Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Gujarat CM Opens 2026 Vibrant Navratri Festival in Ahmedabad
Gujarat's Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, opened the 2026 Vibrant Navratri Festival in Ahmedabad.
The festival celebrates Garba, a traditional dance from Gujarat.
People from around six countries, including ambassadors, attended the opening.
Patel said the festival helps more people around the world learn about Gujarat's culture.
He also spoke about preserving traditions while supporting development.
An exhibition at the event showed products and handicrafts made by women in self-help groups and Sakhi Mandals.
Patel met some of the women and asked about their work.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the 2026 Vibrant Navratri Festival at GMDC Ground in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The state government's Tourism Department organised the festival, attended by ambassadors from around six countries and state and local representatives.
Patel said the festival has helped bring international recognition to Gujarat's traditional Garba dance.
He connected cultural heritage initiatives with development, invoking the phrase “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” (heritage as well as development).
Patel also opened an exhibition of home-based industry products and handicrafts made by women associated with self-help groups and Sakhi Mandals.
- Who
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the festival; ambassadors from around six countries and state and local representatives attended.
- What
- The 2026 Vibrant Navratri Festival was inaugurated, alongside an exhibition of women-made products and handicrafts.
- When
- Sunday; the article identifies it as the 2026 edition but does not give a calendar date.
- Where
- GMDC Ground, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- Why
- The festival seeks to showcase Garba and Gujarat's cultural heritage to an international audience.
Heritage
Development
Balancing tradition and progress
Heritage
Patel stressed preserving Gujarat's cultural heritage and traditions, including Garba.
Development
Patel also linked cultural initiatives to development and described the approach as “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” (heritage as well as development).
- Festival
- 2026 Vibrant Navratri Festival
- Inaugurated by
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel
- Venue
- GMDC Ground, Ahmedabad
- Organiser
- The Gujarat state government's Tourism Department
- International attendees
- Ambassadors from around six countries
- Exhibition organiser
- Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company
- Exhibition participants
- Women associated with self-help groups and Sakhi Mandals