India is known for its exuberant energy. India celebrates a plethora of festivals throughout the year. Smiling faces and committed souls – the colors of India’s diverse cultures and rituals are set to awe visitors every year, in the months of September and October. The holiday season begins with the legendary Dussehra and there are numerous places to go for Dussehra 2021.
Dussehra is celebrated differently in each region of India and you should definitely not miss a chance to check out some amazing places to go for Dussehra 2021. Dussehra is also known as Durga Pooja and Vijaydashmi in various parts of the country.
Dussehra is one of the most important festivals in India. The celebration includes incredible decor, stunning pyrotechnics, and delectable feasts. The entire country is illuminated with joy to commensurate the triumph of good over evil.
From Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh to Karnataka, India exudes ethnic grandeur during the 10 days of Dussehra. We also learn about the celebrations and venues, go scroll to get a taste of India’s cultural splendor.
Significance of Dussehra
In India, Hindus celebrate Dussehra with vigor and festivity. It is one of India’s best October festivals. The festival commemorates the triumph of good over evil. Melas and Ramlila, reenactments of Ramayana episodes, are part of the 10-day celebration.
On the tenth day, the Ravana Dahan scenario is played out. The effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna are then burned. The melas, which are held at various Ramlila venues across the country, feature food kiosks, game stalls, Ferris wheels, and other fun activities. Without a doubt, there are many places to go for Dussehra 2021. But in reality, deciding amongst the list is a tough task to do.
The celebration locations are brightly lit, and well-known celebrities can be seen at the most popular Ramlila locations. Among all the similarities, a lesser-known fact is that the motivations for Dussehra celebrations, as well as the elements, vary by location. As the stage is set for the most lavish celebrations, we bring you the best of India’s best places to go for the Dussehra 2021 celebrations.
Check out some famous and attractive places to go for Dussehra 2021.
1. Kolkata
During the time of year when ‘Good triumphs over Evil,’ Kolkata comes alive with dance, music, food, and celebrations. The most important festival in Kolkata is Durga Puja, also known as Durga Pooja. Kolkata is an ideal place to go for Dussehra 2021 if you’re fond of fascinating ceremonies.
The ceremonies, which take place in conjunction with Dussehra, are spectacular. Take a look at the ornate panels, Bengali culture, and stunning lighting. The event is considered extremely important in Bengali culture because it takes precedence over all other factors.
As a result, when viewing the Dussehra festival in India, you will notice large crowds, thousands of people, and glitter everywhere. You should definitely plan your trip during this time, for more insights Top 10 unbelievably amazing places to go for Navratri 2021.
2. Varanasi
Varanasi has always been a perfect place to go for Dussehra 2021. Varanasi is the oldest historical site in India, which is famous for its rich heritage. Varanasi is also known for its Kashi Vishwanath temple, which is India’s most prominent religious site in India.
Throughout the years the city has maintained its traditions. And here it is where you will find the oldest Ramlila performances which have been going on for nearly 200 years, this is also an added advantage that makes Varanasi a perfect place to go for Dussehra 2021.
Every year Ramlila lasts for a month, beginning with Lord Ram’s incarnation and ending with the killing of demon king Ravana. If you’re a history lover then definitely you should check The 15 best things to do in Varanasi to understand its history.
3. Kullu Manali
Surprisingly, Kullu Dussehra has grown in popularity among those looking for exceptional celebrations all over the world. Kullu is one of the best places to go for Dussehra 2021. Even in India, the celebrations in Kullu are unique in that they begin as other states’ revelers are leaving after a ten-day festival.
A significant number of worshippers join the lively procession heading to the famous Raghunath Temple, carrying idols of various gods and goddesses on their heads. The procession is conducted on the banks of the Beas river on the last day of the festival, where food and fodder are lit ablaze to symbolize the burning of Lanka.
Dussehra celebrations in Kullu begin on the tenth day of the festival and last a week. Visit Kullu to witness India’s best Dussehra festival. It’s just one of the many ways the Dussehra festival is observed in northern India. Dussehra is incomplete if you didn’t check some amazingly beautiful places to chill in Manali. For more info please check, 15 most intriguing places to visit in Manali at night.
4. Mysore
Dussehra is celebrated with great pomp and circumstance in Mysore. This ten-day festival is hosted by the royal family of Mysore to commemorate Goddess Chamundeshwari’s victory over the demon Mahisasura.
A dazzling array of lights adorns Mysore Palace. On the festival’s final day, an ornately adorned elephant leads a parade from the palace to Bannimantap Ground, carrying a large idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari. If you have less time this time, you can keep few things for your next visit. To know more, 19 popular places to visit in Mysore on your next trip.
There are numerous sporting events, military parades, and cultural displays. Every year, a Dasara exhibition with delectable local cuisine and thrilling thrill rides is held. Mysore is one of the best places to go for Dussehra 2021.
5. Bastar
In India, Dussehra is celebrated in a unique and unusual way in Bastar, Chattisgarh. It’s significant in the region, but it has nothing to do with Lord Rama’s triumphant return. Dussehra is celebrated in Bastar in honor of the local goddess and indeed if you wish to witness the beauty of history, Bastar is amongst the best places to go for Dussehra 2021. With a duration of 75 days, it is one of the world’s longest festivals. It is also one of the best things to do if you happen to be in Raipur during the season.
This celebration offers a glimpse into the town’s indigenous way of life. Many deities from nearby towns and villages are carried to the Danteshwari Temple in a chariot parade. The festival includes a number of unusual ceremonies and rituals, such as wood worship, erecting pillars, installing urns, erecting a throne for Devi Kanchan, holding a tribal chiefs’ meeting, and so on.
At the end of the festival, devotees bid their deities farewell with ethnic music and dance displays. A culmination of fun with history can be seen amongst the few best places to go for Dussehra 2021, Bastar.
6. Barara, Haryana
Despite being a small and unknown town in Haryana, Barara becomes the center of attention during Dussehra. For burning the world’s tallest effigy of Ravana, this village has already made it into the Limca Book of Records. Barara is amongst the best places to go for Dussehra 2021. And the inches keep piling up with each passing year.
Barara made headlines in 2013 when he burned a 200-foot-tall Ravana effigy, which had grown to 215 feet by 2015. This year, Barara is rumored to be planning to burn a 210-foot-tall effigy, breaking its own records.
The firecrackers used to burn the effigy are also non-hazardous to the environment. The unique Dussehra celebrations in Barara are a must-see. Chandigarh is approximately 80 kilometers from Barara and indeed is the best place to go for Dussehra 2021.
7. Kota
Traditional attractions are prominent at the Dussehra fair in Kota. The massive bazaar is accompanied by artisans, cultural performances, and events that depict rural India. To pray to the Lord, villagers from all over the city dress up in traditional attire. Kota is one of the best places to go for Dussehra 2021.
And, of course, Ravana effigies are destroyed at the end of the festival. The event is held in conjunction with the Kota Adventure Festival, which is held on the Chambal River. You can visit some of the best attractions near Kota while attending this festival. You will be surprised by the beauty it holds. Kota has something for everyone and that is why it is called it is amongst the ideal places to go for Dussehra 2021.
8. Delhi
The best part about the Dussehra celebrations in Delhi is that they can be seen from anywhere in the city. The Ramlila shows, which are mostly held at the Ramlila Maidan and the Red Fort, are the highlight of the celebrations. Delhi is amongst the best places to go for Dussehra 2021. And the inches keep piling up with each passing year.
The plays tell the Ramayana saga over the course of ten days, culminating in Lord Rama’s death of Ravana on the tenth day. During the Dussehra celebrations in India, a large number of theatre artists have the opportunity to perform and entertain the audience.
9. Madikeri, Coorg
Coorg, one of the best hill stations in South India, is also a popular destination for tourists celebrating Dussehra. Traditional and ritualistic karaga folk dances, also known as Madikeri Dasara, kick off the festivities. Goddess Draupadi, the Pandavas’ wife, is honored in the rites.
The celebration on the 9th day lasts all night to welcome the last 10th day. The Madikeri Dasara begins three months in advance, and villagers participate in this century-old tradition. Coorg is amongst the best places to go for Dussehra 2021. And the inches keep piling up with each passing year. Nights in Coorg is the perfect time to dive deep into the beauty of divine skies. Please check 13 mind-boggling places to visit in Coorg at night.
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10. Hyderabad
Bathukamma begins on Mahalaya Amavasya, which coincides with Navratri. It concludes on Durgasthami’s birthday. Then there’s Boddemma, a seven-day festival that marks the end of the monsoon season and the start of autumn.
Lord Ganesha’s adoration kicks off the event here. Floral arrangements are made for this occasion, and ladies dance around the flowers. Hyderabad is amongst the best places to go for Dussehra 2021. And the inches keep piling up with each passing year. If you’re planning your trip on any weekend then you should try your hands on some adventurous activities. To know more, please check The 15 best weekend activities in Hyderabad.