West Indian Festivals

Festivals of Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa

About West Indian Festivals — Traditions & Observance

Maharashtra and Gujarat celebrate with unmatched energy. Ganesh Chaturthi transforms Maharashtra for ten days, while Gujarat’s Navratri is the world’s longest dance festival — nine nights of garba and dandiya around the Goddess’s lamp. Gudi Padwa marks the Marathi new year with the raising of the victory banner, and Makar Sankranti (Uttarayan) fills Gujarat’s skies with kites. Each festival blends devotion with community, food and music.

Gudi Padwa

📅 Chaitra Shukla Pratipada

lunar

Maharashtrian new year; erecting a gudi (flag) outside homes

महत्व: Victory of good; new year auspiciousness

🙏 Brahma 🙏 Vishnu

Navratri / Dandiya Raas

📅 Ashwin Shukla Pratipada–Navami

lunar

Nine nights of Garba and Dandiya Raas dance in Gujarat

महत्व: Worship of Amba Mata; community celebration

🙏 Durga 🙏 Amba