Navratri 2026 Ahmedabad: Garba Permission and the Police Commissioner's 44 Rules

Quick answer: Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday 11 October to Monday 19 October, with Dussehra on Tuesday 20 October. For 11 to 20 October, the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner has issued a notification with 44 rules for Garba at clubs, party plots, societies and streets: 12 on permissions and 32 on arrangements. Loudspeakers are allowed until 12 midnight, CCTV and separate entry and exit gates are required, and organisers must secure fire, structural and electrical clearances.

Last updated: 9 October 2026. The notification can be amended, and conditions differ between city and rural police. Confirm with your local police station before the first night.

In Gujarat, Navratri is the festival of Maa Amba (Ambe Maa), and Garba is danced around her garbo lamp every night. To begin each night with her prayers, see our Navratri mantras before Garba for Durga and Amba. For the venues themselves, read our Garba 2026 in Ahmedabad guide and the wider Navratri 2026 Gujarat Garba guide.

Navratri 2026 dates

Who needs permission

• Society and residential Garba
• Sheri (street) and pol Garba
• Party plots, clubs, farms and ticketed or commercial events
• Any Garba at a public venue or using loudspeakers

The police notification applies to all of these. Society and sheri organisers take loudspeaker permission from the PI of the local police station. Commercial and ticketed events usually go through a more detailed review that involves the traffic police, so start early. Ask your police station which officer signs off for your type of event.

Clearances to arrange

At a coordination meeting on 30 September, Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut told organisers to obtain all permissions and licences early, and told station officers to help speed up the NOCs for fire, structural stability and electrical safety, according to Ahmedabad Mirror. Organisers must also state the exact venue.

• Police permission, including loudspeaker permission
• Fire NOC from the AMC Fire and Emergency Services, especially for party plots and large grounds
• Structural stability certificate for stages, stands and temporary structures
• Electrical safety clearance from a licensed contractor
• Traffic and parking plan, and any civic permissions for the site

Fire officers may also ask for a self-declaration on fire safety under Gujarat's fire safety law. Check the 2026 AMC fire department requirements for your venue size.

The 44 rules: what the notification covers

According to Bombay Samachar's report of the notification, the main points are:

Sound

• Loudspeakers, microphones and PA systems only until 12 midnight.
• Noise pollution rules must be followed throughout.
• No loudspeakers near silence zones such as courts, schools and hospitals.

Women's safety

• Women's safety must get priority at every venue.
• Organisers must coordinate continuously with the police SHE Teams.
• Keep entry, exit, parking and approach roads well lit.

Crowd, traffic and security

• Entry and exit gates and CCTV cameras are mandatory.
• Organisers are responsible for preventing traffic jams up to 200 metres on both sides of the venue.
• Parking must follow the traffic rules; illegal parking collection invites action.
• Do not exceed the venue's capacity; stop entry when it is full.

Drugs and intoxicants

• Nobody may enter with drugs or intoxicants.
• Venues should keep breath analysers and door-frame and hand-held metal detectors.
• Inform the police at once if such a person tries to enter.

Women's safety and SHE Teams

Police SHE Teams will patrol party plots and also make surprise visits to street Garba, mohallas and societies, watching entry and exit gates, parking areas and poorly lit roads, reports Ahmedabad Mirror. Filming women without consent at Garba venues will be dealt with strictly.

• Women who need help late at night can dial 112; the women's helpline is 181.
• Share live location with family and avoid isolated places with new acquaintances.
• Be wary of 'rent-a-partner' offers on social media, which police have flagged as a fraud risk.

Technology at venues

• AI-based cameras will monitor crowd density at major venues.
• Photographs of people who caused trouble at Garba venues in the past will be fed into facial recognition systems at selected locations.
• Traffic and local police will stay on the roads until revellers disperse.

Fire safety checklist

• Fire NOC for party plots and large grounds
• ABC and CO2 extinguishers, water drums and sand buckets at the stage, kitchen and generator
• An emergency PA announcement system
• Glowing Exit, Emergency Exit and No Smoking signs
• At least two emergency exits, well apart, kept clear at all times
• Trained volunteers and a first-aid point
• Stage, lights and crowd kept well away from transformers and HT lines

Outside city limits: Ahmedabad Rural

Ahmedabad Rural Police expect around 20 commercial events in farms, party plots and clubs across Bopal, Shela, Hathijan and Sanand. Each venue faces a daily 24-point security audit, and organisers must submit fire, electrical safety and structural stability certificates to the local police station every day. Major venues need police and help desks for women and children, CCTV control rooms, medical teams, separate entry queues for women and female security staff, and a nodal officer to coordinate with police (Ahmedabad Mirror).

Tips for organisers

• Apply 10 to 15 days ahead next year; this year, finish pending clearances now.
• Display the permission letter and emergency contacts at the gate.
• Appoint enough volunteers and security, including women staff.
• Coordinate with traffic police if you are near SG Highway, SP Ring Road, Bopal or Nikol party plots.
• Plan dispersal after midnight: staggered exits, lit parking and transport for women going home.

Organisers in other cities can compare: Garba 2026 in Vadodara, the Hyderabad Durga Matha mandap permission guide and the Vijayawada Durga mandap and free power guide. For Gujarat traditions, see celebrating Navratri in Gujarat.

Frequently asked questions

Do society and sheri Garba events in Ahmedabad need police permission?

Yes. The police notification covers clubs, party plots, residential societies and sheri (street) Garba. For loudspeakers at society and sheri Garba, organisers take permission from the Police Inspector (PI) of the local police station, according to the notification as reported by Bombay Samachar.

Till what time can Garba music play in Ahmedabad in 2026?

Loudspeakers, microphones and public address systems can be used until 12 midnight from 11 to 20 October 2026, subject to noise pollution rules. They are not allowed near silence zones such as courts, schools and hospitals.

What are the 44 rules for Navratri in Ahmedabad?

The Police Commissioner's notification has 12 rules on permissions and 32 on arrangements. They cover sound limits, women's safety and coordination with SHE Teams, CCTV and entry and exit gates, traffic within 200 metres of the venue, and screening for drugs and intoxicants.

Which safety certificates do Garba organisers need?

Police have asked organisers to get fire, structural stability and electrical safety clearances early, with station officers told to help speed them up. Large party plots and grounds should expect a Fire NOC check from the AMC fire department.

Is facial recognition used at Garba venues in Ahmedabad?

Yes, at selected locations. Police said photographs of people who caused trouble at Garba venues in the past will be fed into facial recognition systems, and AI-based cameras will monitor crowd density, according to Ahmedabad Mirror.

What are the Navratri 2026 dates?

Navratri begins with Ghatasthapana on Sunday 11 October 2026. Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami fall on Monday 19 October, and Dussehra is on Tuesday 20 October (Drik Panchang). The police order runs from 11 to 20 October.

Editor's note (9 October 2026)

This guide is based on the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner's 2026 notification as reported by Bombay Samachar (7 October 2026) and on police briefings reported by Ahmedabad Mirror. Some details in the owner's draft, such as specific space-per-person norms, the mentor system, the officer who signs commercial permissions and heavy-vehicle timings, could not be confirmed for 2026; check the full notification and your police station. Dates follow Drik Panchang.