The name “Navratri” means “nine nights,” and the festival is about the triumph of good over evil. It honours the defeat of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga in most of India. In some places, it marks the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king Ravana and his return to Ayodhya. The stories may be different, but they all have the same spirit: a celebration of hope, positivity, and the power of the divine.
Travelling during Navratri is the best way to really get to know the heart of India. Each part of the country has its own way to celebrate this great festival. In the south, there are big parades; in the west, there are lively folk dances; and in the east, there are elaborate idol worship.
“Here is a list of the 10 best places in India to celebrate Navratri to help you plan your holiday trip.”
1. Kolkata, West Bengal: The Big Show of Durga Puja
Durga Puja is the biggest and most important festival of the year in West Bengal. It is also known as Navratri. Kolkata becomes a huge open-air art gallery, with thousands of beautiful temporary temples called pandals. The energy, creativity, and dedication on display are just amazing.
Why You Should Go to Navratri
- The main thing to do at Pandal Hopping is to look around the creative and artistic pandals. The themes of each one are different, from old-fashioned to modern.
- Witness the incredible skill of the artisans who make the beautiful clay idols of Goddess Durga.
- Sindoor Khela: On the last day (Vijayadashami), married women play with red vermilion powder and smear it on each other as a sign of a happy married life before the idol is taken for immersion.
- Food that tastes great: The streets are full of food stalls selling the best Bengali dishes, from street food like puchkas to traditional sweets like sandesh.
Pro Tip
- The Kalighat Kali Temple and the Belur Math are two of the best temples to visit.
- The Kolkata Metro is the best way to go pandal hopping because it runs late into the night during Puja. It helps you stay away from the huge traffic jams on the roads.
2. Ahmedabad and Vadodara, Gujarat: The Land of Garba and Dandiya
People all over the world know about Navratri, a nine-night dance festival in Gujarat. The sounds of folk music and the sight of thousands of people in colourful traditional clothes dancing all night long bring the whole state to life. Garba and Dandiya Raas are the two most common types of dance.
Why You Should Go to Navratri
- Energetic Garba Nights: Feel the amazing energy of thousands of people dancing in perfect circles around a lamp or picture of the Goddess.
- Traditional clothes are very colourful. You can see men and women wearing beautiful traditional clothes like chaniya choli for women and kediyu for men.
- The Garbo is a decorated earthenware pot with a lamp inside that stands for the womb and the source of life.
- Vadodara is famous for having some of the biggest Garba events in the world. One event even got into the Limca Book of Records because it had more than 40,000 dancers.
Pro Tip
- Khodiyar Mandir (Bhavnagar) and Chamunda Mata Mandir (Chotila) are the best places to celebrate.
- You don’t have to be a professional dancer to join in, which is a pro tip. It’s easy to learn the basic steps of Garba. Just do what the locals do. The happy mood makes everyone feel welcome.
3. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: A Celebration of Religion and Theatre
Navratri is a very spiritual and traditional event in the holy city of Varanasi. The celebrations are known for putting on Ramlila, a play that reenacts the life of Lord Ram from the epic Ramayana. People put on these plays on stages in lanes and parks all over the city.
Why You Should Go to Navratri
- Ramlila Shows: Seeing a live Ramlila performance, especially the one near Ramnagar Fort, is a unique cultural experience that has been going on for hundreds of years.
- Akhand Jyoti: As a sign of hope, many homes and temples light a “Akhand Jyoti,” which is a lamp that stays lit for all nine days.
- Spiritual Atmosphere: At this time, the ghats of the River Ganga have a special spiritual energy, and prayers and devotional music fill the air.
Pro Tip
- Best Temples to Visit: Kanaka Durga Mandir, Annapurna Devi Mandir.
- One good piece of advice is to go for a boat ride on the Ganga at night. You can see the lit-up ghats and the parties along the riverbank very well from here.
4. Bastar, Chhattisgarh: A One-of-a-Kind Tribal Dussehra
The way people in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh celebrate Navratri and Dussehra is very different from how people in other parts of India celebrate it. It lasts for 75 days, which makes it one of the longest festivals in the world! It is a tribal festival that honours the goddess Danteshwari, who is the goddess of the area.
Why You Should Go to Navratri
- A Special Tribal Custom: This festival doesn’t have anything to do with Ram or Durga. It’s a celebration of nature, spirituality, and tribal culture.
- The Procession of the Chariot: Witness ancient rituals where deities from surrounding villages are carried on a massive wooden chariot, pulled by hundreds of people.
- It’s a real, raw, and non-commercialised festival that gives you a deep look into the old ways of life in India’s tribal communities.
Pro Tip
- The best temples to see are Danteshwari Temple in Dantewada and Maa Bamleshwari Devi in Dongargarh.
- This is a destination for the culturally curious and adventurous traveller. It’s best to hire a local guide to explain the meaning of the complicated ceremonies.
5. Mumbai, Maharashtra: A Place Where Many Holidays Come Together
Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city that celebrates Navratri with a great mix of customs. There are beautiful Durga Puja pandals like those in Kolkata, and huge Garba and Dandiya nights that are just as good as those in Gujarat.
Why It’s a Must-Visit for Navratri
- See and do everything in one city: Mumbai has the best of both worlds, with art pandals and dance parties that go all night.
- Community Celebrations: Lots of housing societies and neighbourhoods put on their own Garba events, which are very friendly and welcoming.
- Ghatkopar and Borivali: These suburbs are famous for hosting some of the most vibrant and grand Dandiya events, often featuring famous singers.
Pro Tip
- Mumba Devi Temple and Mahalakshmi Temple are the best temples to see.
- Buy your tickets for the Dandiya nights ahead of time online, because the events with famous artists sell out quickly.
6. Katra, Jammu: A Religious Journey
Katra, the base town for the pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, is the best place to go for a purely spiritual and devotional Navratri experience. During Navratri, this temple draws in hundreds of thousands of worshippers. It is one of the most important Hindu shrines.
Why You Should Go There for Navratri
- A Very Spiritual Setting: The whole town of Katra and the path to the temple are full of strong spiritual energy, and the mountains echo with chants and hymns.
- Beautiful Decorations: Flowers and lights decorate the temple and the whole path that leads to it.
- A Journey of Faith: The walk to the shrine is seen as a journey of faith, and doing it during the holy time of Navratri is thought to be very special.
Pro Tip
- The best temples to visit are Maa Vaishno Devi and Kol Kandoli Mata.
- Navratri is the best time to visit Vaishno Devi. Plan your trip and book your hotel months in advance. You can also book helicopter rides or pony rides online to skip the long lines.
Check out the local festivals of Jammu and Kashmir
7. Mysore, Karnataka: A Royal Dasara Celebration
Dasara (or Dussehra) is the name for Navratri in Karnataka, and the biggest celebration happens in the royal city of Mysore. Known as “Nadahabba” or the state festival, the Mysore Dasara is a 10-day event that carries on traditions that are over 400 years old.
Why It’s a Must-Visit for Navratri
- The Illuminated Mysore Palace: Every night, nearly 100,000 light bulbs light up the whole Mysore Palace, making it look absolutely stunning.
- The Jumboo Savari: The festival ends with a big parade on Vijayadashami. Elephants with decorations carry the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari on a golden seat.
- Cultural Events: There are many cultural events on the palace grounds, such as music and dance shows, over the course of ten days.
Pro Tip
- Mysore Palace and Chamundeshwari Temple are two of the best places to visit.
- To get a good spot to watch the Jumboo Savari procession, you should arrive at least 3–4 hours early because it gets very crowded.
8. Kullu, Himachal Pradesh: A Dussehra in the Valley
The Dussehra celebration in Kullu is very special because it starts on Vijayadashami, which is the last day of the Navratri festival in the rest of India. It lasts for a week and begins with a big parade.
Why You Should Go to Navratri
- Parade of Gods: You can see a special tradition where more than 200 idols of local village gods are carried on palanquins to the main ground to honour the main god, Lord Raghunath.
- Folk Music and Dance: The festival is a lively display of Himachali culture, with folk music, dance performances, and a big fair.
- Beautiful Place: The celebration is in the beautiful Kullu Valley, with the majestic Himalayas in the background.
Pro Tip
- Sri Naina Devi Temple and Hadimba Temple (Manali) are two of the best temples to visit.
- The Dhalpur Maidan (ground) in Kullu is where the main events and cultural programmes of the Kullu Dussehra take place. This is where you can really feel the festival’s heart.
9. The Festival of Dolls (Golu) in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has a very unique and creative way of celebrating Navratri. The “Golu” or “Kolu” is the most important tradition. It is a beautiful display of dolls and figurines.
Why You Should Go During Navratri
- The Golu Display: People put dolls that look like gods, goddesses, saints, and scenes from everyday life on an odd-numbered set of stairs in their homes.
- Three Goddesses are worshipped: The nine nights are split up so that people can worship three goddesses: Durga (power) for the first three days, Lakshmi (wealth) for the next three days, and Saraswati (knowledge) for the last three days.
- Bonding with the community: People go to each other’s homes to see their Golu displays, sing devotional songs, and give each other small gifts.
Pro Tip
- The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai and the Sri Mutharamman Temple in Thoothukudi are two of the best temples to visit.
- If you know someone in Tamil Nadu, ask them if you can go to their house to see their Golu. This is the most real way to enjoy this beautiful tradition.
10. A Flower Festival in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
The nine days in Andhra Pradesh are all about worshipping the nine avatars of Goddess Durga. The Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada is where the main celebrations take place. “Bathukamma” is a unique flower festival that is famous in Telangana during Navratri.
Why You Should Go to Navratri
- Festival of Bathukamma: Watch as women make beautiful, conical stacks of seasonal flowers. They put these stacks in the middle, sing and dance around them, and then put them in a body of water.
- Worship of Navadurga: You can see the goddess at the Kanaka Durga Temple dressed up in a different way (avatar) every day for nine days.
- Bathukamma is a celebration of the connection between earth, water, and people, and it honours women.
Pro Tip
- The Kanakadurga Temple in Vijayawada and the Basara Saraswati Temple in Telangana are two of the best temples to visit.
- In Hyderabad, the Bathukamma celebrations at Tank Bund or Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium are huge public events that are great to see.
FAQs
Q. When will Navratri be in 2025?
A. The most popular Navratri, Sharad Navratri, will start on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Q. What’s the difference between Garba and Dandiya?
A. People dance Garba in a circle and clap their hands and do different moves. Dandiya Raas is a dance in which dancers hit each other’s sticks in a rhythmic pattern with a pair of decorated bamboo sticks.
Q. What should I wear if I visit during Navratri?
A. This is a great time to wear Indian clothes! A simple kurta or a colourful lehenga is perfect for women. A kurta-pajama is a good choice for men. When you go to temples, it’s best to dress modestly.
Q. Is it safe to travel alone during Navratri, especially at night?
A. The festival areas are usually very busy and full of life, which can make you feel safe. But it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings, stay away from places that are out of the way, and stay in well-lit, public areas, especially at night.
Q. Do I need to plan my travel and stay ahead of time for a Navratri trip?
A. Yes, for sure! During Navratri, which is a major holiday season in India, a lot of people travel. You should book your flights, trains, and hotels at least two to three months ahead of time to get good deals and make sure there is space.
Final Thoughts!
Navratri is more than just a holiday; it’s a nine-day trip through the heart of India’s culture, faith, and happiness. Seeing it in a new city is a great way to see the country’s amazing diversity at its most colourful. A Navratri vacation will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime, whether you’re dancing the night away at a Garba in Gujarat or watching a royal procession in Mysore.
So this year, get out and enjoy the party. If you want to make sure your holiday trip goes off without a hitch, you might want to work with travel experts like The Tarzan Way (TTW) to plan it.
