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FESTIVALS · HIMACHAL PRADESH · OCTOBER

Himachal Pradesh festivals in October.

6 festivals this month — dates, locations, and travel tips.

Bhimakali Dussehra

Sarahan

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)

Chamba Dussehra

Chamba

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)

Kinnaur Dussehra (Fulaich)

Kalpa

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)

Kullu Dussehra

Manali

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 Dussehra

Kullu

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)

Paragliding World Cup

Bir Billing

International pilots compete in cross-country paragliding from Billing takeoff (2,400m).

October / November

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