Kolkata, West Bengal
During Navratri, Kolkata hosts its largest festival, Durga Puja. The city becomes an open-air art gallery with thousands of elaborate temporary structures called 'pandals', each housing a beautifully crafted idol of Goddess Durga. It's a cultural feast
of art, food, and community spirit, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The heart of Navratri's dance celebrations, Ahmedabad is famous for its energetic Garba nights. People dressed in traditional attire gather at grounds across the city to dance in concentric circles around a central shrine, often until the early hours of the morning. The city offers everything from massive organised events to more traditional 'sheri' Garba in neighbourhood squares.
Vadodara, Gujarat
Often called the cultural capital of Gujarat, Vadodara hosts some of the most sought-after Garba events in the state. The United Way of Baroda's Garba is one of the largest in the world, attracting tens of thousands of dancers. The city's celebrations are known for their scale, energy, and the disciplined, synchronised dance performances.
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Mumbai celebrates Navratri with a blend of tradition and glamour. The city is famous for its large-scale Dandiya Raas events, often featuring live performances by popular singers. Neighbourhoods like Borivali and Ghatkopar are epicentres of activity, where thousands come together for nights filled with dance, music, and festive food.
Delhi
In Delhi, Navratri is synonymous with Ramlila, the theatrical reenactment of the story of Lord Rama. Large grounds host elaborate productions that culminate in the burning of Ravana's effigy on Dussehra. The city also has vibrant pandal-hopping culture in areas like Chittaranjan Park, which offers a taste of Kolkata's Durga Puja.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
The ancient city of Varanasi hosts one of the most unique and oldest Ramlila traditions at Ramnagar. This month-long performance uses different locations across the town as stages, and the entire community becomes part of the epic narrative. It’s a deeply spiritual and immersive theatrical experience.
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Kullu's Dussehra celebrations are an international mega-festival that starts when festivities in the rest of India are ending. The week-long event sees over 200 local deities brought to the Kullu valley in colourful processions to pay homage to Lord Raghunath, the presiding deity. It's a grand spectacle of Himachali culture, faith, and tradition set against the backdrop of the Himalayas.
Mysuru, Karnataka
Known as Dasara, Mysuru's celebration is a royal affair steeped in history. The entire Mysore Palace is illuminated by nearly 100,000 bulbs every night. The festival culminates in the 'Jamboo Savari', a grand procession featuring decorated elephants, with the lead elephant carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari in a golden howdah.
Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Bastar offers a completely unique Dussehra celebration that spans 75 days, making it one of the longest festivals in the world. It does not involve the story of Ram and Ravana but instead honours the local deity, Goddess Danteshwari. The festival is a fascinating display of indigenous tribal traditions, rituals, and a grand chariot procession built by local communities.
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
The Kanaka Durga Temple, perched atop the Indrakeeladri hill in Vijayawada, is a major pilgrimage site during Navratri. The goddess is decorated in a different form each day, representing her various avatars. Devotees flock to the temple to take a holy dip in the Krishna River and seek the goddess's blessings.
Katra, Jammu & Kashmir
Navratri is the most auspicious time to undertake the pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi near Katra. The atmosphere is charged with devotion as thousands of pilgrims make the trek up the Trikuta Mountains, chanting praises of the Goddess. The shrine and the base camp at Katra are beautifully decorated, hosting special prayers and cultural events.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, Navratri is celebrated as 'Golu' or 'Bommai Kolu'. Homes are decorated with tiered displays of dolls and figurines, representing deities, scenes from mythology, and everyday life. It's a social festival where families visit each other to view the displays, sing devotional songs, and exchange snacks.
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
The historic Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is a centre of grand celebrations during Navratri. Like in Chennai, the Golu festival is a key tradition here, with the temple itself hosting an elaborate and massive doll display that attracts thousands of visitors. The festive air is enhanced by special rituals and cultural performances held within the ancient temple complex.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur celebrates Navratri with a regal touch, blending devotion with vibrant folk culture. Temples like the Govind Devji Temple are beautifully decorated and see large turnouts. The city also comes alive with Garba and Dandiya events, puppet shows, and performances of Rajasthani folk music and dance at various venues, including the heritage village Chokhi Dhani.
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
With the Ram Mandir now a focal point, Ayodhya's Navratri celebrations have gained immense significance. The city hosts a grand Ramlila, a theatrical performance depicting the life of Lord Ram. The entire city is illuminated, and the banks of the Sarayu River become a site for grand evening aartis and devotional gatherings, attracting pilgrims from all over.
