Smiling Faces and devoted spirits – come September-October and the shades of various cultures and traditions of India are prepared to astonish. The period of celebrations starts with the popular Dussehra, otherwise called Durga Puja and Vijayadashami in various parts of the nation. From Gujarat to Arunachal and Himachal to Karnataka, the whole country radiates its ethnic class amid this ten-day celebration.
Dussehra in India is praised with extraordinary power and merriments by the Hindus. The celebration denotes the triumph of good over evil. The 10-day long festival incorporates melas and Ramlila– an institution of the scenes from Ramayana. On the tenth day, there is the scene of Ravana Dahan. This is trailed by the burning of the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna.
The melas are held at different Ramlila grounds across the nation and incorporate food stalls, game stalls, ferris-wheels, & other fun activities. The festival regions are illuminated splendidly and even well known famous people show up at the most mainstream Ramlila spots.
In the midst of the considerable number of shared traits, the lesser known truth is that explanations behind Dussehra festivities vary from place to place and so do the components. As the stages are being set for the most important merriments, we presently convey to you the better among the best Dussehra festivities in India.
Kolkata: Durga Puja
Witness Kolkata in her brilliance, amid Durga Puja, as this celebration is known in West Bengal. Kolkata changes into this perfectly boisterous and beautiful place with individuals wearing traditional outfits. The music has this religious intensity to it and the cooking is a foodie’s pleasure! Bounce from one pandal to the next and encounter the delight of unadulterated convention. Spend a night drenching up the cultures and traditions at a dance– shake at a Dhaak and Dhanuchi show at aarti time.
Keep the last day of Puja free and look at the well known Sindoor Khela – an exceptionally sensational service where hitched ladies spruce up in conventional sarees and spread red sindoor on one another. Appreciate firecrackers on the last day when the Durga idol is submerged in the river Ganga.
Mysore: Dasara
Given the stature of a state celebration, Dasara, as it is known in Karnataka, is a convention that goes back more than four hundred years. The Mysore royals lead the pack in this multi day event. The Mysore Castle is lit up for ten evenings with a large number of lights. With the Royal residence filling in as a setting, each night there are programs with topics that middle around dance, music and the culture of Karnataka. Watch the elephant parade which begins at the Palace and paves the way to the Dasara ground. Get a close look at the dolled up regal elephants which lead the parade.
Keep some time to roam around at the Dasara exhibition – held each year since 1880, this is the place you get the genuine ‘mela’ feeling with local food, shopping and joyrides.
Gujarat: Navratri
In Gujarat, Dussehra is called Navratri. Navrati is celebrated with dusk ’til dawn affairs of dance and music – the dance type being the traditional Garba. It is nine long days of heart ceasing music beats and dandiya sticks – and in case you’re single, it’s match making time! Traditional Gujarati outfits rule – so get into one and dance the night through!
Kullu: Dussehra
Another regal lead celebration, Dussehra in Kullu takes an alternate twist. Idols of divine beings and goddesses are carried on the heads of enthusiasts and devotees in a parade to a ground where they meet the principle God, Lord Raghunath. Merriments bear on for seven days, the last day of which the parade is directed to the river Beas where a heap of wood is set on flames. This connotes the symbolic burning of Ravana’s Lanka. Join the display of the parade which is driven by the King of Kullu – get a decent take at those strangely formed flutes. Shop at the local fair – stock up on real handicraft pieces. Experience the genuine Kullu at this fair – there’s loads of dance and music.
Varanasi
Dussehra in Varanasi is an alternate experience altogether. Here, you will observe Delhi style Ramlila shows and Durga Puja in the real Kolkata spirit. Indeed, a standout amongst the most well known Ramlila shows is held around 15 kilometers from Varanasi, in Ramnagar; an old custom begun by the King of Kashi. The enormous presence of the Bengali people group guarantees that parts of Varanasi take up a Bengali ‘puja’ flavour along with the immersion of the diety in Ganga.
Barara
The Barara Ravana effigy holds the record for being the tallest Ravana representation on the planet. This little town, near Ambala, is around 80 kilometers from Chandigarh. Consistently, the stature of the effigy, around two hundred feet currently, is expanded by a couple of feet.
Kota: Dussehra Mela
Kota is known for its month-long Dussehra mela. Craftsmans and specialists from neighboring towns offer their products here. You can appreciate cultural performances while tasting the best of Rajasthani cuisine. Make sure to remain back for the last Dussehra occasion where 75 ft-tall statues of Ravana, Meghnath and Kumbhakarna are set to burn.
