Navratri has always been about dancing in circles, and this week the Chandigarh tricity gets a version with a DJ. Tabletop Socials is hosting Techno Garba Night, a Garba meetup at PartyDay by Hopup in SAS Nagar (Mohali), on Thursday, 15 October. It’s two days away, so if you’re curious, you will need to decide soon.
What Is Techno Garba?
Garba is a Gujarati folk dance performed in circles, traditionally during the nine nights of Navratri in honour of the goddess Durga. Dancers move in rhythmic claps and graceful turns, and dandiya raas adds a pair of decorated sticks that players tap against their partners’ in time with the beat.
Techno Garba keeps the circles, the claps and the festive mood but swaps the traditional live orchestra for electronic production and a DJ. The format is already a big draw in Gujarat. Ticketing sites list dedicated techno and DJ Garba nights in Ahmedabad and Surat this season, and the style has been spreading to other cities. Mohali is now getting its own take on it.
The Event at a Glance
According to the event listing on District, the evening starts at 7:00 PM, with gates opening at 6:50 PM. The venue is PartyDay by Hopup, listed only as “SAS Nagar” without a full street address, so check the booking page or the organiser before you set off. Tickets start at ₹1,749.
Tabletop Socials describes the event as a beginner-friendly Garba techno session. You learn the basic steps, dance to Navratri-themed beats and meet other people. You can come alone, with friends or with a partner. That solo option matters because meetup-style events are designed for people who don’t already have a group to dance with.
What Your Ticket Includes
The listing says the price covers food, mocktails, a DJ, dandiya sticks and access to a bowling arena. Several things stand out here.
Bowling. Most Garba nights are all about dancing, so a bowling arena is an unusual extra. It gives you something to do when your feet need a rest, and it’s a handy icebreaker if you came alone. It’s also a reasonable plan B for friends who aren’t keen on dancing.
Dandiya sticks. You don’t need to carry your own, because the sticks are part of the package.
Food and mocktails. The listing doesn’t say what’s on the menu, and it doesn’t mention alcohol. It’s reasonable to expect a family-friendly evening, but I’d confirm the details with the organizer if that matters to you.
The listing doesn’t say whether the ticket price is per person or what the food package contains, so check that on the booking page before you buy.
Who Should Go
The event page says entry is open to all ages, but everyone needs a ticket, including children. Photo ID is required, and the listing accepts an Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence or passport. Pets are not allowed.
Some groups may find this a particularly good fit:
First-timers. If you’ve watched Garba videos but never joined a circle, a session that teaches the basic steps first takes much of the pressure off. Nobody expects polished footwork.
People new to the area, or new to meetups. Tabletop Socials runs social events built around meeting people, and this one follows the same approach. The structure helps: a shared activity, a bit of guidance and plenty of reasons to talk.
Friend groups and couples. Dancing, bowling and snacks in one evening is an easy plan for a mid-week outing, especially with the festive season in full swing.
Families with older children. Because entry is open to all ages, parents may want to bring kids who like music and dancing. A DJ-led, higher-volume night may not suit very young children, so use your judgement.
Tips for the Night
The event page asks guests to come dressed to groove, and there’s no formal dress code. That leaves room for a traditional chaniya choli or kurta, or just comfortable festive clothes. A few practical suggestions:
- Wear comfortable footwear. Garba involves a lot of turning and stepping. Bowling shoes may be required in the arena, so check the venue’s rules.
- Arrive when the gates open. Getting there at 6:50 PM gives you time to settle in and find a spot before the dancing builds up.
- Carry your photo ID. You can’t get in without it, so keep it handy.
- Don’t worry about mistakes. The session is billed as beginner-friendly, so asking for help or watching the people next to you is part of the experience.
- Bring water or a change of top if you tend to get hot. Several hours of dancing will warm you up even in October.
