Durga Puja Celebrations Beyond Bengal

The religious festival of Durga Puja is marked by a kind of boisterous revelry seldom seen in other sacred events. The thrust isn’t on fasting and prayers as much as it is on feasting, adorning new clothes and socialising into the wee hours of the morning. Bengalis love to travel and many choose to spend this official holiday season exploring other festival celebrations in India. With local representation of this community throughout the country, it’s always possible to catch the customary morning rituals and community congregations (pandals), while taking in the sights and sounds of unusual locales. During this time, one can also witness the worship of goddess Durga in her various avatars throughout the country. Here are some truly magical alternatives to a Durga Puja spent outside Bengal.

Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Dussehra, which happens to be the last day of Durga Puja, and commemorates Lord Rama’s triumph over Ravana, is perhaps Kullu Valley’s biggest festival. Celebrations in this part of Himachal carry on for days. The Dhalpur maidan is famous for its festivities. Here, tableaus of hundreds of local deities are paraded and assembled before the presiding deity – Raghunathji. The majestic Dhauladars, outlined by flickering handheld mashaals at sundown, are a site to behold. Bugles rent the air and song, dance and pageantry are a common site in every village. The first signs of the icy Himalayan winter is evident by this time, making bonfire revelry that much more enjoyable. Manali, Malana and Kasol are all popular tourist locales that are easily accessible from Kullu town.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

The land of Gandhi bursts into nine nights of merriment during the Navratri period. People of all age groups come together to witness and take part in the community garba get-togethers, that carry on till late into the night. Entire neighbourhoods can be seen breaking into spirited dances around bonfires. Beautifully painted garba sticks and mirror-work costumes typical of the state add colour and sparkle to the celebrations. The Sabarmati Ashram just outside the city is a must-visit. Beyond city limits Ambaji, Mehsana, the Little Rann Wildlife Sanctuary, Patan, Shamlaji, Taranga Hills and Vadnagar are destinations worth exploring. 

Goa

This sandy haven may be known for its gorgeous sun-kissed beaches, delectable seafood and stunning Portuguese architecture. But being situated on the Konkan coast, it also happens to be within reach of the Navratri festivities. Different avatars of goddess Durga are worshipped in Saraswat Brahmin temples throughout the region for nine days. On the tenth day, representations of the goddess are taken on a procession accompanied by folk music. This aspect of the Navratri festivities has remained largely unexplored, and therefore the ever-curious Bengali traveller will enjoy this novel experience. Gastronomy, a cosmopolitan culture, beautiful settings and Goa’s laid-back ambience make it the ideal place to spend your holidays this year.

To avoid the rush of peak tourist season, it is best to plan your trip in advance and make hotel and flight bookings on MakeMyTrip.com.