Garba
Graceful circles around the garbo — a decorated earthen lamp symbolizing the divine light within — set to devotional songs.
23rd celebration · Free entry
Navratri on Newark Avenue
Four nights of garba, dandiya and devotion on the street that IndiaSquare calls home. New Jersey’s largest street Navratri is free and open to every family.
Festival schedule
Two weekends, four nights
Newark Avenue closes to traffic and opens to garba. Every night is free, family friendly and alcohol-free.
16OCT
Friday · Night 1
Celebrated
17OCT
Saturday · Night 2
Celebrated
23OCT
Friday · Night 3
Up next · 2 days to go
24OCT
Saturday · Grand finale
Sat · 7 PM ET
Venue
Newark Avenue, Jersey City
Between Kennedy Blvd and Tonnelle Ave — the heart of IndiaSquare, Jersey City, NJ 07306.
Short walk from Journal Square PATHSecurity on site every nightAlcohol-free family event
Get directions 
The meaning of Navratri
Nav means nine. Ratri means nights.
Navratri honors the Mother Goddess across nine nights of worship, music and dance, from the first to the ninth day of the bright half of Ashwin. It celebrates Goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasur — the triumph of good over evil.
Devotees fast and pray for health and prosperity, and each evening begins with puja to Ambe Maa. Then the circles form: men, women and children dance garba and dandiya raas around the Goddess late into the night.
Mahakali
Strength & courage
Mahalaxmi
Prosperity & abundance
Mahasaraswati
Knowledge & wisdom
Traditions
What happens on the street
Rooted in Gujarat, now danced by everyone — on Newark Avenue more than fifteen thousand people join the circles each night.
Dandiya Raas
Pairs strike colorful dandiya sticks in rhythm — a joyful re-enactment of the Goddess’s battle, and the crowd favorite.
Aarti & Mandvi
Nightly aarti to Ambe Maa, and the carved mandvi shrine lit with ghee lamps that devotees honor through the dance.
Visitor guide
Plan your night at IndiaSquare
Free for everyone
No tickets, no entry fee. Bring the whole family.
Alcohol-free
A devotional, family event — alcohol is not allowed on site.
Safe & secure
Security and local police are present throughout every night.
Getting here
Take PATH to Journal Square and walk to Newark Ave. Street parking is limited.
Bring your dandiya
Dress in chaniya choli or kurta and bring your own sticks to join the raas.
Can’t make it?
Every night streams live online. Watch here.
FAQ
Good to know
Is Navratri at IndiaSquare free?
Yes. Entry is free every night. Donations to Govinda Sanskar Center help keep it that way.
When does it start each night?
Each festival night begins at 7 PM ET — see the schedule above for every date. Follow our social pages for updates.
Can my business have a booth?
Yes — booths on the street are part of our sponsorship packages. See Sponsors.
How can I perform or volunteer?
Register on the Participate page and our team will contact you.
What if it rains?
Weather updates are posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages on the day of the event.
Keep Navratri on IndiaSquare free for everyone.
Donate to Govinda Sanskar Center, or sponsor the festival and reach the whole community.