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Dussehra 2024: Celebrate Dussehra In These 8 Ways

Dussehra 2023

‘Raghukul reet sadaa chali ai, praan jaae par vachan mai jaai
Jai Raghuvanshi Ayodhyapati Ram Chandra ki jai
Siyavar Ram Chandra kii jai’

As these words blare in the background and a bow is shot at an effigy of Ravana, a sight to behold!

From Dussehra to Diwali followed by Christmas celebrations, the last 3 months of the year are the highlights of the festive season in India. One of the biggest celebrations is the Navratri festival celebration in India. The 9-day long Hindu festival is a colourful and vibrant celebration. At the end of the 9 days of Navratri, the 10th day is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijayadashmi. Like every year, Dussehra 2024 will also be celebrated with a lot of pomp and grandiosity across the country.

Dussehra 2024 Date

According to the Gregorian calendar, Dussehra 2024 falls on 12th October 2024.

Why Do We Celebrate Dussehra?

Goddess Durga – One of the many gods worshipped on Dussehra
Image Credit: Tara Shankar Snai

There are several significant reasons why Dussehra is celebrated so splendidly in different parts of India. such reasons and different ways to celebrate Dussehra. The Dussehra festival in India marks the victory of good over evil. The win of Goddess Durga over demon Mahishasur. Celebrating the victory of the Hindu God Rama over the demon Ravana, massive effigies of Ravana are burnt on huge grounds. Processions carrying statues of Hindu gods and goddesses like Durga, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Ganesha are taken out.

There are different ways Dussehra is celebrated in different parts of India. Here are 6 ways to enjoy the celebrations of Dussehra 2024 in India.

1. Dussehra celebrations at home

What better way to kickstart your festivities rather than spending time with your family at home? Start your Dussehra 2024 celebrations by planning fun activities in the days leading up to Dussehra. Plan a short getaway to a nearby tourist destination, go out for an exquisite dinner followed by a movie or some other bonding activities. You can also get together with your extended family by organising a puja at home or games night.

2. Exchanging gifts with friends and family

The best part about festivals is you get a chance to shower your friends and family with love in the form of gifts. Start with stepping out and shopping together with your family. Spend the day shopping for clothes, house stuff, etc. Shopping for electronics or gold during the Dussehra festival in India is considered auspicious. Shoppers are lured by several deals and discounts in the festive period.

3. Take a break from festivals with a trip

October in India is a great time as the winter weather is just setting in. This makes it the best time for a vacation in India. This year celebrate Dussehra in a different way. How about you plan a trip with family or friends instead?

Simply take one leave and celebrate Dussehra with a rejuvenating vacation. The entire country is glistening in the festive mood so plan your trip accordingly. If you have enough holidays, you can also plan a short & cheap international trip from India with our affordable International Tour Packages and hassle-free visa application services.

However, it is best if you explore India at this time of the year. Here are some amazing tourist destinations in India to visit for Dussehra 2024.

Gujarat

Gujarat is the most decked up for this 10-day festival. Locals are fully dressed up in traditional attires, huge pandals are set up and thousands of people gather to dance to the energetic tunes of garba music under the flashiest lights. On Dussehra, huge processions are taken out for idols of gods and goddesses. Visitors flock to Gujarat, especially Vadodara and Ahmedabad. Check out our Gujarat Tour Packages to enjoy the best 10 days of dance, songs, decorative illuminations and festive mood.

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Just like Gujarat, Mumbai is soaking in the ‘Garba nights’ culture. But mainly you can see larger-than-life pandals of goddesses and melas spread out in major localities around the city. Street vendors from around the country gather to sell all kinds of stuff. Take a trip to Mumbai and watch the city sink in the upcoming festive galore. Mumbai is well-connected with major cities in India as well as the world. Akbar Travels offers CODE ‘SWADES’ for discounts up to Rs.5,000 on cheap flight bookings online to Mumbai.

Jagdalpur, Chattisgarh

Jagadalpur’s indigenous culture holds a 75-day long festival and Dussehra is the highlight of the festival. The rituals include worshipping Goddess Danteshwari as well as other tribal deities of Bastar. There are several chariots and ceremonial processions in honour of these deities. Experience this festival with unique rituals only in Chattisgarh’s Jagdalpur.

Kolkata, West Bengal

Grand Durga Pujo celebrations in Kolkata, West Bengal
Image Credit: Rudra Narayan Mitra

Durga Pooja celebrations are havoc as the entire city of Kolkata has turned into a huge celebration ground. The idols of the goddess Durga are placed in pandals with the most unique themes you can think of. Even Goddess Durga is also given the most unique avatars suiting the theme. Over the time of 9 days, explore household pujas, small public pandals as well as huge ones. The 10th day of Dussehra is celebrated by taking out processions for Goddess Durga and immersing her idol in the water. Explore the surrealism of Durgo Puja with our West Bengal Tour Packages.

Rajasthan

Effigies of Raavan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnad in Kota
Image Credit: ABP Live

Rajasthan celebrates Dussehra in a very traditional style, i.e. by burning the effigies of Ravana. A procession is led up to the ground where arrangements are made to light up the effigies of Ravana and also Kumbhakarna and Meghnad. A flaming arrow is shot at the effigy as it burns and the crackers stuffed inside are lit covering the night sky with sparkles. Experience the royal Dussehra 2024 celebration with a trip to Rajasthan. Add to the royalness by staying at one of the exquisite and affordable hotels in Rajasthan for cheap by booking hotels online.

Mysore, Karnataka

Mysore celebrates Dussehra to commemorate the victory of Goddess Chamundeshwari over the evil Mahishasur. A decorative procession full of horses, elephants, camels, musicians, dancers and a vibrantly decorated palanquin, is taken from the palace to Banni Mantap. Once you are done with the Dussehra celebrations, Karnataka offers some amazing natural and cultural tourist destinations you can explore with our Karnataka Tour Packages.

4. Dance your heart out with Garba

Ladies playing Garba in Gujarat
Image Credit: Gujarat Headline

“Kesariyo Rang Tanne Lagyo Leya Garba
Kesariyo Rang Tanne Lagyo Re Lol”

Imagine dancing to these tunes, with the eccentric voice of Falguni Pathak. The nine days before Dussehra are filled with a lot of fun and dancing. Garba programmes are organised in several places in India. Big cities organise garba nights on large scales and many people join in to dance their hearts out to those tunes. Gujarat is the best place to spend these nine days. You will see people decked up in ethnic attire and get together with their groups to dance the night away.

**5. Go Pandal hopping with your friends**

In many places around the country, especially in West Bengal, Durga Pooja celebrations are a big deal. Get your friends together and spend your evening hopping from one Durga pandal to the other. Relish the delicious prasad given out to the devotees and enjoy the aartis.

6. Deck up or revamp your home

What better time to give your home an upgrade other than the festive season? Deck up your home with lights, plants or new upholstery. This will add a new and positive vibe to your home and get it ready for the festive season. Go a mile ahead by completely revamping your home by remodelling, painting, etc.

7. Invest and plan for your future

Dussehra 2024 is the most auspicious time of the year. There are different ways to celebrate Dussehra and there are several timely traditions relating to this festival. One of the old-age traditions was to buy gold or silver on this day. Nowadays, people look forward to either investing in an FD or mutual funds or even putting a down payment for a new home or car.

8. Watch Ram Leela shows

Ram Leela shows around the country
Image Credit: CRS Photo

The Ram Leela shows display the entire story of Ramayana including the reason why the festival of Dussehra is celebrated. Many cities around the country are known to hold Ram Leela shows during the 10 days of celebrations. Kids and adults gather around to watch this mythological story unfold. The Ram Leelas of Delhi are famous worldwide.

Do you know some more ways in which Dussehra is celebrated? Tell us in the comments how the festival is celebrated in your state and how you plan on celebrating Dussehra 2024.

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