navratri in gujarat

7 places to enjoy Navratri and Dusshera

Navratri is here and it’s time to celebrate and dance to the melodious songs of navratri and the occasion of dussehra. Celebrated in every state, these festivals are one of the most awaited festivals for millions. From Gujarat to Bengal, every state in the country immerses itself in the beauty, lights and colors of these festivals. And if you wish to enjoy these festivals in their best forms, here are 7 best places in the country that will immerse you in the joy of these festivals.

Delhi

dusshera in delhi

Dussehra is a festival that is celebrated on the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. Temples of Lord Ram are decorated across the country with lamps and flowers and religious music are recited. Ram leela, a cultural event that depicts the victory of Lord Ram is held in the evenings and huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are burnt on Dussehra. Fireworks then follow the event that amuses every child and adult.

Gujarat

navratri in gujarat

Gujarat is famous world and across for the Navratri festival. Major cities like Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat and Gandhinagar come alive not just during the day, but all through the night. People dance, sing, worship and eat all night. Women adore themselves in the beautiful lehenga cholis and men wear kedias. Wearing these colorful dresses, they do Garba and Dandiya Raas all night around the idols of Maa amba.

Chhattisgarh

Dussehra in chhatisgarh

If you wish to experience these festivals in a unique form, then visit Chhattisgarh and experience how the tribal folks celebrate this festival. The tribals celebrate the festival by worshiping their local goddess Maoli and her sisters during the navratri. A grand procession is organized and 100s of priests join in to bring the deities to the Jagdalpur, Danteshwari Temple. The double decker chariot is the main attraction of this procession.

Varanasi

dusshera in Varanasi

The holy city of Varanasi comes alive during the navratri. Ram leela dance drama is performed that enact the lives of lord Ram and Sita during their exile. They recite the Ramcharitamanas for nine days and worship all gods and goddesses. On the following day of Dussehra, Bharat Milaap is performed that depicts the reunion of Lord Ram with his brother Bharat in Ayodhya.

West Bengal

durga puja in west bengal

Goddess Durga is worshipped in West Bengal during the navratri festival. It is known as Durga Pujo and is celebrated during the last 5 days of Navratri. During this festival, children, adults and the entire city is draped in beautiful clothes and lights. Huge artistic pandals are made within which beautiful idols of Goddess Durga are worshipped all day and night. The festival ends on Maha Dashami where people greet each other on the victory of Maa Durga on Mahishasur, a demon.

Himachal Pradesh

dusshera of Kullu

The Kulu valley celebrates navratri in a very different way. It celebrates the festival for 7 days, after dussehra. Idols of gods and goddesses are brought through holy processions and people celebrate the presence of gods and goddesses for 7 days. The celebration comes to an end when with the burning of a heap of grass on the Beas river bank. This symbolizes the burning of Lanka by Lord Ram.

Karnataka

dusshera in mysore

Navratri is one of the most loved festivals in Karnataka. Celebrated for over 400 years, the festival is known as Dasara and is celebrated by illuminating the Mysore Palace with nearly 100,000 lamps which is a rare sight. The procession is carried on richly embellished elephants and can be seen from all across the city.

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