This year, Dussehra will be observed on October 12, Saturday.
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated every year to commemorate the victory of good over evil as Lord Rama killed Ravana on this day. This year, the festival will be celebrated on October 12, Saturday. The word Dussehra is derived from two Sanskrit words – Dash, which means ten and Hara means defeat. The festival is celebrated with great fervour across the country. Effigies of Ravana are burnt in many parts of India to symbolise the destruction of evil. It also symbolises new beginnings and prosperity, with many people embarking on new ventures or journeys on this auspicious day. Now, as Dussehra 2024 is just around the corner, here are the 8 best places to celebrate the festival with your friends and family.
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
In Kullu, Dussehra is a grand celebration. Kullu Dussehra became an international event in 1972 and is attended by around 400,000 to 500,000 people from all over the world. Its main attraction is the week-long fair, which begins on Vijayadashami. Colourful processions with deities from nearby villages are taken out on beautifully decorated chariots. Locals dressed in traditional attire happily join in. At the end of the week, the idols are immersed in the Beas River.
Mysore, Karnataka
Mysore Dussehra, also known as Dussehra, is a royal festival celebrating the victory of truth over evil. Dussehra is a 10-day festival in the region that ends on Vijayadashami or the tenth day. The festival has its roots in the Wadiyar dynasty, which started the tradition of celebrating Dussehra in Mysore in the 16th century. Mysore Dussehra is known for its processions, which include elaborately decorated elephants, traditional music, and various cultural performances. It attracts tourists and devotees from all over the world.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Dussehra in Varanasi is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm. The Ramlila of Ramnagar, held on the banks of the Ganges, is one of the oldest and most famous presentations. In 2008, UNESCO declared the Ramlila of Ramnagar as one of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. What makes the celebrations here special is that the entire city turns into an open-air theatre. It lasts for over a month and is an important cultural event, where local artists depict the life of Lord Rama, followed by a grand burning of effigies of Ravana.
Delhi
Dussehra in Delhi is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm, especially in the form of Ramlila performances held at various places like Ramlila Maidan and Red Fort Ground. The main attraction here is the burning of huge effigies of Ravana, as well as those of his son Meghnad and brother Kumbhakaran, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. In Delhi, each locality also organizes its own Ramlila, bringing a festive atmosphere to the entire city.
Kota, Rajasthan
Kota is famous for its Dussehra Mela, a grand celebration that includes both religious rituals and cultural programs. Every year, thousands of people gather at the city’s famous Dussehra Mela Ground, where the grand fair is held. The main attraction of Kota Dussehra is the burning of huge effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakaran and his son Meghnad. These effigies, which are often several stories high, are filled with firecrackers and lit up by the king, lighting up the night sky with fireworks and the cheers of the crowd.
Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Bastar Dussehra, celebrated in the tribal region of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, is one of the longest Dussehra festivals in the country, lasting for over 45 days. Unlike the common narrative of Rama defeating Ravana, the festival has no connection to the Ramayana. Instead, it is dedicated to the worship of Bastar’s local goddess Danteshwari and other tribal deities. The cultural significance of Bastar Dussehra lies in its ability to unite the diverse tribes of Bastar, who showcase their traditional customs, music and dance in a grand celebration of devotion and community spirit.
Nashik, Maharashtra
Dussehra in Nashik is famous for its grand Dussehra celebrations. People gather at the city’s famous Ramkund Ghat to immerse idols of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in the Godavari River. The ten-day festival includes processions, cultural programmes and colourful rangoli decorations. The main attraction is Ravana Dahan, where a huge effigy of Ravana is set on fire, symbolising the victory of good over evil.
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Every year, the city of Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, erupts with vibrant festivities on the occasion of Dussehra. The city’s Ravana Dahan festival is unlike any other, attracting millions of devotees and tourists from across the world. The city is decked up with colourful decorations and huge effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are erected at various locations.
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