Quick Answer
What are garba and raas?
Garba and Raas are traditional Gujarati folk dances performed at pre-wedding celebrations — Garba is danced in circular formations, typically without sticks, while Raas (or Dandiya Raas) involves striking decorated sticks (dandiya) in rhythm with a partner — both central to a Gujarati wedding's sangeet-style events.
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Last updated:
What are garba and raas?
Also called: garba night, dandiya raas.
At a Gujarati wedding, the sangeet night is built around Garba and Raas — the whole floor moving in expanding circles, sticks clicking in rhythm for Raas, in a scale and energy that has become one of the most recognisable parts of Gujarati wedding culture nationally.
In Gujarati — ગુજરાતીમાં
ગરબા અને રાસ એ ગુજરાતી લગ્નના સંગીત જેવા કાર્યક્રમમાં રમાતા પરંપરાગત લોકનૃત્યો છે. ગરબામાં લોકો ગોળ ફરીને, સામાન્ય રીતે દાંડિયા વગર, લયબદ્ધ પગલાં અને હાથની હલનચલન સાથે નાચે છે, જ્યારે રાસ (દાંડિયા રાસ)માં જોડીદાર સાથે સજાવેલી દાંડિયા લયમાં અથડાવવામાં આવે છે. બંનેમાં આખો પરિવાર અને મહેમાનો ભાગ લે છે — આ ફક્ત જોવાનો નહીં, સૌ સાથે ઉજવવાનો પ્રસંગ છે.
The difference between garba and raas
- •Garba — danced in circular formations around a central point (traditionally a lamp or deity image), typically without sticks, with graceful, rhythmic hand and foot movements.
- •Raas (Dandiya Raas) — performed with a partner, striking decorated sticks (dandiya) together in rhythm, often in more dynamic, high-energy patterns than garba.
- •Both are typically performed to live or recorded folk music with a distinctive beat, and both scale to include large numbers of guests, not just a choreographed few.
Planning notes
- •Book dandiya sticks in bulk if hosting Raas at scale — decorated sets are widely available from wedding suppliers closer to the season.
- •Ensure enough open floor space for expanding circular formations, which need considerably more room than a standard dance floor.
- •Confirm whether your venue and sound setup can support a full night of live folk music at the volume and duration garba nights typically run.
Send garba-night details to the right guest list
Weddingkart lets you invite and track RSVPs for the garba night as its own event, separate from the wedding day itself.
See RSVP tracking →Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need dandiya sticks for garba?
No — garba is typically danced without sticks, in circular formations. Sticks are specific to Raas (Dandiya Raas), a related but distinct dance form.
Is garba only performed by professional dancers?
No — garba and raas are participatory folk dances meant for the whole gathering, not a performance to watch. Guests of all ages typically join in throughout the night.
How is a garba night different from a general sangeet?
A general sangeet often features choreographed performances by family and friends across various dance styles; a garba night is specifically centred on communal circular folk dancing (and raas), with the whole gathering participating rather than watching performances.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated