Navratri begins on October 11, bringing nine nights of celebrations, garba and dandiya, especially Gujarat.

Weather can play an important role in outdoor festivities. By mid-October, the southwest monsoon is usually retreating from large parts of India.

This year, withdrawal is expected to pick up during early October, potentially bringing drier conditions to western and central regions.

However, the monsoon’s departure does not guarantee completely dry weather. Localised showers or thunderstorms can still develop, particularly if moisture or a weather system affects western parts.

For garba organisers and visitors, checking the latest forecast before heading outdoors will be useful.

Rain, strong winds or wet grounds could temporarily disrupt open-air celebrations, while clearer evenings would provide ideal conditions for festivities.