American Navratri: A weekend affair of community & tradition

Navratri comes first to America and then to India.

- DR ARPAN YAGNIK

Why do I say this? I say this because all the major singers start coming to America 30-45 days before the actual Navratri begins. They travel all over the US ensuring Indians get their fill of Garba and Raas over the weekends. Once they have conquered America, they return to India to conquer it. In the United States, Navratri has evolved into a unique blend of tradition, culture, and community spirit, showcasing the rich tapestry of Indian heritage.

In USA, the "nine nights" have for all practical purposes become nine weekends. With the work culture being much more stringent here, it is perceived to be impossible to play garba consecutively for nine nights, hence they happen from weekend to weekend.

As Indian and especially Gujarati communities have grown across the United States, so has the celebration of Navratri. Major cities with significant Indian populations, such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Houston, see elaborate celebrations that attract thousands of participants. These festivities often include traditional Garba and DandiyaRaas dances, where attendees dress in colorful chaniya cholis and kediyas to move rhythmically to live music.