The folk dance festivities for Gujarati Mandal of Central Ohio's (GMOCO) annual flagship event - Garba & Dandiya Festival are set to unfold on September 13, 26, and 27, marking a tradition that has graced our community for 58 incredible years. The largest community Garba & Dandiya festival in Ohio will be hosted in the heart of Central Ohio, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on September 13. The Voice of Vadodara - Gutam Dabir and his group will be performing live at the event. 

On September 26 and 27 we are bringing the largest folk dance party to Lewis Center making it easier for families to attend. The Lewis Center location includes free parking. Garba & Dandiya Festival will also feature special activities such as free folk dance workshop, Cultural Ambassador, Junior Garba Jam, Folkdance Showcase, Kanya Puja and Aarti Thali competition. 

Event Title: Garba & Dandiya Festival 2025

Organized By: Gujarati Mandal of Central Ohio's (GMOCO.org)

Event Tagline: The 58th Annual Garba & Dandiya Festival

Event Tagline: Largest community Garba & Dandiya Festival in Ohio

Event Tagline: Central Ohio’s Garba & Dandiya Tradition

Date & Venue: Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 7:00pm onwards at Greater Columbus Convention Center (Union Ballrooms)

Date & Venue : Friday, September 26 and Saturday September 27, 2025 - 7:00pm onwards in Lewis Center

More info and event tickets: https://gmoco.org/garba

Flyer, Promotional Material: gmoco.org/garbapromo

Garba & Dandiya Festival will also feature special activities that are are designed to give you a taste of the tradition and enhance your experience:

• Garba & Dandiya Workshop: Free lessons in Gujarati folk dance for all age groups in the two weeks leading up to the event. Learn more: https://gmoco.org/gdw 
• Cultural Ambassador: Our members have the opportunity to extend a warm welcome to someone of non-Asian Indian heritage to join the festivities, with their entry ticket graciously covered by GMOCO. Discover more: https://gmoco.org/ca 
• Folk Dance Showcase: Experience the vibrant energy, mesmerizing dance steps and colorful outfits at our Folk Dance Showcase featuring a series of curated performances by some of hte best Gujarati folk dancers in Central Ohio.
• Junior Garba Jam: A kid-friendly zone specially designed for our young folk dance enthusiasts, complete with dedicated instructors. Explore further: https://gmoco.org/jgj 
• Aarti Thaali Competition: Express your artistic side by decorating a traditional thali used for the Aarti ceremony. Let your imagination shine through colors, lights, and symbols of devotion. Whether you're inspired by traditional designs or modern creativity, this is your chance to make something beautiful that honors our culture. View details:  https://gmoco.org/atc
• Kanya Puja: Participate in the auspicious ceremony celebrating the feminine power on the sixth day of Navratri, Saturday, September 27. Additional info: https://gmoco.org/kp

The Gujarati Mandal of Central Ohio (GMOCO) is a vibrant cultural non-profit organization committed to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Gujarat in Central Ohio. Established in 1967 as a 501(c) (3) organization, GMOCO has been a cornerstone for over 1000 families, fostering a sense of community and cultural pride.

Our mission is to sustain and propagate the Gujarati (Asian-Indian) culture through a variety of social, educational, and traditional events. We strive to provide a platform for cultural expression and community engagement, ensuring that the rich traditions of Gujarat are passed down to future generations.

The President's Charter for 2023-2024 emphasizes a commitment to enhancing community engagement, fostering cultural education, and expanding outreach. GMOCO aims to unite Gujarati groups and enhance cultural awareness. This vision includes strengthening partnerships with local organizations, increasing participation in our events, and promoting the richness of Gujarati heritage.

Through the collective efforts of our dedicated members and volunteers, GMOCO continues to be a beacon of cultural preservation and community spirit in Central Ohio. Join us as we celebrate our heritage, embrace our values, and build a stronger, more connected community.

Folk dancing is an integral part of any celebration in the Gujarati culture and Garba is the go-to dance. Garba is performed in a circular pattern and characterized by a sweeping action from side to side. The dancers move counterclockwise in circles and if space is constrained dancers form concentric circles with their unique sequence of steps but in the same rhythm as everyone else.

Dandiya-Raas is performed by dancers using decorated wooden sticks called dandiyas, striking them together in harmony with the music. This dance symbolizes the playful time between Krishna and the gopis. With its vibrant costumes and infectious rhythm, Dandiya Raas brings people together in a festive and joyous celebration embodying the energy, excitement, and colors of Gujarati tradition.

In December 2023, UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage added "Garba of Gujarat" to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription acknowledges Garba as an important traditional dance form from Gujarat, India. The folk dance is celebrated for fostering social cohesion and is inclusive of diverse communities, strengthening social bonds across the region. More on UNESCO’s website.

Navratri means nine nights. Nava means nine, and ratri means night. The feminine divinity in the form of Nava Durga is celebrated during Navratri. The Garba & Dandiya folk dances are performed during the nine days of Navratri. These folk dances are popular all over India and around the world especially for their unique dance format, energy, costume, and significance.  It has a profound spiritual significance that celebrates fertility, honors womanhood and pays respect to an array of mother goddesses.

The significance of each day of Navratri is attached to a form of the divine mother.

1. On the first day of Navratri, we propitiate Devi Shailaputri so that we may also attain the highest state of consciousness.
2. On the second day, we worship Devi Brahmacharini so that we may meditate and explore our inner divinity.
3. The third day is dedicated to Devi Chandraghanta so that we may try to withdraw from the quirks of the mind, with a single focus on the divine mother.
4. The fourth day is dedicated to Devi Kushmanda so that we may receive her divine energy that helped manifest this entire universe in the form of the cosmic egg (hiranyagarbha).
5. On the fifth day, Devi Skandmata is worshipped so that the motherly aspect of Parvati brings us an abundance of wisdom, wealth, power, prosperity and liberation.
6. On the sixth day, Devi Katyayani is invoked to put an end to all our inner foes that are a hindrance on the path of our spiritual elevation.
7. The seventh day is dedicated to Devi Kalratri, who brings solace, rest, and comfort to our souls.
8. On the eighth day, Devi Mahagauri is celebrated who represents the beautiful and serene aspect of mother nature. She is the energy that propels our lives and liberates us.

The ninth day is dedicated to Devi Siddhidatri who helps bring perfection in life. She takes us beyond the ever-reasoning logical mind to explore the realm beyond time and space.

Invocation of the Mother Goddess (માતાજી નું આવાહ્ન)

The puja for the invocation of the Mother Goddess (માતાજી નું આવાહ્ન) during Navratri is a ritual to invite the divine feminine energy into one's home and heart. In Hinduism, the Goddess, also known as Shakti, represents power, protection, and the source of life. This invocation marks the beginning of Navratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to honoring the various forms of the Goddess.

The ritual involves a formal invitation, where devotees chant prayers, perform rituals, and offer symbolic items like flowers, incense, and food to the Goddess. It’s believed that through this invocation, the divine presence of the Mother Goddess is invited to reside in the space, bringing blessings, protection, and guidance throughout the festival.

For Hindus, this invocation is a way of aligning with the nurturing, protective, and transformative powers of the divine feminine. It emphasizes the importance of seeking the Goddess's blessings to overcome obstacles, achieve balance, and live in harmony with the natural and spiritual world during the festive period.

Ceremonial Installation of Garba Pot (ગરબાની સ્થાપના)

In the context of Navratri, Garba ni Sthapna refers to the ceremonial installation or establishment of a Garba pot, which symbolizes the Goddess and the divine feminine energy (Shakti). The pot, often called a "Garbi" or "Garbha," is filled with water and sometimes sprouted grains, representing fertility, prosperity, and life. A light or lamp is placed inside the pot, symbolizing the presence of the Goddess and the eternal flame of knowledge and power.

During the nine nights of Navratri, devotees worship this pot and dance around it, as it signifies the womb of the universe, nurturing life and creation. This tradition connects the worship of the Goddess with the celebration of life, nature, and the divine feminine.

Ceremonial Worship of Javara/Sprouted Grains (જવારાનું પૂજન)

The ceremonial worship of Javara (sprouted grains) symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and the cycle of life. Javara are grains, such as wheat or barley, that are sprouted and grown in a small pot or tray at the start of the festival. These sprouted grains represent growth, renewal, and the nurturing power of nature.

The act of growing and worshiping the Javara during Navratri signifies the connection between the divine feminine (Shakti) and nature’s ability to sustain life. It’s a way of honoring the Goddess as the source of creation and abundance. At the end of Navratri, the fully sprouted grains are offered to the Goddess, signifying gratitude for the blessings of life, fertility, and prosperity.

This practice reflects the deep spiritual relationship between humans and nature, with an emphasis on growth, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence.

Kanya Puja

Kanya Puja is a significant ritual during Navratri, acknowledging the divine feminine power within young girls. According to legend, the Goddess Durga assumed the form of a Kanya (young girl) to defeat the demon Kalasur, freeing the world from his tyranny. This story highlights the strength and purity of the feminine energy, even in its youthful form.

During Kanya Puja, young girls are invited to symbolize the nine forms of the Goddess, representing different aspects of power, compassion, and wisdom. The girls are worshipped, offered food, gifts, and blessings, as it is believed that honoring them brings the presence of the Goddess into one’s home. This ritual serves as a reminder of the sacredness and strength of the feminine energy in all its forms, from childhood to womanhood.

In essence, Kanya Puja during Navratri celebrates the Goddess's power and invites her protection and blessings by recognizing her divine presence in the innocence and strength of young girls.

The Garba & Dandiya Festival, organized by the local cultural non-profit Gujarati Mandal of Central Ohio (GMOCO.org), began with a few families in the late 1960s and now attracts over 2,500 attendees from diverse backgrounds. This beloved festival has allowed multiple generations to connect with their rich cultural heritage through vibrant and energetic folk dances, which are popular across India and globally. Known for their unique dance format, colorful costumes, and deep spiritual significance, this festival celebrates fertility, honors womanhood, and pays respect to various mother goddesses. GMOCO’s Garba & Dandiya Festival proudly continues this 1,000-year-old tradition.

Gautam Dabir – A Versatile Singer, Composer, and Music Educator

Gautam Dabir a.k.a The Voice of Vadodara is a highly acclaimed Indian singer, composer, and music educator known for his soulful voice, diverse musical talents, and deep-rooted cultural knowledge. Hailing from Vadodara, Gujarat, Gautam represents a unique blend of classical training and modern musical sensibilities, making him one of the most versatile performers in the Indian music landscape. His voice carries a rich tone, depth, and versatility, enabling him to excel in both traditional and contemporary music styles

Vadodara Navratri Festival (VNF)

Gautam Dabir’s AAROHI group has been performing at the Vadodara Navratri Festival (VNF) since its inception in 2016. Hosted at the Navlakhi ground, VNF attracts 50,000 people each day during the nine days of Navratri. VNF is known for its pure, vibrant and rich traditional Garba of Vadodara. 

Early Life and Musical Influence

Music runs in Gautam Dabir’s blood. He was born into a culturally rich family with a strong musical heritage. His mother, Shashi Dabir, and grandmother, Mangala Joshi, a renowned classical vocalist from the Gwalior Gharana, played a pivotal role in introducing him to the world of music. From an early age, Gautam was exposed to classical music, devotional songs, and the vibrant traditional Garba culture of Vadodara, which deeply influenced his musical journey.

Classical Training and Musical Style

Gautam underwent rigorous classical training under Shri Hemant Kothari of the Agra Gharana, which laid a solid foundation for his musical career. Over time, he mastered various musical genres including:

• Folk and Garba
• Indian Classical Music
• Ghazals
• Bhajans and Devotional Songs
• Sufi Music

Accomplished Performer and Composer

Gautam Dabir has performed across India and internationally, winning hearts with his soulful performances. He is the creative force behind several unique thematic musical productions such as:

• “Hum Dono” – A celebration of romantic duets
• “Sukoon” – A soothing collection of ghazals
• “Fan Se Fun Tak” – A fun-filled musical experience with Bollywood favorites
• As a composer, he has released multiple devotional and contemporary albums, including:
• Say Yes To Life – Motivational music for youth
• Ananda Tandava, Niranjani, Madhava – Soulful devotional albums
• Tere Aane Se – A spiritual album launched at the Art of Living Center by Sri Sri Ravishankar
• Gautam has also created jingles and event music for organizations such as the Vadodara Marathon and other cultural events.

Mentor and Educator

Apart from his performance career, Gautam is a respected music educator. He founded Aarohi Music Academy, where he trains aspiring singers in classical, semi-classical, and light music. His academy also offers voice culture and speech workshops, contributing to the grooming of the next generation of musicians.

Gautam is also an academician, with a Master’s Degree in Commerce and Communication Studies. He has worked in television production and currently lectures in Media Management and Radio Production at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

Spiritual and Social Initiatives

Deeply connected with the Art of Living Foundation, Gautam actively performs in Sumeru Sandhya and various spiritual events. He founded the Youth Concert for Peace, a musical initiative to spread peace and harmony through bhajans and Sufi fusion music, especially among young audiences.

Summing It Up

Gautam Dabir is a multifaceted artist who beautifully bridges tradition and modernity. His melodious voice, profound musical knowledge, and commitment to cultural preservation make him a cherished figure in India’s musical fraternity. Whether performing devotional bhajans, entertaining with Bollywood melodies, or mentoring future musicians, Gautam Dabir continues to enrich lives with his music.