Navratri 2026: Gujarat Announces Grand Garba Festival Dates

The Gujarat Tourism Board, in collaboration with the state's Department of Cultural Affairs, has officially announced the dates for the grand Navratri Garba celebrations scheduled for September 22 to October 1, 2026. The nine-night festival will feature state-sponsored events across all 33 districts of Gujarat. The centerpiece event will be held at the newly constructed 50-acre Navratri Mahotsav Ground in Ahmedabad, capable of accommodating 1.5 lakh dancers simultaneously. The venue features a 150-foot tall illuminated replica of Goddess Durga at its center, surrounded by concentric rings designed in traditional rangoli patterns using LED lighting. Gujarat Chief Minister announced a Rs 75 crore budget allocation for Navratri 2026, the highest ever for the festival. This includes Rs 25 crore for the Ahmedabad main event, Rs 30 crore distributed among district-level celebrations, and Rs 20 crore for international promotion. UNESCO representatives have been invited to observe the festival as part of Gujarat's bid to get Garba recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Online registration for the Ahmedabad mega event opens on August 1, with passes available in categories ranging from free general entry to Rs 5,000 premium experiences. International charter flights from the UK, USA, and East Africa are being organized by Gujarat Tourism for the NRI diaspora.