This festival is a traditional festival of goddess of power `Amba` (Durga) for the first nine nights of the month Ashwin of the Vikram year.

Actually, Garba word comes from the Sanskrit word `Garba deep`. In English language, Garba means `inside` or `womb` means Garbh, means inside of earthen pot which people still use to store drinking water.

Peoples in western India do Ghat Sthapana, which is an earthen pot with holes in it, a diya inside decorated with Colors, Patterns, and Mirrors. Earlier, Navratri festival celebrated by Hindu women`s, in the honor of goddess `Amba` (Durga). The goddess is believed to be a Shakti (power), originating from Lord Shankara. As a symbol of Shakti / Goddess, women would put this Garbha deep in the center then they will be dancing with clapping in circles around the Garbha Deep or Garbo at the rhythm of garba songs / prayers / bhajanas.

Now days this is also know as Dandia Rass, associated with Garba. This art of dance is actually originated in Gujarat state, which is situated in western part of India.

Dandia Rass is originating from a totally different root. Traditionally it was only performed by mens, but now girls and married womens also participate in the dance. Dandia Rass dance is actually a pair of bamboo or wooden sticks, which is of 18 inches to 24 inches in long. It is also energetic sort of exercise.

You will still find these traditional movements and forms of Dandiya Raas in Western Gujarat i.e. in Suarashtra.