Ethos

Womb and Life Cycle: The word Garba comes from garbha (womb). Traditionally, a clay pot (garbha-deep) with a lamp inside is placed in the center. The lamp represents life, energy, and the divine feminine power within the womb of creation.

Circle of Existence: Dancers move in a circle around the lamp, symbolizing the endless cycle of life, birth, death, and rebirth. The center — Devi, the Shakti — remains unmoving, the eternal truth.

Spiritual Devotion: The ethos here is deeply devotional, meditative even, where rhythm and steps become a prayer. It emphasizes bhakti (devotion), shakti (power), and samsara (the cycle of life).

Battle of Good and Evil: Dandiya represents the raas leela of Krishna but in Navratri it takes on a Durga theme. The sticks (dandiyas) symbolize the swords of Durga in her fight against Mahishasura.

Joyful Combat: Each strike of the sticks is symbolic of that cosmic battle. It is playful, rhythmic, and martial — evoking courage, victory, and divine energy.

Community Energy: Unlike the inward devotion of Garba, Dandiya is more outward, vibrant, and dynamic. It expresses togetherness, coordination, and collective joy.

Garba → inward, meditative, centered around the divine feminine as life-giver.

Dandiya → outward, energetic, symbolic of the battle of good over evil.

Together they reflect the ethos of Navratri: worship, rhythm, energy, and the victory of Shakti.