The Navratri festival has begun, and many organisers are worried about the rain forecast in Mumbai. With heavy showers predicted for the entire week, some have built domes, others have put up roofs, while open-ground garba organisers have laid anti-slip carpets to prevent mishaps. This year, five major garba events are being held in Borivli West. Despite the forecast, organisers told mid-day that the celebrations will go on, rain or not.
Rang Raas Navratri, Bal Thackeray Udyan, Chikuwadi – Singer: Bhoomi Trivedi
Preparations at Rang Raas Navratri 2025, Bal Thackeray Manoranjan Garden
Organiser Jignesh Bhuta said, “We have been organising this event for the last 29 years with MLC Pravin Darekar. There’s no roof this year, but we’ve placed anti-slip carpets and built the floor two feet above ground level to avoid waterlogging. Even if it rains, we won’t stop — people love dancing in the rain. This year it’ll be a ‘rainy garba.’ We expect around 12,000–15,000 people.”
Navrang Navratri at Shimpoli – Singer: Nilesh Thakkar
Ashita Parekh and Kapil Sanghvi during Navrang Navratri 2025 setup at Shimpoli. PICS/SATEJ SHINDE
Organisers Ashita Parekh and Kapil Sanghvi said, “People now prefer domes with air-conditioning. Last year we held our event at Opal Convention Center, and this year we have shifted it to Shimpoli ground. People want a dome with air-conditioning to play garba. This year, since rain is expected throughout Navratri, we’ve built a waterproof, air-conditioned dome that can host 4000 people at a time.”
Naidu Club at Kora Kendra Ground No. 1
Setup underway at Korakendra Navratri 2025, RM Bhattad Road, Borivli West
Organiser Dhrumit Naidu said, “This year we’ve built a roof over the ground so the garba can go on uninterrupted. Extra precautions have been taken for the rains.”
Rangtali 2025 Garba, MHB Colony – Singer: Aishwarya Majmudar
Setup for Rangtali Navratri 2025 at MHB Colony
Organiser Pankaj Kotecha said, “We usually hold garba in the open, but this year we built a 1.2 lakh sq. ft. waterproof, air-conditioned dome — the biggest in Borivli. About 15,000 people are expected.”
Surbhi Navratri Utsav 2025, Kora Kendra – Singer: Geeta Rabari
Surbhi Navratri Utsav 2025 at Kora Kendra Ground No. 4, Borivli West is all set to host thousands of dancers
Organiser Santosh Singh said, “After 8 years with Falguni Pathak, this year we have Geeta Rabari, the heart of Gujarat. We’ve placed anti-slip carpets and raised the wooden floor 1.5 feet to prevent waterlogging. Even if it rains, the garba will continue. Around 30,000 people are expected daily.”
Santosh Singh overseeing Surbhi Navratri Utsav 2025 preparations, Borivli West, September 22. PICs/SATEJ SHINDE
