Jagdalpur · Chhattisgarh
India longest Dussehra — 75 days of tribal celebrations. Danteshwari Devi pulled in chariot by tribal communities.
October (75 days!)
Hyderabad · Telangana
Telangana unique floral festival. Women create beautiful flower stacks and float them on lakes. Culminates on Saddula Bathukamma.
October (9 days)
Warangal · Telangana
The most photogenic Bathukamma immersion. Thousands of flower stacks floated on Bhadrakali Lake at sunset.
October
Sarahan · Himachal Pradesh
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.
October (Navaratri-Dussehra)
Coorg (Kodagu) · Karnataka
Sacred spring of the Cauvery River at Talacauvery erupts at a predicted moment. Thousands witness the Theerthodbhava. Pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters.
October 17-18
Chamba · Himachal Pradesh
Unlike the Ramlila-based Dussehra elsewhere, Chamba celebrates with a week-long rath yatra of Raghuvir and Lakshmi Narayan deities through town streets.
October (Ashvin Shukla Dashami)
Chitrakoot · Uttar Pradesh
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.
October (Kartik Amavasya / Diwali)
Nagpur · Maharashtra
Annual observance commemorating the historic mass conversion to Buddhism led by B. R. Ambedkar on October 14-15, 1956 at Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, when approximately 600,000 Dalits renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism. Celebrations feature processions with Ambedkar's blue flag and Buddha statues, conversion ceremonies, cultural programs, bhajans, and seminars.
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep) · Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Beachside Diwali with community bonfire, local sweets, eco-friendly celebrations.
October/November (lunar calendar)
Kolkata · West Bengal
UNESCO-inscribed Intangible Cultural Heritage festival celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga over evil. Kolkata hosts thousands of elaborate pandals (temporary structures), cultural performances, Dhunuchi Naach (incense stick dances), food stalls, and processions. The festival lasts 10 days, with the final five (Shashti to Vijaya Dashami) being most prominent. In 2022, the collective economy was ₹50,000 crores, employing three lakh people.
September-October (lunar calendar; 2026: late September / early October)
Cuttack · Odisha
Cuttack Durga Puja famous for silver filigree pandal decorations — unique to this city. Thousands of Tarakasi artisans create pandals with silver.
October (Ashwin Shukla)
Karla & Bhaja Caves · Maharashtra
The Ekvira Devi temple at Karla is unique—it is the only temple in India with a shrine dedicated to the sacred Shami tree, attracting thousands of devotees for Seemollanghan (leaf-exchange ritual) on Dussehra. This ancient tradition involves exchanging Shami leaves as a symbol of victory and prosperity.
September–October (Vijayadashami, 10th day of Shukla Paksha)
Statue of Unity · Gujarat
Sardar Patel birthday celebrated at the world's tallest statue (182m). Light shows, cultural programs.
October 31
Porbandar · Gujarat
Annual celebration of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary at Kirti Mandir, his ancestral home and birthplace in Porbandar. Official ceremonies include wreaths, speeches honoring Gandhi as the Father of the Nation, and cultural exhibitions of rare photographs, manuscripts, and memorabilia related to his life and work.
October 2
Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) · Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Special heritage walks through British ruins on the renamed island.
October 2
Gangotri · Uttarakhand
The temple closes for winter on Diwali day with grand celebrations; the deity is carried in a palanquin procession to Mukhba for the winter.
Late October / early November (Diwali)
Hanle · Ladakh
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.
October (new moon)
Champhai · Mizoram
An eco-tourism festival celebrating the blooming of the native cosmos flower (hnahsin) in Champhai. The festival transforms the region into a sea of pinks, purples, and whites, featuring flower exhibitions, paragliding, cultural performances, artisan markets, and traditional food stalls showcasing Mizo culture and handicrafts.
October
Hogenakkal Falls · Tamil Nadu
Local fair combining coracle races, oil massage demonstrations, fish cooking competitions, and folk performances. Small-scale but authentic celebration of Hogenakkal's unique culture.
October (weekend event)
Ramappa Temple · Telangana
Heritage celebration at the UNESCO site honoring Kakatiya dynasty. Cultural programs, classical dance, and historical reenactments.
October (2 days)
Kalpa · Himachal Pradesh
Celebrated a month after mainstream Dussehra with grape and apple wine offerings, Kinnauri Nati dances, and bonfires in Kalpa and Reckong Peo.
October (post-Dussehra)
Kishtwar · Jammu & Kashmir
Festival celebrating Kishtwar's high-altitude saffron harvest with field tours, saffron-infused cuisine, and cultural performances of the Kishtwari folk tradition.
October-November (harvest)
Manali · Himachal Pradesh
200+ village deities carried in palanquins. Unlike rest of India, Kullu Dussehra STARTS when everyone else's ends.
October (starts on Vijaya Dashami, lasts 7 days)
Kullu · Himachal Pradesh
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.
October (starts on Vijayadashami, runs 7 days)
Lansdowne · Uttarakhand
Garhwal Rifles regimental town hosts a cultural festival with military band performances, nature trails, and heritage walks through this quiet cantonment.
October (varies)
Jodhpur · Rajasthan
Folk music and dance celebrating Rajasthani heroes under Mehrangarh Fort in full moonlight.
October (2 days around Sharad Purnima)
Chittorgarh · Rajasthan
Festival celebrating the mystic poet-saint Meera Bai at her temple in Chittorgarh Fort, with bhajan recitals and devotional music by renowned artists.
October (Sharad Purnima)
Mysore · Karnataka
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.
September-October (10 days ending Vijayadashami)
Mysore · Karnataka
Massive trade fair and amusement ground at the Exhibition Grounds. Giant wheel, food stalls, handicrafts. Running since 1880.
September-October (runs 45 days)
Nainital · Uttarakhand
Week-long cultural extravaganza at Nainital's Flats ground with boat races on Naini Lake, flower shows, music performances, and heritage walks.
October-November (varies)
Karla & Bhaja Caves · Maharashtra
The major festival at the Ekvira Aai Devi temple at Karla Caves, celebrating the Goddess Durga. The Ekvira is the Kuladevi (clan deity) of the Koli fishing community and is also worshipped by the Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu community. The festival features chaturdashi baths (ritual bathing), folk songs, processions, and grand celebrations. Every year, Kolis pay respect to Ekvira and celebrate the festival with traditional rituals.
September–October (Shukla Paksha, Pratipada to Dashami; 9–10 days)
Kolhapur · Maharashtra
Mahalaxmi Temple Shakti Peetha sees special pujas and massive crowds during Navratri. Goddess adorned differently each night.
October (9 nights)
Vadodara · Gujarat
Gujarat is the global capital of Navratri Garba. Vadodara hosts the biggest events with 50,000+ dancers. United Way Garba is legendary.
October (9 nights)
Katra · Jammu & Kashmir
Massive pilgrimage surge at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine during the nine-day Navratri festival. The shrine area is decorated with vibrant floral arrangements and colorful lights. Special Maha Yagya ceremonies with Vedic hymns are performed. Attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees during both Chaitra Navratri (Mar-Apr) and Sharad Navratri (Sep-Oct).
Sharad Navratri (Sep-Oct, Ashvin month)
Bir Billing · Himachal Pradesh
International pilots compete in cross-country paragliding from Billing takeoff (2,400m).
October / November
Prayagraj · Uttar Pradesh
Traditional Rasa Leela performances depicting Krishna's divine dance, staged at ghats along the Yamuna during the autumn full moon.
October (Sharad Purnima)
Rajgir · Bihar
Classical dance festival at Rajgir's natural amphitheater surrounded by 5 hills. Performers from across India.
October (3 days)
Dakor · Gujarat
Celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna appears as Ranchodrai at Dakor temple. Elaborate processions with temple idols, cultural performances, and rituals commemorate the divine love of Radha and Krishna. Thousands of pilgrims gather for special celebrations.
October (Sharad Purnima full moon, typically mid-October)
Alampur · Telangana
Nine-day festival honoring Goddess Jogulamba with special pujas, rituals, and cultural programs. Features Kalyanotsavam (temple marriage ceremony), Chariot Festival (Ratha Yatra), Nadi Aarti, and Teppotsavam (boat ritual). One of the only Shakti Peeth temples in Telangana.
September–October (lunar calendar)
Pazhamudircholai · Tamil Nadu
Six-day festival at Arulmigu Solaimalai (Pazhamudircholai) Murugan Temple, one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Muruga. Celebrates Muruga's victory over evil forces with traditional religious observances.
October/November (6-day festival)
Tiruchendur · Tamil Nadu
Celebrated over six days at the seashore Murugan temple. Commemorates Lord Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadma. The climax on the sixth day (Sashti) features the Soorasamharam—a dramatic re-enactment of the celestial battle on the seashore, with Murugan's defeat of Surapadman's various manifestations. Tiruchendur is the canonical venue for this festival across Tamil Nadu, drawing hundreds of thousands on the final day.
October-November (6-day festival, Tamil month Aippasi)
Swamimalai · Tamil Nadu
Six-day festival commemorating Lord Murugan's victory over evil forces. Celebrated with grand rituals, Soorasamharam re-enactments, devotional music, fasting, and processions. The festival demonstrates Murugan's supreme power and his role as destroyer of evil.
October-November (6-day festival, Tamil month Aippasi)
Tiruttani · Tamil Nadu
Six-day festival celebrating Lord Murugan's victory over demon Surapadman. Observed with great fervor at Thiruthani with elaborate temple decorations, grand processions, rituals, and fasting. Draws large crowds throughout the six-day period.
October-November (6-day festival, Tamil month Aippasi)
Tirupati · Andhra Pradesh
Nine-day grand festival at Tirumala with deity processions on different vahanas (vehicles) each day. Attracts millions of devotees.
Early October (9 days)
Darjeeling · West Bengal
The Nepali version of Diwali celebrated over 5 days with Kukur Tihar (dog worship), Gai Tihar (cow worship), and Bhai Tika.
October–November
Shirdi · Maharashtra
Marks Sai Baba's Mahasamadhi (death) on October 15, 1918. Observed with puja, bhajan, parayana, and exuberant processions.
Vijayawada · Andhra Pradesh
One of India grandest Dussehra celebrations. Kanaka Durga Temple lit up spectacularly. Millions gather for 10-day Navaratri.
October (10 days)
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve · Maharashtra
Nature walks, film screenings, photography exhibitions, and educational safaris for children at Tadoba.
First week of October