The month of October in India sets pace for the festive season in the country with exhilarating and captivating festivals for the locals as well as tourists all over the world. October is one of the best months to visit India for witnessing the grandeur and charm of the festivities. While all festivals are celebrated all over the country some places hold special significance in connection to certain festivals simply because of the way these get celebrated there.
Here are a few to help you make a pick for this year’s trip:
Durga Puja In Kolkata
The festival of Dussehra is celebrated here to celebrate the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon, Mahishasura. Conducted over a grand scale in Kolkata, West Bengal, the festival is a crazy time to visit this land of tradition and literary heritage. Lasting for 10 days, the festival brings out some of the best traditions of the city. People are dressed in their traditional wear and you can view authentic dances and music at this time. Additionally, you must also taste the street food, fish curry, and sweets of Kolkata. Pandal-hoping is the best way to visit the various pandals that are set-up ad decorated for Goddess Durga’s idols which are done up beautifully.
Navratri In Gujarat
These are the nine days preceding Dussehra and no one does Navratris better than the Gujaratis. For all nine nights, people gather and dance the traditional Garba Raas or Dandiya. You can also pick some great traditional attire and ‘dandiya’ from the markets and participate as well. Dance to the tunes of some traditional Gujarati folk songs or the latest Bollywood numbers. Awesome Navratri pandals, great food and lively music with lots of dancing make this festival a must-experience thing in Gujarat.
Dasara In Mysore
The Mysore Dasara is renowned for its magnificence and grandeur. Celebrated primarily at the Mysore Palace, the festival also sees the rest of the city joyously participating. More than a lakh bulbs are used to illuminate the Mysore Palace at this time and the scene is breathtakingly beautiful at night. In addition to that there are fairs and exhibitions across the city that add to the festive fervor. A grand procession is taken out to mark the event. It showcases decked up elephants, dance troops, music groups, and several cultural activities.
Yemshe Festival In Nagaland
This festival is celebrated in the North Eastern state of Nagaland and draws out the festive spirit of the simple and earthy Nagas. The Pochury tribe celebrates this festival in two parts, small Yemshe and Big Yemshe. The primary motive of this festival is to relax and enjoy as the people toil hard during the year. There are dances, feats and exhibitions that make the whole atmosphere fun and vibrant.
International Folk Festival – Jodhpur
This festival is celebrated to bring together all the folk music groups and bands from all parts of the world at Jodhpur, the Blue City. Celebrated at the Mehrangarh Fort, the festival, which is also endorsed by the UNESCO, is the place to be for all folk music lovers.
Diwali In Jaipur
While Diwali, the festival of lights draws out the best visuals anywhere and everywhere across India; it is in Jaipur that the festival is celebrated at its grandest best. There are several fairs, exhibitions and displays held in the city. The markets are decorated with exquisite lighting showcasing elaborate designs and a competition is also held to pick a winner of the most well lit market. Stalls full of crackers, delicious foods and sweets, and handicrafts line the streets while performances by folk dancers and musicians lend a mystical touch to the whole ambience.