restaurants remain open until late night during Navratri. They also offer Navratri fasting food for the ones who observe fast during the nine days. Restaurants also line up a different spread of buffet for each night.
Gujarati thaali hotspots
While in Ahmedabad, one cannot miss trying an authentic Gujarati thaali that must be on the list of every tourist. It usually consists of a huge variety of all-vegetarian dishes, including Bhakhri, Dhokla, Undhiyu, Jalebi, Thepla, Meethi Dal, Khichdi, Kadhi and more. Here are some places where you will find delicious Gujarati thaali:
- Rajwadu
- Vishalla
- Godhan Thaal
- Atithi
- The Grand Thakar
Must-try dishes in Ahmedabad
- Bhajiya at Raipur Bhajiya House
- Maggi Bhajiya and Dal Vada on SG Highway
- Ghughra Sandwich, Pineapple Sandwich, Cheese Chocolate Sandwich at Manekchowk
- Falooda, Kulfi at Asharfilal
- Chaats near CEPT University
- Cold Coco near HL College
- Piping hot fafda and jalebis at Oswal Restaurant, Swati Snacks or Chandravillas, a 100-year-old heritage restaurant
How To Cover Garba In Ahmedabad In 2 Days?
Are you going to be in Ahmedabad only during the two-day weekend? Worry not. Here’s a simple itinerary to make the most of those 48 hours:
DAY 1
- First head to Law Garden to grab a chaniya choli or kurta/kediyu for yourself. It’s a must as most places don’t allow entry without traditional clothes.
- Next up, indulge in some street food delicacies along the gallis of CEPT University or HL College, which is open throughout the day.
- To save time, buy Garba passes online. Most places get sold out very quickly and the prices soar up on the day of the event.
- Rest before the evening begins. It is also necessary to hydrate well as Garba nights are long and can be tiring.
- Begin the evening by going to a party plot for garba. These places usually close by midnight as per the police rules.
- Once you have had a taste of plot garbas, go to a nearby residential society to see how they celebrate. Society garbas go on well past midnight.
- Once your feet are tired, grab a meal at one of the famous street food places in the city, such as Law Garden or Manekchowk.
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DAY 2
- Start your second day with a hearty fafda and jalebi breakfast at Chandravillas or Oswal (available throughout the year).
- Then head to Rani No Hajiro in the old city to buy some jewelry for yourself or as a souvenir for family and friends.
- For lunch, go for an authentic Gujarati thali to Rajwadu or Vishalla.
- In the evening, head to Karnavati University to perform garba with the young crowd.
- End the evening by going to one of the many pols within the walled-city to experience the heritage garba in ahmedabad.
Feature image courtesy: Gujarat Tourism
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