Festival Calendar
Festivals in October
34 festivals happening across India in October
Bastar Dussehra
India longest Dussehra — 75 days of tribal celebrations. Danteshwari Devi pulled in chariot by tribal communities.
Bathukamma
Telangana unique floral festival. Women create beautiful flower stacks and float them on lakes. Culminates on Saddula Bathukamma.
Bathukamma at Bhadrakali Lake
The most photogenic Bathukamma immersion. Thousands of flower stacks floated on Bhadrakali Lake at sunset.
Bhimakali Dussehra
Animal sacrifice and tantric rituals at the ancient Bhimakali Temple (800 CE) during Navaratri, with the goddess carried in a silver palanquin through Sarahan village.
Cauvery Sankriti (Tula Sankramana)
Sacred spring of the Cauvery River at Talacauvery erupts at a predicted moment. Thousands witness the Theerthodbhava. Pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters.
Chamba Dussehra
Unlike the Ramlila-based Dussehra elsewhere, Chamba celebrates with a week-long rath yatra of Raghuvir and Lakshmi Narayan deities through town streets.
Chitrakoot Deepotsav
Thousands of oil lamps lit along the ghats of Mandakini River at Ram Ghat, recreating the scene of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya as described in the Ramcharitmanas.
Diwali Beach Celebration
Beachside Diwali with community bonfire, local sweets, eco-friendly celebrations.
Durga Puja (Cuttack Silver Edition)
Cuttack Durga Puja famous for silver filigree pandal decorations — unique to this city. Thousands of Tarakasi artisans create pandals with silver.
Ekta Diwas (Unity Day)
Sardar Patel birthday celebrated at the world's tallest statue (182m). Light shows, cultural programs.
Gandhi Jayanti Heritage Walk
Special heritage walks through British ruins on the renamed island.
Gangotri Diwali (Temple Closing)
The temple closes for winter on Diwali day with grand celebrations; the deity is carried in a palanquin procession to Mukhba for the winter.
Hanle Stargazing Festival
Astronomy event at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle at 4,500m — one of the world's highest observatories — with public telescope sessions and astrophotography.
Hogenakkal Mela
Local fair combining coracle races, oil massage demonstrations, fish cooking competitions, and folk performances. Small-scale but authentic celebration of Hogenakkal's unique culture.
Kakatiya Utsavam
Heritage celebration at the UNESCO site honoring Kakatiya dynasty. Cultural programs, classical dance, and historical reenactments.
Kinnaur Dussehra (Fulaich)
Celebrated a month after mainstream Dussehra with grape and apple wine offerings, Kinnauri Nati dances, and bonfires in Kalpa and Reckong Peo.
Kishtwar Saffron Festival
Festival celebrating Kishtwar's high-altitude saffron harvest with field tours, saffron-infused cuisine, and cultural performances of the Kishtwari folk tradition.
Kullu Dussehra
The internationally famous 7-day Dussehra festival where 200+ local deities are carried in processions to the Dhalpur Maidan to pay homage to Lord Raghunath.
Kullu Dussehra
200+ village deities carried in palanquins. Unlike rest of India, Kullu Dussehra STARTS when everyone else's ends.
Lansdowne Autumn Festival
Garhwal Rifles regimental town hosts a cultural festival with military band performances, nature trails, and heritage walks through this quiet cantonment.
Marwar Festival
Folk music and dance celebrating Rajasthani heroes under Mehrangarh Fort in full moonlight.
Meera Mahotsav
Festival celebrating the mystic poet-saint Meera Bai at her temple in Chittorgarh Fort, with bhajan recitals and devotional music by renowned artists.
Mysore Dasara
Grand 10-day festival with illuminated Mysore Palace, cultural performances, torchlight parade, and the famous Jamboo Savari procession with a golden howdah on a decorated elephant.
Mysore Dasara Exhibition
Massive trade fair and amusement ground at the Exhibition Grounds. Giant wheel, food stalls, handicrafts. Running since 1880.
Nainital Autumn Festival
Week-long cultural extravaganza at Nainital's Flats ground with boat races on Naini Lake, flower shows, music performances, and heritage walks.
Navratri at Mahalaxmi Temple
Mahalaxmi Temple Shakti Peetha sees special pujas and massive crowds during Navratri. Goddess adorned differently each night.
Navratri Garba
Gujarat is the global capital of Navratri Garba. Vadodara hosts the biggest events with 50,000+ dancers. United Way Garba is legendary.
Paragliding World Cup
International pilots compete in cross-country paragliding from Billing takeoff (2,400m).
Prayagraj Rasa Leela
Traditional Rasa Leela performances depicting Krishna's divine dance, staged at ghats along the Yamuna during the autumn full moon.
Rajgir Dance Festival
Classical dance festival at Rajgir's natural amphitheater surrounded by 5 hills. Performers from across India.
Srivari Brahmotsavam
Nine-day grand festival at Tirumala with deity processions on different vahanas (vehicles) each day. Attracts millions of devotees.
Tihar (Deepawali)
The Nepali version of Diwali celebrated over 5 days with Kukur Tihar (dog worship), Gai Tihar (cow worship), and Bhai Tika.
Vijayawada Dussehra (Durga Navaratri)
One of India grandest Dussehra celebrations. Kanaka Durga Temple lit up spectacularly. Millions gather for 10-day Navaratri.
Wildlife Week
Nature walks, film screenings, photography exhibitions, and educational safaris for children at Tadoba.