Travel Tips

Top 11 Indian Destinations to Visit This Dussehra for a Never-Seen-Before Celebration

If you have never visited India during the festival season, you are missing it all.

Call it a fondness for tradition or an excuse to celebrate, most Indians love festivals.

Dussehra is one such festival that embodies the notion of unity in diversity.

From fasting, feasting, and fireworks, people celebrate this festival in different ways in diverse parts of India.

Nonetheless, it follows its central essence – the victory of good over the evil – everywhere.

Book tickets to India and visit these top Indian destinations this Dussehra for a delightful experience.

1. Kolkata – Durga Puja 

The Durga Puja of West Bengal is incomplete without its vibrant pandals, yummy sacred bhogs, dhaak beats, and Dhunuchi dance.

Also, people here decorate each pandal beautifully and very intricately. Further, they have their own unique theme that narrates a tale of its own.

One should not miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience at any cost.

Besides the lively pandals, you can pay a visit to the traditional Bonedi Bari pujas.

You are sure to explore the vivid shades of Dussehra in the age-old palaces of the city.

2. Delhi – Ram Leela

India, especially its capital city, has always been a favorite among the tourists.

So, when you have a vacation and decide to book flight tickets, India is a destination you should consider visiting.

The “Dilwalo Ki Dilli” celebrates Dussehra spectacularly.

During the nine days before Vijayadashmi, you can find stage shows all over the city depicting the actual Ramayana.

Also, people fast during these days, and there is a lot of hustle and bustle in the temples too.

On the tenth day – the day of Dussehra, the dummies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Meghnad are made on the Ram Leela ground.

Also, while making these, they stuff fireworks in them. Therefore, when the ritual of burning them happens after the sunset, beautiful fireworks illuminate the sky.

3. Mysore – Dasara 

As per the age-old legend, Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura – the demon on Dussehra here.

So, to commemorate this day, “Dasara” is celebrated in Mysuru with great pomp and show.

Also, you will find many cultural performances, military parades, and athletic contests on this day.

Furthermore, the Mysuru Palace is a place you must see on this day due to all the fairy lights which adorn it.

In addition to this, do not miss the famous “Jumbo Savari” that floods the streets of Mysore on this auspicious day.

4. Hyderabad – Bathukamma

This floral festival’s motive is to pay respect to Goddess Gauri. The people across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh celebrate it with utmost joy.

You can easily find cheap airfare to India and visit these places.

People start this festival by worshiping Lord Ganesha. Then, the women dance around a beautiful flower arrangement.

Also, Boddemma follows this festival and marks the ending of “Varsha Ritu” (Monsoon Season) and the beginning of “Sharad Ritu” (autumn).

Furthermore, each day of Bathukamma depicts the type of food that the people use to pay a visit to Goddess Gauri on that very day.

5. Punjab – Jagraata 

The Punjabi’s celebrate Dussehra in a grand way like every other festival.

They honor the Goddess Shakti. Also, they fast for nine days of Navratri before Dussehra.

The burning of the statues is prevalent here too.

Also, you can find Jagraata’s everywhere on this day. During these, people sing devotional songs while staying awake all night.

You can find plenty of cheap tickets and flights to various cities in Punjab.

6. Chhattisgarh – Bastar Dussehra

This festival here continues for seventy-five long days. Bastar’s celebration is all about spirituality, nature, and Devi Danteshwari.

Also, the locals follow numerous rituals during this festival.

These include worship of wood, urn installation, posting of the pillars, setting up the throne for Devi Kachan, and conference of tribal chieftains.

Furthermore, on the last day, people bid farewell to the deities.

7. Chennai – Bommai Kolu

Are you searching for cheap flights to Mumbai from USA? We suggest you do the same for Chennai instead.

As here you will get to see a view never seen before!

On Dussehra, beautiful kolus are used to decorate the Chennai streets. These are the tier-wise arrangement of idols on wooden padis.

These tableaux usually depict the battle fought by Goddess Durga when she killed the demon Mahishasura.

Also, you can find some scenes from the Ramayana too. Furthermore, the tableaux often have some abstract concepts like scenes from local wedding rituals, contemporary heroes, and folk songs.

Undeniably, this tradition is now an annual exhibition of innovation and creativity.

8. Kullu – Lankadahan ceremony

India air tickets have a lot of festival discounts and offers on them these days.

So, avail of such offers quickly and visit Kullu if you want to witness the Lankadahan ceremony.

Interestingly, people do not follow the ritual of burning the effigy of Ravana and others here.

Instead, they burn dry leaves, grass, and twigs on the banks of river Beas.

These symbolize the Lanka – the city where Ravana ruled.

Furthermore, you can experience the Lord Raghunath’s Rath Yatra here.

In this, people from the neighboring villages bring more than 200 local deities as well as demigods.

This yatra heads to the Dhalpur Maidan.

9. Madikeri – Mariamma festival

This festival celebrated Madikeri is no less than a carnival.

Visit the serene hills of Coorg to experience a completely different form of Dussehra.

Four temples in Madikeri serve the purpose of paying tribute to Goddess Mariamma.

Also, each of this temple has its own unique Karaga, which is a folk dance devoted to Draupadi.

And, you can observe this ritualistic dance form during this festival.

If you want to dance to the beats of foot-thumping music in the fresh mountain air, this is the place for you.

Also, you can relish delicious food like spicy Gobi Manchurian, Pandi Curry, and the famous Coorgi coffee.

Furthermore, you will be amazed to see a lively parade of figures of gods, goddesses, and demons.

10. Ahmedabad – Navratri Mahotsav

This Dussehra, along with booking a USA to Mumbai flight, book one to Ahmedabad as well.

Gujarati’s celebrate Navratri Mahotsav with incredible happiness and enthusiasm.

Hence, you are sure to experience nine amazing nights of energetic Garba, midnight buffets, and vibrant clothes.

Dancing to the beats of the dhol is something that one must not miss.

Also, do not miss the wonderful Gujarati aarti dance performance.

11. Kulasekarapattinam – Kulasai Festival

This town in Tamil Nadu comes alive during the ten days of the Dussehra festival.

Thus, make sure to visit the Mutharamman Temple.

This annual celebration is a melting pot of dance, colorful costumes, drama, and music.

Also, you can watch pilgrims wearing fancy costumes swaying to the beats of thara thappattam during the trance dance.

Okay! So, here are the topmost destinations that you can visit if you plan on visiting India during the Dussehra season.

Choose the destination which suits you the most, book tickets to India, and get ready for an amazing experience.