Two nights of celebration at the Moncton Coliseum.

Gujarati Samaj New Brunswick is hosting Navratri on October 13 and 14.

Spokesperson Rujit Vachhrajani says it’s modelled after an event in India that attracts 100, 000 people over nine days and nights,”

In Moncton, the celebration will be held over two nights instead.

“It’s going to be unlike other events that we attend where we have to sit and see performances on the stage. You’ll see more than 500, 800 or even 1000 people dancing. You can either join them or sit and enjoy them. There’s also all kinds of food. We have eight vendors and we planned the menu to bring the street food of India here. Not something like curry or something available in the restaurants but actual street foods. So it’s going to be music, fun and food. You don’t need to know the steps, you don’t need to know how to dance but you can still enjoy and join the celebration,” Vachhrajani says.

The event also features traditional dress from India as well. Vachhrajani says it’s not required, but they can arrange for the public to wear it if desired.

“You don’t have to be from India to attend. Everyone is invited,” he adds.

Vachhrajani says there are around 1,000 people from Gujarat living in Greater Moncton currently, but that grows to 5000 when you consider the number who have immigrated here from the country of India.

The Navratri will begin at 6:20 p.m. Friday night with a prayer, and the festivities will grow from there.

This is the second annual Navratri to be held in Moncton. In 2022, over 800 people attended.

More details can be found HERE.