By Afreen Firdaus

Bhubaneswar: Around two decades ago, Dandiya nights in Bhubaneswar were largely community affairs, bringing together Gujarati families to celebrate a tradition rooted in their cultural and devotional heritage. Today, the rhythmic clatter of Dandiya sticks is drawing a much wider crowd, with people from different backgrounds joining the celebrations across the city.

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For Yugani Doshi, the transformation is particularly striking. Recalling her childhood, she said Dandiya celebrations were once largely restricted to gatherings within the Gujarati community.

“During our childhood, around 20 years ago, we used to celebrate Dandiya within our community. Today, it is celebrated across the city, and I can go with my friends as well, not just with my family,” she said.

Her recollection captures a broader change in the way the festival is experienced in the capital. What was once primarily a community-centred celebration has evolved into a social occasion where people come together to dance, dress in traditional attire, enjoy music and experience a different cultural tradition.

Dandiya events in Bhubaneswar this year

1. Jahsn-E-Dandiya 2.0 — Janata Maidan, October 15–19.
2. Dholida 2026 — Janata Maidan, October 16–18.
3. Biggest Dandiya Nights — Adivasi Ground, October 16–20.
4. Disco Dandiya at BBi — BBi Booze Buzz Inhouse, October 16–17.
5. Disco Dandiya — Birch, Patia, October 16.
6. AnyBody Can Dandiya 6.0 — Aura Lawns, October 17–18.
7. Labonya Retreat Dandiya Night — Labonya Retreat, October 17–19.
8. Garba 4.0 – One Grand Night — Pushpak Hotel & Convention, Dhauli, October 19.
9. Navraas by Nishamani — Nishamani Convention Hall, October 16.
10. Dandiya Raas 4.0 by Jalsa — Reliance Digital venue listing, October 17.

Despite this wider appeal, the Gujarati community continues to organise its own traditional Dandiya celebrations separately from the larger public events hosted at hotels, convention centres and other commercial venues. These gatherings preserve the community’s cultural connections and provide members with an opportunity to celebrate together, even as the dance finds new audiences across the city.

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For participants such as Puja Mahanti of Bhubaneswar, the appeal of Dandiya lies in its lively atmosphere, colourful attire, energetic music and the opportunity to participate with friends. The celebrations offer an accessible way for people unfamiliar with the tradition to join in, learn the dance movements and enjoy a different festive experience.

The trend is reflected in the range of public events being organised in Bhubaneswar this year. From large outdoor gatherings at Janata Maidan and Adivasi Ground to events at Aura Lawns and venues in Patia, Dandiya nights have become a visible part of the city’s festive calendar.

Yet, the growing popularity does not necessarily mean that the tradition has lost its religious significance. Garba and Dandiya remain closely associated with Navratri and devotional practices, even as contemporary celebrations increasingly incorporate entertainment, socialising and commercial elements.

For Bhubaneswar, the change offers a glimpse of how cultural traditions can travel beyond their communities of origin, finding new audiences while retaining links to their roots. As more people join the celebrations, Dandiya is becoming not only a Gujarati cultural expression but also an occasion for the city’s diverse residents to come together.