Dussehra Festival Celebrations – A sight to behold is the Indian Dussehra extravaganza! The holiday is observed in various ways around the nation, but at its core, each one is a celebration of the triumph of virtue over evil. Different states’ residents observe it in unique distinctive ways. Their vitality and ethnicity are the only things that are constant throughout all of those traditions. The 9 days of Navratri that follow it honor Goddess Durga’s slaying of the monster Mahishasura. Lord Rama’s defeat of the Lankan monster Ravana occurs on the 10th day of Vijayadashami.
Everywhere you go in India, you will encounter a different Dussehra since the area and culture of each state influence how they celebrate it.
These locations – from mountaintops to bright skies, from Kolkata to Kulasekarapattinam – do Dussehra unquestionably better than anybody else.
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Dussehra Festival Celebration In Different Parts of India
Kullu
In the Himachal Pradesh town of Kullu, Dussehra is celebrated with considerable enthusiasm, giving it unique importance. Here, the holiday is observed in a distinctive manner and lasts 7 days. Kullu residents adore God Raghunath on the Dhalpur Maidan fairgrounds. The sculptures of several regional gods and goddesses are brought by nearby people in a sacred procession to this carnival. For a full week, celebrations fill the entire valley with delight.
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Kolkata
Consider large, vibrant pandals, scrumptious bhogs, and celebrations of the Dhunuchi dance to raucous dhaak sounds. That is the main focus of West Bengal’s Durga Pujo. Only at that particular season of the year does Kolkata truly transform into the Heart of The city. They constructed enormous pandals, each of which was artistically ornamented and had a different theme and story to tell. Being able to celebrate Goddess Puja in Kolkata is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! For the greatest Dussehra celebration in India, come here.
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad’s Dussehra is like something out of a fairytale. The celebration in the city is quite surreal thanks to the vibrant folk dances, boisterous Garba you may join, and the vibrant lights covering the city. Here, the celebration is known as “Navratra,” and is distinguished by aarti rituals performed around the idol of the goddess Shakti, offerings of incense to the goddess Durga, and the well-known traditional dance of Garba. So prepare your “Kedias” and “Lehenga-cholis” for another time you visit during Dussehra and soak in the contagious spirit that permeates the city throughout the festival.
Delhi
Dussehra is a holiday commemorating Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana in Delhi. On this eve, temples are gorgeously decked, and Ram Leela is among the city’s most alluring attractions. At various points across the city, statues of all three demons—Ravana, Meghanad, and Kumbhakaran—are set on fire. Most residents of this city observe a nine-day fast. It is a lovely experience to watch Ramleela, a dramatic adaptation of the Ramayana, in Delhi. In numerous locations around Delhi, the Pandals of Devi are built.
Karnataka
In Mysuru, Dussehra, or as it is often called, “Dasara,” is celebrated with tremendous fervor. The Goddess’ bravery and valor are still remembered and honored on the eve of Dussehra. Numerous military parades, sporting competitions, and cultural events are held to that end. The Mysuru Palace is lavishly ornamented, and royalty, villagers, and visitors all visit the Durbar there as part of the history of the royal tradition. On the last day of the festival, the “Jumbo Savari” is performed through the busy city streets, and you can see an ornately decorated elephant pulling a statue of Goddess Chamundeshwari on its back. You definitely wouldn’t want to miss this sight!
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Punjab
Punjab, an Indian state, has a lovely Durga Puja celebration. They revere Shakti, the goddess. During Navratri, people from Punjab observe a 7-day fast in numerous locations and organize Jagraata. They begin their fast on the eighth day, or Ashtami, and arrange Bhandara for nine Kanjika females.
Tamil Nadu
The state of Tamil Nadu observes the occasion quite differently. They give this celebration a distinctively religious character by celebrating the goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Almost every home in Tamil Nadu hosts well-known doll displays throughout Dussehra. Married ladies at this time invite one another over for dinner and give each other items with marriage-related symbols. Additionally, they exchange money, betel nuts, and coconuts.
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Uttar Pradesh
Every year, during the Dussehra celebrations, Varanasi, a city renowned for its distinctive fusion of spirituality, tourism, and culture, brings all these components to life. Numerous Ramlila celebrations coincide with Navratri, the biggest of which is celebrated in Ramnagar. The audience is thoroughly entertained by these entertaining performances, which on stage depict a 200-year-old Ramayana tradition. Local performers typically portray the many roles in the scene, and entire villages organize the events with remarkable cohesion and contagious excitement.
Kerala
Kerala celebrates Vijayadashami in its own special style. The Keralites favor incorporating their own cultural values—such as education, sacrifices to, and adoration of domestic animals and machines—into their festivals. They honor Devi Saraswati on this day, and students leave their textbooks and other offerings, such as sugarcane and jaggery, in front of her statue for two days. After a particular puja on the 10th day of the festival, the books are returned and the Keralites begin to worship other objects like household animals, musical instruments, etc. The Vijayadashami festival is infused with Kerala’s unique indigenous culture and customs, making it a heartfelt experience for every visiting traveler.
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Chattisgarh
Dussehra is celebrated in Chattisgarh in a special way that emphasizes nature, spirituality, and the state’s chief god. Their deity is Goddess Danteshwari (the presiding idol of Bastar). In this state, special rituals for Dussehra include pata jatra (wood worship), deri gadhai (kalash installation), kachan gaadi (Devi Kachan’s throne installation), nisha jatra (night celebration), muria durbar (assembly of tribal chieftains), and ohadi (sendoff to goddesses) on the last day.
That concludes the wide variety of Dussehra ceremonies throughout India. How did it go? Pretty well, I guess!
So why are you still waiting?
Visit any of the aforementioned locations to make your Dussehra festivity even more interesting this year. You’ll be grateful to me afterward, I promise!
