Culture
Garba
A community dance around a lamp through the nine nights.
When
The nine nights of Ashwin.
Region
Gujarat
Garba is danced in a circle around an earthen pot or a lamp. Dandiya is the form with sticks. The nine forms of the goddess are the story of the nine nights. A city's large garba and a village garba are both alive. Loud music is a new cover. The circle is old.
Gujarati families have carried Navratri abroad as their most public culture. Keep the lamp at the centre there too. Do not make only a stage. Children should know the meaning: this is a circumambulation of the goddess, not only a night programme.
This is a general introduction. Sequence, materials, and timing change with family, region, and shakha. Your priest and your own custom have the last word.