Garba
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The circular devotional dance of Gujarat around a lamp, danced through the nine nights of Navratri.
Where: GujaratWhen: Navratri (Sharad Navratri, September–October)UNESCO heritage 2023
How it is performed
- A garbo, an earthen pot with holes and a lamp inside, is placed at the centre with an image of the Goddess.
- Dancers move in concentric circles around it, clapping and stepping in rhythm to devotional songs and the dhol.
- Dandiya Raas, danced with pairs of decorated sticks, often follows.
Significance
The lamp in the pot symbolises the divine energy within every body (garbha means womb). The circle stands for the cycle of life. Garba brings together people of every age and background. UNESCO inscribed it in 2023.