Garba, a traditional folk dance from Gujarat, is at the heart of the nine-day Hindu festival of Navratri. Performed in concentric circles to devotional songs, as an ode to Goddess Amba or Durga, the dance form was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023.
Every night during Navratri, young men and women in vibrant attire gather on sprawling grounds across Gujarat to dance. At the historic Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, one of the city’s most iconic Garba venues, the festivities draw over 80,000 young people. Hosted by the Gaekwad royal family at one of the world’s largest private residences, this celebration has a story of its own — one of inclusion and acceptance.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community gather here in large numbers, and some choose this occasion to come out. “This is where we feel accepted the way we are,” says one participant.
Their presence is woven into the religious rituals as well as the revelry. Members of the community are part of the core temple team, helping with the nightly puja for Ma Ambe under a sacred banyan tree known as Bolto Ambo. With special access to the shrine, they perform seva and offer prasad.
Radhikaraje Gaekwad, who initiated the inclusive Garba, says the idea took shape during her COVID-19 relief work, when she undertook several initiatives to connect with the community. Today, its members help shape the celebrations in many ways, from crafting jewellery and preparing food to dancing through the night at the palace. For them, the Garba is more than a festival; it is a space where they can find acceptance and a sense of belonging.
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
Safe space: The idea for inclusive Garba struck Radhikaraje Gaekwad while doing relief work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, for the community, it is more than just any festival.
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
Famed stage: The Navratri special Garba at Lakshmi Vilas Palace, hosted by the Gaekwad royal family in Vadodara, draws over 80,000 people every year.
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
A labour of love: Nami loves decorating the sacred tree at the venue with bangles, just as she loves making jewellery. Her creations, sold at a local café, are popular among buyers.
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
The gracious host: Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Maharani of Vadodara, prays to Bolto Ambo, a sacred tree with a painting of Ma Ambe by her father-in-law, Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad.
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
Star draw: Swetlana, a social media sensation with a following of her own, loves dancing at the Garba every year
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
In sync: Revellers move in circles to devotional tunes during the Garba, a traditional folk dance from Gujarat that is central to the nine-day Navratri festival
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
Out and about: Ketan, 65, proudly shows off his jewellery and the clothes he designed for this year’s Navratri. He came out to his then wife 20 years ago.
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
Shared effort: The queer community helps shape the celebrations in many ways, from crafting jewellery and preparing food to dancing through the night at the palace
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
Bling and glitter: The participants dress up in their finest and most brightly coloured clothes for the festival
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
Sacred roles: Abhiraj, a member of the core temple team, prepares for the sacred pujaat Bolto Ambo and offers prasad to devotees
Photo: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit
Warm welcome: For many, the celebration offers the freedom to be themselves. In every circle, they find a place to belong
Published - October 18, 2026 07:55 am IST