Navratri in Gujarat: flying home for garba and dandiya

Navratri dates for 2027

Sharad Navratri, the autumn festival of the goddess, runs for nine nights. In 2027 it begins on 30 September and ends on 9 October, with Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, following. Diwali is on 29 October and the Gujarati New Year on 30 October, so many families fly out for Navratri and stay through Diwali.

Festival dates follow the Hindu lunar calendar and shift each year, so always check the dates for your local community before you book.

Why Navratri is special in Gujarat

Nowhere celebrates Navratri like Gujarat. Every night, towns and cities fill with garba and dandiya raas, from small society gatherings and village squares to enormous ticketed events with live singers. Women wear chaniya choli and men wear kediyu, and the dancing often goes on well past midnight.

For families in Britain, it is a chance to dance with relatives, to see children learn the steps where they began, and to visit temples such as Ambaji, Pavagadh and Bahucharaji at their most vibrant.

When to book

Navratri and Diwali are the two biggest peaks of the year on flights to Gujarat. The Air India non-stop from Gatwick to Ahmedabad and the best-timed one-stop flights sell out first, often months ahead, and fares rise steadily as the dates approach.

If you can, book by early summer for a late September departure. If you are flexible by a day or two either side, we can often find a better fare.

Our tip: Fly out a day or two before the first night. Arriving rested means you can dance from the start, not sleep through it.

Which airport

Choose by where your family is.

The big garba nights

Vadodara is famous for some of the largest garba events in the world, and Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot all have huge grounds with live music. Tickets for the best-known events can sell out, so ask relatives which ones they go to and book early.

Many people prefer the smaller society and village garbas, where the whole community dances together. Ambaji and Pavagadh see vast numbers of pilgrims during the festival.

Packing for Navratri

Chaniya choli, kediyu, jewellery and shoes for nine nights take up a lot of space. Check the baggage allowance on your exact fare before you book, as the cheapest fares can carry less. If you are buying outfits in India, leave room for the return.

See our baggage guide for what to check, and tell us what you are carrying so we can price the right fare.

Staying on for Diwali

With Diwali on 29 October 2027 and the New Year the day after, a trip from late September to early November covers both festivals. Return flights in the first days of November are busy as families head back to the UK, so book the return at the same time as the outward flight.

If your stay is long, check that your Indian visa or OCI covers it, and that your travel insurance covers the whole trip.

Weather in Navratri

Late September and October in Gujarat are warm and can still be humid as the monsoon ends. Evenings are pleasant for dancing, but bring light, breathable clothes for the day and stay hydrated after long nights of garba.

Navratri with children and grandparents

Children love Navratri, but late nights add up. Plan quieter days between the big nights. For grandparents, arrange wheelchair help on the flights and choose a route without long night connections. See our guides to flying with children and assisted travel.

Temple visits during Navratri

Navratri is a special time to visit Ambaji, Pavagadh, Bahucharaji and the family kuldevi temple, but expect very large crowds. Go early in the morning, and on weekdays if you can. Our Gujarat temple pilgrimage guide explains the main temples and how to reach them.

Learning the steps before you go

If your children have not danced garba before, a few classes in the UK before the trip make a big difference. Many temples and community centres in Britain run garba nights in the weeks before Navratri, and the basic two-clap and three-clap steps are quick to learn.

Dandiya raas, with sticks, is a little harder, but most circles welcome beginners and relatives are always happy to teach.

What to wear

Women usually wear chaniya choli, a flared skirt with a short blouse and dupatta, often mirror-worked and colourful, with oxidised jewellery. Men wear kediyu, a short flared top, with dhoti or churidar. Many families buy new outfits in the markets of Ahmedabad, such as Law Garden, in the days before the festival.

Comfortable flat shoes, or bare feet where it is allowed, are essential for nine nights of dancing.

Dussehra and Sharad Purnima

Navratri ends with Dussehra, when effigies of Ravana are burnt in some places and many families eat fafda and jalebi in the morning. Sharad Purnima, the full moon a few days later, brings another night of garba in many towns, with doodh pauva eaten under the moonlight.

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