Garba today still begins with taali. The music starts, the circle grows, and the ramzat takes over. The change lies in what people now want around that traditional folk celebration which is an added experience that makes the entire evening memorable.For Amdavad, Navratri has always been about coming together. You get dressed, meet your people, step into the circle and follow the rhythm. The tran taali, the dandiya, the music and the energy remain the heart of the festival. Alongside the traditional Garba, a new experience is finding space. People are also looking at the mahol, the setting, the hospitality and the little details that shape their evening.The Sheri Affair has been exploring this space through its second-night Navratri celebration. Its 2026 edition, Safed Amdavad, takes the idea a step closer to creating an Amdavadi mahol, with the city itself in the forefront. The thought begins with Safed. Be it food, art, culture or the warmth of its people, every element associated with Amdavad has its own identity. Together, they create the larger character of the city. Safed becomes an expression of that coming together.The thought also has a spiritual connection with Navratri, drawing inspiration from Mata Brahmacharini, worshipped on the second day of the festival. The idea continues through The Sheri Affair’s #SpreadSafed For Love & Peace philosophy. Garba naturally brings all of this together. Conceptualised and curated by SamRatri, The Sheri Affair is led by Founder and CEO Sam Modi and Co-Founder Niti Pancholi, a garba enthusiast.Sam says, “Garba has always been about people. The music starts. The circle gets bigger. Someone knows the next step. Someone else simply follows along. Soon, everyone is moving to the same beat. That shared feeling is what makes Garba special.”The experience around it is now getting its own space at The Sheri Affair. Digital entry is designed to make the first step seamless, followed by a curated setting with a photo booth, lounges and dedicated butlers. Security arrangements and guest services are part of the evening, while foot-spa facilities add a quieter pause between the energy of the night.Food also becomes part of the experience. Guests are offered premium food, including desi Amdavadi specialities, as part of the evening. The idea is simple: once inside, guests should be able to enjoy the celebration without constantly reaching for their wallet. This year, the organisers are also curating their own coffee.The organisers are also expecting 150–200 guests from outside India this year for the celebration scheduled for October 12. The traditional garba remains the reason people enter the circle. The music still brings the taali. The ramzat still keeps the night moving. Perhaps that is where Navratri is finding its newest rhythm: keeping the garba at the centre while giving the entire evening a little more to feel, discover and remember.
