Ahmedabad’s love for pets is finding its way into Navratri celebrations. With over 2,900 registered dogs in the city, pet parents are eager to make their furry friends part of the festivities. This year, they can — at Pawratri 2025, a garba night dedicated to dogs and their owners on September 20 at Pooja Party Plot on 132-feet ring road.
Organizer Vaidehi Bhatt, herself a pet parent, says, “We Gujaratis are garba lovers. Many people wished they could bring their dogs along, but there was no such space. So I thought — why not?”
To make the event safe and comfortable, Bhatt has ensured a natural lawn instead of synthetic turf, soft lighting, and no loudspeakers. Research shows that even human-safe sound levels can stress dogs with sensitive hearing.
Already, 80 dogs have registered, and nearly 300 pet parents and dog lovers are expected to attend.
What’s in store at Pawratri 2025?
- Designated zones for aggressive dogsOn-site vet and ambulance support
- Fresh dog food stalls from local brands
- Quirky accessory booths and a “dog dating app” stall
- Live paw-painting sessions
- Costume competitions, giveaways, and 360° photo booths
- Traditional attire encouraged — for both pets and humans
The idea of Navratri-with-pets is catching on. At Paow Wow Ratri last week, Karan and Khyati Shah hosted 32 dogs and 45 people for a more intimate gathering. “At one point, when the dogs were tired, we all sat in a circle and played garba clapping with our paw babies. That memory will stay with me forever,” recalls Khyati.
For Ahmedabad’s growing community of pet parents, these events go beyond novelty. They’re about belonging, joy, and togetherness. Garba has always been about community — this time, it just comes with wagging tails.