Come October we all are ready to dive deep into the cultural festivities across India. Most of the time October is a festive time in India, bringing bountiful celebration. From the grandeur of Durga Puja to the energy of Navratri & Garbha, and finally to the triumph of good over evil during Dussehra, the iconic festivals of India make October a joyous month when the spirit of communities is high, lots of family time is on the cards with traditional rituals, and cuisines that are nothing short of a feast every day.
So, if you’re planning to explore India during this month, make sure to visit these places.
- Navratri in Gujarat & North India
Devotees are seen celebrating the nine avatars of Durga nationwide in different ceremonial ways during the Chaitra Navratri. However, Navratri, a nine-night celebration of Goddess Durga in the form of a dance festival, perhaps the longest in the world, motivates you to travel to Gujarat in October. It’s a time for prayers, fasting, and fun, as towns across Gujarat light up with music, dance, and devotion. Thousands of people wearing colourful traditional attires and performing the energetic Garba and Dandiya Raas dances till late into the night is a sight to watch. Travellers visiting during Navratri will experience an unparalleled cultural treat, witnessing the dedication and joy of the Gujarati people.
2. Durga Puja in Bengal
One of the most religious, cultural and gastronomic festivals of West Bengal is Durga Puja. Celebrated in the most dazzling ways it marks the welcoming of Maa Durga from the sixth day of Navratri. Marking the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura, the streets of Kolkata and other towns come alive with splendour and artistic pandals in every locality, cultural performances lasting for five days, and extravagant feasting by each. People are seen enjoying pandal hopping late at night. The celebrations typically end with the immersion of Durga idols on the VijayDashmi, symbolizing her return to her divine home.
3. Dussehra in Mysore
Although celebrated across India by burning of large effigies of Ravana, signifying the end of the ten-day celebration, the festival also known as Nada Habba in south India, is celebrated with a difference in Mysore. The festival begins with a special puja at Mysore Palace by the royal family, praying to Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari for the killing of the demon Mahishasura. The palace is spectacularly decorated and illuminated.
The 10-day celebrations include cultural programs, elephant processions, parades, sports, food and film festivals, in the backdrop of the Mysore Palace. The last day is marked by a royal rally with a decorated elephant’s procession carrying the worshipped idol. It attracts a large number of locals and tourists.
