Have a great long weekend ahead. Plan a quick holiday around any of these cities known as Dussehra festivities. This year, it's time again - good is going to destroy evil - and you should not miss festivities across the country! Read on to get an idea of how different communities in India are celebrating the Dussehra festival. There are some best places to visit during dussehra festival.
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Best Places to Visit during Dussehra[/caption]
Delhi
Dussehra in Delhi is one of the most dramatic and entertaining forms of the festival. 9 days of worship and fasting culminated in a loud firework display while Ravana's putla and the brothers were burned.
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Dussehra in Delhi[/caption]
The night sky lights up with crackers as puppets explode on the cheering crowd in the parks. Watch a show of Ramlila, the theatrical portrayal of eternal good defeats the story of evil. Popular Ramlila performances in Delhi are those in Ramlila Maidan, Red Fort Land and one in Red Fort lawns.
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Varanasi
Dussehra in Varanasi is a completely different experience. Here, you will see Ram Lila's Delhi - style performances as well as Durga Puja in the true spirit of Kolkata.
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Dussehra in Varanasi[/caption]
One of Ram Lila's most famous performances takes place about 15 km from Varanasi, in Ramnagar; an ancient tradition initiated by the King of Kashi. The large presence of Bengali society ensures that part of Varanasi takes the flavor of Bengali 'Puja'; complete with the immersion of the diety in the Ganga.
Kolkata
See Kolkata in its glory, during Durga Puja, as this festival is known in West Bengal. Kolkata turns into this beautiful, noisy and colorful place with people dressed in traditional clothes. Music is so religious, and food is a great treat! Hop from one pandal to another and experience the joy of absolute tradition.
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Dussehra in Kolkata[/caption]
You can spend an evening enjoying the culture at a dance-rock show at the Duck and Dhanuchi show at aarti time. Keep the last day of Pooja free and check out the famous Sindoor Khela - a very exciting ceremony where married women wear traditional saree and smear red sindoor on each other. Enjoy the fireworks on the last day when the idol Durga dives into the river.
Mysore
Given the status of the state festival, Dasara, as it is known in Karnataka, is a tradition dating back more than 400 years. Mysore Royals take the lead in this 10 day extravaganza. Mysore Palace is lit for ten nights with thousands of lights. With the palace presented as a background, every evening there are programs with themes focusing on dance, music and Karnataka culture.
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Dussehra in Mysore[/caption]
Watch the elephant procession that starts from the palace and leads to the land of Dasara. Take a closer look at the royal elephants leading the procession. Keep some time to stroll around the Dasara Gallery - held every year since 1880, where you can enjoy the true feeling of local food, shopping and horseback riding.
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Kullu
Another festive of royal festivity, Dussehra in Kullu, takes a different twist. The idols of the gods and goddesses are placed on the heads of worshipers in a procession on earth where they meet the main God, Lord Raghunath. The celebrations last for 7 days, the last day the march was led to the river Beas where a pile of wood was set on fire.
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Dussehra in Kullu[/caption]
This shows the symbolic burning of Ravana Lanka. Join the buzz of the procession led by the King of Kullu - get a great look at the giant psalms with strange flutes. Shop at local store original handicraft product. Enjoy the real Kullu taste in this show - there are a lot of dance and music.
Gujarat
In Gujarat Dussehra festival is called as Navratri. Navratri is celebrated with every night of dance music - favorite dance form is the traditional Garba.
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Dussehra in Gujarat[/caption]
It's 9 days of loud blows and Dundee sticks - and if you are lonely, it's time to reconcile! The traditional Gujarati base is racing against the base - so get in one and dance all night! Get an invitation to Garba if you are looking to check out the qualified crowd.
Related Blog - Places to Visit in Dussehra
Barara
Parana Ravana holds the record for being the tallest Ravana putla in the world. This small town is located near Ambala, about 80 km from Chandigarh.
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Dussehra in Barara[/caption]
Every year, the putla's height, about two hundred feet now, increases by a few feet.
