Navratri celebrations across the world

Wherever Gujaratis go, they take a piece of Gujarat with them; and as Navratri approaches, revellers away from India have also been tapping their feet to the garba beats. While everyone in the state decks up in traditional finery for nine nights, preparing for the world’s longest dance festival, even global Gujaratis pick up the dandiya and get set for the Navratri festivities. AT brings a round up of Navratri snapshots from celebrations across the world.
Australia
Some parts of Australia have already started celebrating the festival. A few dance evenings already taken place in cities like Brisbane, with more in the pipeline. “Navratri in Melbourne is celebrated as traditionally as it is in India. Artists like Atul Purohit have already performed here. We have more performers slated to entertain us, but their details are awaited,” says Rutvi Patel. Navratri celebrations in Melbournetakes place only during weekends.
Africa
Navratri celebrations in Kampala will take place from October 1-10, exactly the same dates as in India. We have a community center in the city where we gather every year for the celebrations. Lohana Samaj in Kampala and Patidar Samaj organize various garba events separately and invite artists from India,” says Karishma Chandarana who’s been living in Kampala for six years. Navratri in Nairobi too takes place on a very huge scale where thousands of Indian gather for garba events.
New Zealand
“Ratri before Navratri has already taken place in Auckland in August, and we had Achal Mehta from India as the artist,” says Maitree Trivedi. The same garba night also took place in Wellington last week. “That was just a warm up round, the actual garba nights will commence from September 30 at Mahatma Gandhi Center,” adds Trivedi. Entry to these events usually cost around $10 per person, pretty much similar to ticket prices in India.
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London
There are a host of events to choose from in London. Every community center has planned a garba event, so that NRGs don’t feel homesick. “South Wimbledon Community Centre, Kingsbury Green Primary School, Harrow Leisure Centre, Sudbury Primary School Wembley, The Brahmin society North London are just a few places to choose from that will host garba events this year,” says Heta Bhatt. Achal Mehta and Atul Purohit are among the musicians who will perform in UK this year too. “We don’t miss out dancing on Sharad Purnima as we have another garba night planned too,” says Bhatt. A lot of venues have dress codes too.
Canada
According to Dhwani Bharadwaj who’s been living in Toronto since a year Navratri takes place on specific dates for the convenience of NRGs. “This year’s dates haven’t been announced yet, but we are going to have sheri garba at an Indian association in the city.” Atul Purohit’s garba is organised in Toranto on September 25. Some also take place in Ontario.
California
“In California famous dance troupes and artists from India come each year to make sure we don’t miss Navratri back home,” says Mitul Parekh. Artists like Falguni Pathak, Atul Purohit have separate garba nights where Indians from nearby areas to participate. “Priti and Pinky who are NRIs and have been currently participating in a dance show too lined up for this year where they will be dancing,” adds Parekh. Apart from well-known artists, even local artists who perform on all nine nights of Navratri making it a grand affair. Gujarati Cultural Association of Bay Area host a lot of Navratri nights. This year garba nights by the association are fixed for September 30, October 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 which are weekends when it is easier for everyone to join in.
New York
“In New York a lot of garba events take place, and they are fun since a lot of people attend these, but they somehow they don’t feel like the ones we have back in India,” laments Eshani Pareek. “The biggest garba in New York is held at a stadium in Jersey City where Atul Purohit is a regular performer. We also have Devang Patel coming here every year. It’s the closest we can get to the Navratri celebrations in India and we make the most of it,” says Pareek.
New Jersey
“The only difference between Navratri celebration in India and the one in New Jersey is that ours continues till 2 am,” says Shaiva Pandya, a city based student in New Jersey. “A lot of garba events take place through the Navratri month. The Navratri celebrations take place on weekend,” adds Pandya. During Navratri, “there is an Indian street on Newark avenue which Gujaratis with “torans” and on specific days when the event is planned the entire street is closed to public or traffic.”
Singapore
In Singapore there are loads of Navratri events to choose from. Sengkang Community Center and Anchorvale Community Center are two venues that host most garba nights. Though Indian artists rarely perform here, the revellers play garba on music system or a professional dholi is called to perform,” says Naresh Acharya. Around 300- 400 Indians participate in the garba that is organized by Gujarati Association, but the events are held only for a day or two. “The events see people from Bengal, Punjab and other states of India too who all come together to celebrate,” says Acharya.