Best Dussehra celebrations in India: Now that the festive season of Navratri has started, the streets in India are filled with joy and happiness. Dussehra is one of the important Hindu festivals in October in India, celebrated with different rituals, and traditions across the country. Interestingly, every Indian state holds unique celebrations and fairs for devotees to spend some time with their loved ones. From the week-long International Kullu Dussehra festival to Ahmedabad’s Garba and Dandiya, there is so much to witness. In this blog, you will read about the best Dussehra celebrations in India to make the most of this festive season.
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10 Best Dussehra Celebrations in India
Dussehra, also known as Vijaydashmi, is a prominent Hindu festival in India. The best part of the Dussehra celebration in India is that each state follows a different tradition, making the celebration a rare sight to witness. However, this can confuse you about where to go, when, and what to expect. Well, here is the solution. In this section, you will read about the top 10 Dussehra melas in India.
Kullu, Himachal
Dussehra in Kullu is celebrated with the week-long International Kullu Dussehra festival, which attracts thousands of visitors. It is one of the most popular tourist-attracting events in India. The festivities begin on the 10th day of Dussehra and go on for a whole week. The event culminates with the chariot of Lord Raghunath being taken out in a grand procession.
Delhi
Dussehra in Delhi is celebrated with the grand Ramlila performances, especially the ones held at the Ramlila Maidan and the Subhash Maidan in the city. These performances enact the story of Ramayana across 10 days and conclude with Lord Rama killing Ravana on the 10th day. The best part is the netizens can witness the burning of Ravana’s idols from almost any part of the city.
Must Read: Dussehra Mela 2023
Kota, Rajasthan
Dussehra in Kota is celebrated with great enthusiasm and pomp. The city hosts a fair known as the Dussehra Mela, where various cultural activities, performances, and a massive Ravan Dahan (burning of effigies of Ravana) take place. Villagers dress up in traditional costumes to offer prayers to the lord and seek blessings.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
In Ahmedabad, Dussehra is celebrated with the vibrant Garba and Dandiya Raas dances, along with the traditional arti and the burning of Ravana effigies.
Kolkata, West Bengal
Dussehra, known as Durga Puja here, is celebrated with immense splendour, especially during pandals throughout the city. Elaborate decorations, cultural performances, and traditional rituals are a significant part of the celebrations.
Must Read: Govardhan Puja 2023
Mysore, Karnataka
Mysore is known for its grand Dussehra celebrations that last for 10 days. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with thousands of lights, and a majestic procession with caparisoned elephants, folk dancers, and musicians is taken out, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world, celebrates Dussehra with great zeal. The Ramnagar Ramlila, a dramatic reenactment of the life of Lord Rama, is one of the main attractions. The event is attended by a large number of devotees and tourists from all over the world. The Ramlila takes place for a whole month every year.
Cuttack, Odisha
Dussehra in Cuttack is known for its grand processions, especially the Durga Puja and Dussehra procession which showcases splendidly decorated tableaux.
Warangal, Telangana
Dussehra is celebrated with great fervour in Warangal, where the festival includes the grand Warangal Dussehra, with vibrant cultural events and traditional Ramlila performances.
Almora, Uttarakhand
The Kumaoni Dussehra in Almora is known for its unique traditions and customs, including the Nanda Devi Fair and processions carrying idols of various deities. During this festival, netizens celebrate the triumph of good over evil with vengeance by burning the statues of Ravana and his brothers. Interestingly, it is believed that the burning of statues is so grand that you may not find something similar in other states of India.
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FAQs
Some of the best Dussehra celebrations in India take place in Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Delhi, Kota (Rajasthan), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), etc. with grand ceremonies and fairs.
Mysore, Karnataka organises the biggest Dussehra celebrations which lasts for 10 days The Mysore Palace is illuminated with thousands of lights, and a majestic procession with caparisoned elephants, folk dancers, and musicians is taken out, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Dussehra 2023 will be celebrated on 24 October all over India. On this day, different cities in India will organise grand fairs and events where ritual performances will take place.
Hope you like reading about the famous and best Dussehra celebrations in India. You can pay a visit to the 10 best Dussehra celebrations in India with your friends and family to enjoy the festive season. For more information on such interesting topics, visit our trending events page and follow Leverage Edu.