Dussehra is a magnificent festival rich in cultural significance and religious beliefs. Although this festival is celebrated across India in many different ways the spirit to t of the festival remains the same in the hearts of people here since it signifies the supremacy of good over all sorts of evil power.
Dussehra Festival Date 2024-2026
The Hindu festival of Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in the country. This festival is celebrated at the end of Navratri, so the date varies from year to year. As per the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated on the 10th day of Kartik.
Dussehra Festival Date 2024: 12 October 2024 (Saturday)
Dussehra Festival Date 2025: 1 October 2025 (Wednesday)
Dussehra Festival Date 2026: 20 October 2026 (Tuesday)
After Navaratri, the nine days of fasting ceremony and worshipping Goddess Durga, Dussehra is widely celebrated on the tenth day. This gala festival has its origin in the Hindu epic Ramayana which tells the story of Lord Rama killing the demon Ravana who had ten heads and who abducted Lord Rama’s wife Sita. Dussehra is believed to be celebrated to pay tribute to the victory of Lord Rama. A dramatization of this story known as Ramleela is held in many places during Navaratri with a spectacular ending of burning an enormous model of Ravana on Dusshera.
Dussehra is known for the magnitude of its celebration. Uniqueness in the ways of celebrating this widely popular festival in different traditions makes it an extraordinary religious event. Each tradition welcomes this festival and performs ritual ceremonies in its way.
You can go to any part of the country to gain a rich and memorable experience of Dussehra.
Let us dive into different cultures to have a vivid impression of the festival in the major cities of India.
Durga Pujo in Kolkata
The city of joy is famous for its bewildering festival Durga Pujo which signifies the arrival of goddess Durga on the earth. The 5-day long festival illuminates the city with great enthusiasm and intense radiance. The last day is named Vijayadashami which falls on the same day when Dussehra is celebrated.
The city goes into a complete trance with its elaborate setups of pandals, electrifying decorations of light, and remarkably adorned effigies of goddess Durga.
Major attractions
You can visit splendid pandals to perfectly get into the cultural mood of Kolkata during Durga puja. Exploring some traditionally famous puja pandals like century-old palaces and theme-based puja pandals will be a great thrill.
Eating out
Kolkata is famous for various mouth-watering preparations like Rasogolla, a sweet made of milk, Phuchka, a snack item mostly available on the street side, and its fish curry.
Park steer, New Market, Burrabazar, Shyambazar, Camac street, and Salt Lake are the places where you can try out different types of food. You must visit the Coffee house on College Street for its historical background and delicious coffee. Read Also: Durga Puja in Kolkata
Dussehra in Delhi
Delhi is famous for elaborately celebrating Dussehra. Ram Leela is help celebrated on roads, parks, and open places.
Temples around the city are beautifully adorned during Navaratri. The whole city immerses itself in the joy of festivity.
Major Attractions
You can enjoy the glorious RamLeela by visiting the ground where it is being held and witnessing the breathtaking ritual of burning effigies of the devil Ravana and some amazing fireworks.
Eating out
Delhi is famous for its finger-licking dishes like Alu ka paratha, kebabs, chaat, Chhole Bhature, and a traditional drink lassi.
You must visit Parantha Galli in Old Delhi, Jama Masjid, North Campus, and Hau, Khas village in Delhi to enjoy the variety of food items Delhi has to offer.
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Dussehra in Maharashtra
Dussehra in Maharashtra is more like an opportunity for a reunion of friends and relatives. They exchange gifts and make special sweets on this auspicious day.
The exchange of Aapta tree leaves a symbol of gold is an old tradition here and it is believed to bring prosperity. The purchase of new vehicles, new houses, new machines, and stepping into a new venture are considered auspicious.
Major Attractions
You can watch the efficacy of Ravana being burnt in many places. You can visit fairs and attend various events across the city.
Eating out
Mumbai city in Maharashtra is famous for its street food. Batata vada, vada pav, Bhelpuri, Pani Puri, and pav bhaji are famous street food items in Mumbai.
You can go to Crawford Market, Bhendi Bazaar, Grant Road, and Juhu Beach for the ultimate pleasure of enjoying street food.
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Dasara in Mysore
A 10-day-long festival starts with Navaratri and ends with Vijayadashami. The mythological story behind the celebration of this festival is the same as the celebration of Durga Puja in Kolkata only with the difference of naming the goddess Chamundeshwari instead of Durga.
The festival turns into an extravagant event with Dasara processions being held on the streets of the city where goddess Chamundeshwari placed on a Mantapa made of gold is worshipped on top of an ornamented elephant by the King and Queen of Mysore.
Major Attractions
You can enjoy the glorious procession or even visit various exhibitions around the city to get a taste of Mysore culture in its handicrafts, souvenirs, and food stalls.
Eating Out
South Indian delicacies like idli, vada, dosa, Khara Bhath, Keshari Bhath, and Bonda are some of the dishes you can try. You must not miss the exotic taste of the famous filter coffee also.
You must visit the eateries on the Mysore Bangalore highway.
Bathukamma in Hyderabad
Hyderabad celebrates Dussehra by worshipping the goddess Gauri called Bathukamma which means Mother Goddess, Come Alive’. It ignites the cultural spirit in Hyderabad.
This festival is celebrated for 9 days and the last day of the festival is called Saddula Bathukamma which happens to be the eighth day of Navaratri. Bathukamma is made out of cow dung and flowers as a traditional practice.
Major Attractions
You can get yourself ready for a rich experience of one of the biggest festivals in the country also known as a floral festival. You can go out to enjoy the fireworks and traditional sweets made during the festival.
Eating Out
You should never miss Hyderabadi biryani and haleem.
Paradise in Secunderabad, Shah Ghouse in Talichowki, and Cage Bahar in Basheer Bagh is a well-known eatery that you might like to visit.
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Bommai Kolu in Chennai
The meaning of Bommai Kolu in Tamil is Divine Presence. The dolls of Kolu or Golu made of clay or wood are worshipped for 3 or 9 days two times a day and one of the dolls is put to sleep on the 10 days.
The exchange of sweets and gifts is traditional in this festival. Beautiful rangolis and oil-lit lamps are used to decorate homes.
Major Attractions
The display of vibrant Kolu dolls ignites the spirit of the festival in the hearts of the people.
Eating Out
Pongal, a rice preparation is a delicious item to look out for in Chennai (Tamil Nadu). Besides this, masala dosa, south Indian thali, Idli, Uttapam, and vada are also popular.
You can visit Mint Street, Burma Bazaar, Marine Beach, and East Mada Road are a few of the places you can go to enjoy the famous food dishes in the city.
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Dussehra is celebrated in many other regions of India in variable styles but the essence of the celebrations is the same everywhere. Like all other festivals in India, this festival also reminds the people of India of the significance of living in harmony as festivals of any sort bring people of different cultures and religions close together with a magical influence of its vibrations all around.
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