Festive Fever: Celebrations are on this October!

“The greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals” – Siddharth Katragadda

From the dawn of January to the dusk of December, India remains immersed in a number of festivals celebrated in every part of the country. Needless to mention, every Indian festival has its importance and is beautiful in its own way. But the festive bells that ring in October are as grand as it gets. Across cultures and around the globe, October is the month that includes themes of light, color, and food. Here is a quick list of what October has in store.

1. Navratri

When: 1 October – 10 October

Where: Across the country; most vibrant in Gujarat, Varanasi, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai

A festival celebrated across India to honour the Mother Goddess is a buzz spread out in the month of October. Though the festival is observed in all cities, to feel the authenticty of Navratri one must head to Gujarat, where the festival truly belongs. During the nine days, one can witness Garba nights and Dandiya Raas throughout Gujarat.

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2. Dussehra

When: 11 October

Where: PAN India; majorly in Mysore, Karnataka and Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of Navratri, celebrating the victory of Lord Ram over Ravana. Although it is celebrated throughout the country, there is something special about the Mysore and Kullu Dussehra. While Mysore Dasara is a 10-day celebration, Kullu Dussehra continues for 7 days. The main attraction of Dussehra in Mysore and Kullu is 1 lakh light bulbs in Mysore Palace and Rath Yatra, respectively.

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3. Durga Puja

When: 1 October – 10 October

Where: Various parts of India; but with extra vigour in Kolkata

Durga Puja and Dussehra are twin festivals celebrated across India with great enthu. Durga Puja marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. The 10 days of fast, feast, worship of Goddess Durga and pandal hopping is a jubilation for Bengalis throughout the country.

4. Rajasthan International Folk Festival

When: 13 October – 17 October

Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Bringing together local folk artists and musicians from across the globe, Rajasthan International Folk festival is one of the most exquisite experiences of a lifetime. The festival is endorsed by UNESCO as a “Peoples’ Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development.” One can visit www.jodhpurriff.org for the tickets and to browse through the program list.

5. Diwali

When: 30 October

Where: All over the country

Dubbed as the “festival of lights”, Diwali is one of the world’s most ancient traditions. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world with an underlying theme i.e. the victory of good over evil and the triumph of light over darkness. The entire nation comes aglow with fireworks, lanterns and lights.

Hope you enjoy each and every festivity of the year. For now, Happy October to you. 🙂