Rajesh Hadiya, a software engineer with a passion for Gujarati garba, transformed his annual struggle of finding nearby Garba events into a helpful digital map covering 35 cities. His free platform guides users to festivals with details on venues, timings, entry fees, and booking links all in one place.
- Free interactive map of Garba and Dandiya events across 35 cities
- Details include venue, timings, ticket prices, and booking links
- Focus on both large and small neighborhood celebrations
What happened
This Navratri season, Rajesh Hadiya from Pune launched Nearby Navratri, a free website map featuring Garba and Dandiya events across 35 Indian cities. Drawing on his eight years of experience developing mobile apps, Hadiya built the first version of the site in just two days using AI-assisted tools, then expanded details daily throughout the festival.
The map is open and accessible without any app download or login, relying on OpenStreetMap for location data. Users can filter events by entry price, proximity, and other preferences to find suitable nights. The project operates with minimal costs, relying on free hosting and tools, and aims to cover a broad range of celebrations from grand ticketed events to community society gatherings.
Why it feels good
Navratri, celebrated as a nine-night dance festival dedicated to feminine energy, holds a special place in Indian cultural heritage. Garba was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2023, emphasizing its deep devotional roots and joyous spirit.
By providing a centralized platform, Hadiya’s initiative reduces the frustration many face searching for local events. It supports festival inclusivity by highlighting smaller neighborhood Garba nights alongside major venues, helping people connect with their communities and celebrate tradition more easily.
What to enjoy or watch next
Festival lovers can explore the map accessible from any phone browser at nearbynavratri.in, checking out events from metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru to smaller cities like Bhuj and Navsari. The site offers real-time updates and attendees can contribute by submitting event details, which are quickly reviewed and added.
Looking ahead, Hadiya plans to continue expanding event listings and adding features to enrich user experience. This grassroots digital tool promises to keep Navratri celebrations vibrant and accessible, inspiring others to blend tradition with technology in creative ways.