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gujarat

Gujarat in India is the home of Garba and Raas. Every year Garba events are organised in the most splendid ways in vast grounds under the open sky, beneath radiant stars, under the gaze of a glowing moon. They go on till late local politics permitting, and the resolve and buzz is there to continue dancing till the dawn rises for another day. Dances are also held in small villages and courtyards and the range on offer is wide from intimate family type gatherings to events with upwards of 30000 people attending. Given that Gujarat is the home of Garba and Raas the radiance of the festival, and the passion of the people takes over whole towns and cities for all nine nights and there is nowhere better to be on the planet, than in Gujarat, at Navratri time.

united states

Gujarati Communities all over North America organise Navratri Garba and Raas dances on a major scale in America. Many of the Universities and colleges also have Raas Garba teams who compete nationally several times a year in well organised competitions. The Dandiya Raas dance in North America has become hugely popular in the last twenty years and is usually staged in state wide competitions which has led to the dance being mixed and mingled with other forms of music and western themes and settings.

britain

Navratri happens at the onset of winter and the weather is damp and cold. The people having just enjoyed the summer months are preparing to stay in during the windy autumn nights; it becomes difficult to build up the enthusiasm and passion to put on your glad rags and go out for nine or less nights to the Navratri events. However most, if not all, Gujarati communities take the trouble to arrange Navratri events with many people giving much of their time and resources to help the organisers. There is competition, between different organisations in large cities, for the best halls. The people, despite the cold weather, take the time and effort to attend, and despite the overcrowding they dance with passion and devotion.

world

Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe and many places in between. Garba events take place in over 500 cities all over the world and wherever there are Gujaratis there is Garba and there is Raas.