Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Seven Indian Destinations Showcase Distinct Regional Navratri Traditions
Navratri is a nine-day Hindu festival celebrated in different ways across India.
Ahmedabad is known for people dancing Garba and Dandiya Raas together.
Kolkata celebrates with Durga Puja pandals and clay idols.
Mysore lights its palace and holds a grand elephant procession.
Kullu starts its seven-day Dussehra after celebrations elsewhere have ended.
Varanasi presents a traditional 31-day performance of the Ramayana.
Bastar holds a 75-day festival focused on the local deity Devi Danteshwari.
Delhi marks the end of the festival by burning large effigies of figures from the Ramayana.
Ahmedabad hosts large Garba and Dandiya Raas gatherings, including a state festival at Gujarat University Ground.
Kolkata celebrates Navratri as Durga Puja, featuring thousands of artistic pandals and idol immersion in the Hooghly river.
Mysore’s Dasara includes the illuminated Mysore Palace and the tenth-day Jumboo Savari elephant procession.
Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami and brings more than 200 local deities to Dhalpur Maidan over seven days.
Varanasi, Bastar, and Delhi offer distinct traditions including a 31-day Ramlila, a 75-day tribal observance, and public effigy burnings.
- Who
- Travellers, local communities, state tourism authorities, artisans, performers, and religious groups participating in regional Navratri and Dussehra celebrations.
- What
- Seven Indian destinations are highlighted for their distinct Navratri-related traditions, including dances, pandals, processions, Ramlila performances, tribal rituals, and effigy burnings.
- When
- Celebrations generally take place from early October; durations range from nine days to 75 days, while Kullu Dussehra begins on Vijayadashami.
- Where
- Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Mysore, Kullu, Varanasi, Bastar, and Delhi.
- Why
- These destinations offer travellers opportunities to experience regional customs and India’s cultural diversity during the festival period.
- Ahmedabad tradition
- Garba and Dandiya Raas, with a state-level festival at Gujarat University Ground.
- Kolkata tradition
- Durga Puja features thousands of temporary artistic pandals and concludes with clay-idol immersion in the Hooghly river.
- Mysore highlight
- The Mysore Palace is illuminated with nearly 100,000 electric bulbs each evening during Dasara.
- Kullu duration
- Kullu Dussehra is a seven-day festival beginning on Vijayadashami and involving more than 200 local deities.
- Varanasi performance
- Ramnagar Ramlila lasts 31 days and uses traditional oil lamps without microphones or modern technology.
- Bastar duration
- Bastar Dussehra spans 75 days and focuses on Devi Danteshwari.
- Delhi finale
- Ramlila committees stage performances before effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghanada are burned on the tenth day.