10 Great Places in India to Celebrate Navratri That Will Stay with You
India is a very diverse country, and its festivals show this better than anything else. During these times, the country is full of colour, energy, and devotion. Navratri is a nine-night, ten-day carnival of faith and fun that goes on all over the country. It brings people together in a colourful display of culture. 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 A picture from Pinterest 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 A picture from travel site India. 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 A picture from Pinterest 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 A picture from Pinterest 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. 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