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Where to go, key 2026 dates and planning tips for India's biggest autumn festival season
The festive season is India's busiest travel window of the year. Navratri 2026 runs from 11 to 19 October, Dussehra (Vijayadashami) falls on Tuesday, 20 October, and some regions celebrate on their own calendars — Mysuru's Jamboo Savari is on Wednesday, 21 October. If you want to see the festival at its grandest rather than just at home, these six destinations are worth planning around.
For the meaning and rituals of each day, see our Navratri 2026 guide to all 9 days.
| Destination | State | Festival | 2026 dates / highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mysuru | Karnataka | Mysuru Dasara | 11–21 Oct; Jamboo Savari on 21 Oct |
| Kullu | Himachal Pradesh | Kullu Dussehra | Begins on Vijayadashami (20 Oct) and runs for about a week |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | Durga Puja | Peak days across Shashthi to Dashami in the second half of Navratri |
| Ahmedabad & Vadodara | Gujarat | Navratri Garba | Nine nights, 11–19 Oct |
| Jagdalpur (Bastar) | Chhattisgarh | Bastar Dussehra | Climax around Navratri and Dussehra |
| Varanasi & Ramnagar | Uttar Pradesh | Ramlila and Dussehra | Ramlila builds up to Dussehra on 20 Oct |
Dates for regional events follow local panchangs and organising committees, so confirm final schedules with official sources before booking.
Mysuru Dasara, Karnataka's Nada Habba (state festival), is one of the most elaborate Dussehra celebrations in the country. In 2026 it runs from Sunday, 11 October to Wednesday, 21 October.
Most national calendars list Dussehra on 20 October, but Mysuru follows the Mysuru panchanga, which places Vijayadashami — and the Jamboo Savari procession — on 21 October. Reports place the ceremonial floral tribute in the afternoon of that day.
Mysuru is about 145 km from Bengaluru, usually a 3–3.5 hour drive, though festival traffic slows this down. Most visitors fly into Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. Roads are rerouted on procession day, so arrive by 20 October if you want to see the Jamboo Savari.
Kullu Dussehra is unlike any other in India. Instead of burning Ravana effigies on day one, the festival begins on Vijayadashami and continues for about a week at Dhalpur Maidan. Hundreds of village deities are carried in palanquins from across the Kullu Valley to pay homage to Lord Raghunath, the valley's presiding deity.
Kullu lies about 40 km before Manali on the Delhi–Manali route. The nearest airport is Bhuntar, close to Kullu town. Combine the trip with Manali, Naggar or the Tirthan Valley as the weather turns crisp in late October.
Durga Puja in Kolkata is recognised by UNESCO on its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The city turns into an open-air gallery of themed pandals, many of them elaborate works of art.
Exact Durga Puja timings follow the Bengali panjika. Book stays early, use the metro where possible and expect very heavy evening crowds.
Gujarat celebrates all nine nights of Navratri with Garba and Dandiya Raas — circle dances performed in vibrant chaniya cholis and kediyus. Vadodara is famous for some of the largest Garba grounds in the state, while Ahmedabad combines big ticketed events with traditional neighbourhood (sheri) garbas.
Bastar Dussehra in Jagdalpur is widely described as one of India's longest festivals, spread across about 75 days. Like Kullu, it is not about Rama and Ravana: it honours Goddess Danteshwari, the presiding deity of Bastar, and brings together tribal communities from across the region.
Combine the trip with Chitrakote Falls, often called India's Niagara, which is at its fullest after the monsoon.
The Ramlila of Ramnagar, across the Ganga from Varanasi, is a month-long, open-air performance of the Ramayana staged across different locations of the town, with scenes moving from place to place and the audience following on foot. The Ramlila tradition is also recognised by UNESCO.
In Varanasi itself, Dussehra on 20 October brings Ravana Dahan at several grounds, while the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat continues through the season.
Tuesday, 20 October 2026, according to most national calendars.
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, following the Mysuru panchanga.
Kullu Dussehra and Bastar Dussehra are known for traditions centred on local deities rather than the Rama–Ravana story.
Kolkata is the best-known destination, with thousands of community pandals.
Ahmedabad and Vadodara in Gujarat host some of the largest Garba celebrations in the country.
With Navratri on 11–19 October, Dussehra on 20 October and Mysuru's Jamboo Savari on 21 October, late October 2026 offers some of India's most memorable travel experiences. Choose your destination, book early and check official schedules before you travel.
