Tail-wagging tale: Ahmedabad hosts garba nights for dogs and their parents
Pet-friendly Navratri in AhmedabadAhmedabad is fast becoming a city of pet parents. As of February 2025, more than 2,900 dogs were officially registered, and their humans are increasingly keen to include them in cultural celebrations. This September, as the city gears up for its Navratri revelry, another kind of garba night is in the offing — one where pets take centre stage.“We Gujaratis are garba lovers. I often met pet parents who wished they could bring their dogs along, but there was no such space. Being a pet parent myself, I thought — why not,” asks Vaidehi Bhatt who is organising Pawratri 2025, an evening dedicated to dogs and their owners on September 20 at Pooja Party Plot on 132-feet ring road.Bhatt has paid attention to the details that matter: a lawn instead of synthetic turf for comfort, soft lighting, and most importantly, no loudspeakers. A recent Hong Kong study has shown that sound levels deemed safe for humans (about 70 decibels) may still be stressful for dogs with their more sensitive hearing.Pawratri has already drawn 80 canine registrations and an expected turnout of nearly 300 pet parents and dog lovers.What’s in store for the dogs!Designated zones for dogs that may be more aggressiveA vet and ambulance on standbyFresh food for dogs from local pet-food brandsStalls ranging from quirky accessories to a “dog dating appLive paw-painting sessionsCostume competitions, giveaways, and 360° photo boothsMoreover, traditional attire is encouraged — both for pets and their humans.Dogs dressed in Gujju attires for garba night!The idea of Navratri-with-pets is slowly weaving itself into the city’s cultural fabric. At Paow Wow Ratri last week, for instance, the Shahs – Karan and Khyati Shah – brought together 32 dogs and 45 people for an intimate evening. What stood out was not just the costumes or music, but the simple joy of shared moments.“At one point, when the dogs were tired, all of us sat in a circle and played garba clapping our hands with our paw babies. That mental picture will stay with me forever,” recalls Khyati.For Ahmedabad’s growing tribe of pet parents, these events are more than novelty — they are about creating memories. Garba, after all, has always been about community. This time, it just happens to have a wagging tail.
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| Pet-friendly Navratri in Ahmedabad |
Ahmedabad is fast becoming a city of pet parents. As of February 2025, more than 2,900 dogs were officially registered, and their humans are increasingly keen to include them in cultural celebrations. This September, as the city gears up for its Navratri revelry, another kind of garba night is in the offing — one where pets take centre stage.
“We Gujaratis are garba lovers. I often met pet parents who wished they could bring their dogs along, but there was no such space. Being a pet parent myself, I thought — why not,” asks Vaidehi Bhatt who is organising Pawratri 2025, an evening dedicated to dogs and their owners on September 20 at Pooja Party Plot on 132-feet ring road.
Bhatt has paid attention to the details that matter: a lawn instead of synthetic turf for comfort, soft lighting, and most importantly, no loudspeakers. A recent Hong Kong study has shown that sound levels deemed safe for humans (about 70 decibels) may still be stressful for dogs with their more sensitive hearing.
Pawratri has already drawn 80 canine registrations and an expected turnout of nearly 300 pet parents and dog lovers.
What’s in store for the dogs!
- Designated zones for dogs that may be more aggressive
- A vet and ambulance on standby
- Fresh food for dogs from local pet-food brands
- Stalls ranging from quirky accessories to a “dog dating app
- Live paw-painting sessions
- Costume competitions, giveaways, and 360° photo booths
Moreover, traditional attire is encouraged — both for pets and their humans.
 |
| Dogs dressed in Gujju attires for garba night! |
The idea of Navratri-with-pets is slowly weaving itself into the city’s cultural fabric. At Paow Wow Ratri last week, for instance, the Shahs – Karan and Khyati Shah – brought together 32 dogs and 45 people for an intimate evening. What stood out was not just the costumes or music, but the simple joy of shared moments.
“At one point, when the dogs were tired, all of us sat in a circle and played garba clapping our hands with our paw babies. That mental picture will stay with me forever,” recalls Khyati.
For Ahmedabad’s growing tribe of pet parents, these events are more than novelty — they are about creating memories. Garba, after all, has always been about community. This time, it just happens to have a wagging tail.
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