Patna: Nearly 2,000 km from their ancestral homeland, Gujarati families in Patna have kept their cultural traditions alive through Navaratra celebrations. For them, Garba is more than a dance form; it is a way to preserve their heritage, strengthen community bonds and pass on customs to younger generations.For nine nights, families gather to light diyas, perform aarti and sing traditional folk songs in praise of Mata Rani (Durga). The celebrations combine religious rituals with efforts to maintain a connection with their ancestral roots.“Every day, we light a diya, perform aarti and sing traditional Garba songs in praise of Mata Rani. These rituals continue for nine days, bringing everyone together in prayer and celebration. On the tenth day, we worship the Garba before immersing it in water,” said Arpita, a member of the community.She said Garba had evolved considerably over the years. Traditionally, dancers moved in concentric circles around an earthen pot with a diya inside. Today, performances often feature elaborate choreography and contemporary styles, though their devotional roots remain.Pankaj Bhai Kothari, joint secretary of Shree Patna Gujarati Samaj, said around 119 Gujarati families lived in Patna, with celebrations organised mainly in Mithapur, Biknapahari and Patna City.“We all contribute towards the celebrations. We consider the entire community one big family and celebrate every occasion together. This year too, the Navaratra celebrations are being held from Oct 11 to 19,” said Kothari, a third-generation Gujarati whose grandfather moved from Morbi to Patna before Independence.Ramesh Bhai Kamdar, president of the Gujarati Samaj, pointed to similarities between Gujarat’s Garba and Bihar’s Jhijhiya dance forms. Both feature women dancing in circular patterns with earthen pots carrying lit lamps.For these families, Navaratra is an annual homecoming of sorts. Though generations have grown up in Bihar, the rhythm of Garba continues to connect them to Gujarat, proving that distance need not weaken cultural ties.
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