Ahmedabad: This Navratri, organizers are facing challenges due to a sharp increase in the rental prices of garba grounds, driven by the surge in garba events. In Ahmedabad, plot rentals have risen by 20% to 50%, forcing many organizers to relocate their events to areas like SP Ring Road. The increase is particularly steep along SG Highway.

Pratik Amin, who organized a mass garba event in Gota last year, has moved this year’s Shakti Sandhya Event (Season-2) to Ognaj on SP Ring Road. The venue, where Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav was held, will accommodate 20,000 participants and a large spectator area. Amin explained the need for a bigger space with ample parking, which contributed to the higher production costs, although ticket prices remain reasonable.

Hardik Thakkar, director of Only Option, is hosting a garba event on Iskcon-Ambli Road. He noted that the plot rentals during Navratri are now 1.5 times higher. Thakkar opted for SG Highway for its accessibility but acknowledged the steep rise in costs.

Shyam Mehta, CEO of YMCA Club, pointed out that popular locations are seeing a rental increase of up to 20%. Ruju Desai, organizer of Anant Garba at Dwarkesh Farm in Shilaj, attributed the unprecedented demand for party plots to the growing number of garba events across the city. As suitable venues become scarcer, prices continue to climb, with some venues capitalizing on this trend.

Nitin Patel, owner of Blue Lagoon Party Plot, confirmed the 20% rise in rental costs, adding that areas like Ognaj, Science City, and beyond Shilaj offer more reasonable rates than SG Highway, leading many events to shift there.