Navratri is one of the most popular Hindu festivals which is celebrated for 9 days. The Navratri ends with Dussehra which happens on the 10th day. This festival is celebrated in many ways in India. In North India, we celebrate with praying to Mata Rani’s 9 avatars on each specific day while many people fast for 9 days. In West Bengal, you will see Navratri festivites as Durga Puja, where Bengalis pray, dance, chant and play with colours. In Gujrat, you will witness people playing Dandiya or Garba. Whatever the way may be, the whole India celebrates Navratri in many ways making every single city happening and vibrant. But there are some specific places where you can enjoy this festival even more. As a travel blogger, I believe it is very important for me to share the best of suggestions to you. In this post, I am sharing best places to celebrate Navratri in India.
This year Navratri 2022 will begin on Monday 26 September and ends on Wednesday 5 October.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh:
Varanasi is one of the holiest and oldest cities in India. The Navratri is celebrated here with much high spirits. The beautiful ghats of Varanasi are lighted with thousands of diyas while it also commences the famous Ramlila on the first day of Navratri. Apart from this, Navratri pandals are decorated where Maa Durga and her 9 avatars are celebrated all throughout and 9 nights. The beautiful Ganga aarti is totally worth witnessing. This city is sure to give you divine intervention during the Navratri.
Kolkata, West Bengal:
As I mentioned in the introduction, Navratri in West Bengal is celebrated as Durga Puja, the entire city of Kolkata is decorated with so many beautiful Durga ma pandals. Special pujas happen as the ghats. There are also many dance festivals and plays happen during Navratri in Kolkata. You must visit Kolkata during the Navratri to witness a complete different way of celebration and witness the magic of Durga Puja. Durga Puja 2022 dates are 1 Oct to 5 Oct.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat:
Everyone knows of the famous Gujrati traditional dance Garba, that happens especially during the Navratris. Ahmedabad, being the capital city, celebrates Navratri on a very large scale. They have many Dandiya night festivals happens during the Navratris including the famous Falguni Pathak Dandiya Night. Navratri has an all together different colour in Gujrat and one must visit it.
Mysore, Karnataka:
One of the main reasons to visit Mysore during the Navratri is the beautiful Mysore Royal Palace which is lit with thousands of lights making it look beautiful as ever. Dasara or Nadahabba festival is a 10 days long festival, celebrated during the Navratris where music and dance concerts happen. Of all the festivities, the ceremonial procession is something that every waits for it as it takes place on the last day of Navratri i.e. on Dasara. On this day, an idol of goddess Chamundeshwari is taken around on the back of a decorated elephant. While elephants, camels, and horses are a part of the procession, dance groups, music bands, and decorated tableaux makes the jhanki (parade) even more beautiful.
Bastar, Chhattisgarh:
Ever heard Navratri celebrated for 75 days? Well, it happens in Bastar in Chhattisgarh. If you want to experience Navratri the tribal way, then this should be your choice. Unlike other places in India, the reason to celebrate Navratri or Dussehra is as the time when their local goddess Devi Mavli meets her other sisters. This 75-day long festival happens when different deities from neighbouring villages and towns are brought to Danteshwari temple in Jagdalpur. The deities are carried in beautifully decorated chariots that are made by local artisans. The people sing and dance to celebrate this festival.
Apart from this, you can enjoy the mix of Navratri with daniya dance and garba nights along with Ramlila and Durga Puja celebration in most of the North India including Delhi, Noida, Lucknow, Kanpur, etc.
Even Mumbai celebrates Navratri is all the possible forms, so you can celebrate the festival there too!
I totally love Navratri and I believe, those 9 nights are divine. So, no matter which God you worship and in which form you celebrate this festival, you must thank God and pray and celebrate in the best way possible. I keep fasts, visit garba nights, Mata Rani jagratas, Durga puja pandals and sometimes Ramlila too. It just makes me happy from within!
I really hope you found this article useful.
Also read:
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How I do Navratri Puja? Step by Step Navratri Puja Vidhi
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