14 Different Ways of Dussehra Celebrations in India

Navratri! It is a time to celebrate Dussehra. So, how are we celebrating the festival? 

It all depends on where you live in the country. Or what if I say you can choose how you want to celebrate and have fun? 

Isn't it fantastic how different we are and how we can include it all into our life regardless of where we reside? 

Generally speaking, it is about the success of good over evil, the prince's return to his palace, and the commoner's appreciation for the commonplace utensils and tools that we use to manage our lives and support our livelihoods. Along with feasting and fireworks, there comes fasting.

Here is a short tour of some of the cities that celebrate the day with great fervor and unique regional customs.

1. Kolkata Durga Pujo

Perhaps one of the biggest celebrations takes place during Durga Puja in the state of West Bengal! Bright lights, vivid colors, and beautiful pandals of Durga idols transform several locations throughout the state, especially Kolkata.

On the tenth day, ladies give sindoor (vermilion powder) to one another and the Goddes, which leads to a game of sindoor Holi. The practice of sweetening mouths with bites of Rosagolla is one tradition that should not be overlooked.

2. Mysore Dasara

Mysore Dasara is a unique kind of Dussehra! The celebration is lavishly observed on a big scale for 10 days thanks to the city's royal past. A ferocious manifestation of the goddess Shakti (also known as Durga and Kali), who defeated the monster Mahishasura, is honored during Mysore's Dussehra festival. Almost 100,000 light bulbs shine brightly on Mysore Palace. There are numerous events and performances. With a customary parade through the streets that includes a statue of the Goddess Chamundeshwari being carried atop an ornately decked elephant, the festival comes to a close.

On the outskirts of the city, there is a torchlight parade in the evening. The festivity in this regal Karnataka city is also an exhilarating culinary ride.

3. Kullu Dussehra

Himachal Pradesh's Kullu is well known for its distinctive Dussehra celebrations. Worshipers carry idols of local deities to the fairgrounds where they greet Lord Raghunath, their principal deity while wearing them on their heads.

The valley assumes a festive appearance for a full week. On the final day, the procession is transported to the Beas River, where a pile of wood and grass is lit ablaze as a representation of Ravana's Lanka being consumed.

4. Hyderabad's Bathukamma

The City of Nawabs celebrates Dussehra as a "Bathukamma" homage to the Goddess Gauri. Women dance around temple gopurams when Lord Ganesha is worshipped, and the gopurams are beautifully decorated to grab the sight of passing travelers.

The city's fireworks are a visual pleasure and will always make you happy. During this period, the city is graced with stunning hues and an abundance of delectable foods. Payasam and Sabudana vada are two very delicious foods that you should always try throughout the festival season.

5. Bastar Dussehra

The tribal people of Bastar, Chattisgarh, celebrate Dussehra during Navratri to worship their native goddess Maoli and her sisters rather than Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. The festival lasts for 75 long days, and preparations begin well in advance of the event. As the local deities are brought to the Danteshwari Temple in Jagdalpur, a large procession involving hundreds of priests is organized. A double-decker chariot, or rath, is the focal point of the sacred procession. The 2-ton heavy chariot is constructed by tribe members using conventional equipment.

The Chhattisgarh tourism office lights a thousand lanterns to illuminate the procession's route between Bastar and Jagdalpur.

6. Chennai's Bommai Kolu

In Tamil Nadu, to celebrate Dussehra,  miniature sculptures of Gods and Goddesses are purchased and set on shelves designed just for them. Golu, Kolu, or even a doll festival are other names for this ritual. Scenes from many legendary stories are depicted in the locations. This is primarily done by women, who, motivated by competition, bring in dolls of all kinds, sometimes departing from mythological tales. It's very charming how these dolls have created a vibrant atmosphere that resembles a mini-museum in each home. To appreciate it, you must see it! The goods used in one's job are worshipped on the ninth day, and on the tenth day, the children begin their academic year.

It is similar to Japan's doll celebration, Hinamatsuri.

7. Varanasi Ram Lila

Varanasi, a city renowned for its distinctive fusion of spirituality, tourism, and culture, brings all these elements to life every year during the Dussehra celebrations. Numerous Ramlila celebrations coincide with Navratri, with Ramnagar hosting the biggest one. As they portray a 200-year-old Ramayana tradition on stage, these entertaining performances provide the audience with hours of amusement. Local performers typically portray the many roles in the scene, and entire villages organize the events with remarkable cohesion and contagious excitement. Each year, more than a million pilgrims come to witness the elaborate Ramadan processions and performances. Visits to temples are a wonderful way to rekindle your spiritual connection with the city's spirit, especially during the auspicious season of Dussehra.

Even UNESCO has acknowledged the festival's singularity by listing it on its Representative List of the Integral Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

8. Madikeri Dasara

Dussehra in Madikeri is a vibrant, carnival-like event observed in the tranquil Coorg (Kodagu). Madikeri has a lengthy history that goes back to the Haaleri monarchs' rule. For the goddess Mariama, there are four shrines (after this celebration, also called the Mariama Festival). Each will take part in a different Karaga during the festival.

Nothing compares to a full night of Liskarada, where you listen to music while tapping your toes in the chilly mountain air and take frequent breaks to sample spicy Manchurian gobi, panda curry, and, of course, Coorgi coffee.

The parade of ten elaborately designed floats, which features mechanical gods, goddesses, demons, and goblins performing plays based on classic tales, is the main attraction, though.

9. Ahmedabad’s Navratri Mahotsav

When Goddess Durga is ceremoniously revered for nine days, Dussehra is observed as Navratri. The lively and colorful Garba dance is often associated with Dussehra. Gujarat is known for its dandiya sticks, which are used for swinging and dancing while listening to traditional music. Visit Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda, Gandhinagar, and other areas of the state to experience the riot of colors during Navratri.

10. Delhi’s Ram Lila

Dussehra is commemorated in Delhi as the day that Lord Ram slew the wicked Ravana. Ramlila is performed, and temples are decked and played with devotional music. Nearly all of the city's neighborhoods witness the joyful torching of the effigies of Ravana, Meghanad, and Kumbhakaran.

Nearly every locality and local region in Ramleela host a traditional theatrical performance during Navratri, accompanied by rides and food booths.

11. Kulasekarapattinam Dasara

The Dussehra Festival brings life to the beautiful coastal village of Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu (also called the Kulasai Festival). The Mutharamman Temple serves as the focal point of the annual festivities (an important place of worship in the region).

It is a beautiful fusion of music, dancing, drama, and a variety of vibrant costumes. The festival's trance dance is yet another interesting feature. Swing for hours throughout the night in colorful, exquisite clothes to the beat of the Tara Tapatata (clay jugs in their hands)

12. Kota Dussehra

The largest fair (mela) with a rustic vibe is the focus of this Dussehra festivity. There are performances and cultural events, and artisans from all over the world come to sell their crafts. Additionally, locals congregate in traditional attire to pray to Lord Ram and commemorate his victory against Ravan. Huge Ravan effigies are set ablaze. A mesmerizing parade also travels from the Royal Palace to the fairgrounds and features elephants, camels, horses, and folk dancers that have been decorated.

The event coincides with the Kota Experience Festival, which is hosted on the Chambal River.  Rafting,  Parasailing, windsurfing, water skiing, kayaking, rock climbing, hang gliding, walking, fishing, and rural tours are among the activities available.

13. Kerala Dussehra festival

Kerala has its distinctive manner of honoring Vijayadashami. The Keralites favor incorporating their cultural values—such as education, sacrifices to, and worship of livestock and machines—into their celebrations.

Students leave their textbooks and other offerings, such as sugarcane, jaggery, and other items, ins front of the idol of the goddess Saraswati for two days on this day.

The books are returned and other objects, including domestic animals, musical instruments, etc., are worshipped by the Keralites after a special puja on the tenth day of the celebration.

The celebration of Vijayadashami combines indigenous customs and culture unique to Kerala, making it a spiritual experience for any passing visitor.

14. Punjab Dussehra Festival

In Punjab, Dussehra is a festival honoring the goddess Shakti. Traditionally, the first seven days of Navratri are spent fasting, following which they perform "Jagraata" or devotional songs, to energize the crowd. On the eighth day of the festival (Ashtami), they break their fast by setting up a Bhandara for nine young ladies while simultaneously honoring them.

In Punjab, Dussehra is distinguished by its philosophy of generosity and kindness and can be an emotional occasion.

These are a few of the interesting ways that Dussehra is celebrated in various states across the nation. Naturally, there are a lot more cities, states, and vibrant ways to celebrate Dussehra!!