Top 10 Places To Visit In India During Durga Puja in 2024

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India is a beautiful country with versatile traditions and beliefs, and it is a country of numerous festivals and religious celebrations. One of the most auspicious festivals celebrated in India is Durga Puja or Navratri.

Durga Puja is a religious festival of the goddess Durga celebrated annually in India, primarily in September or October. This year, the festival is celebrated from October 1 to October 5. Durga Puja is the most important festival of the Hindu lunar calendar and is celebrated to commemorate the battle of good versus evil.

10 Best Places to Visit during Durga Puja in 2024

1. Kolkata, West Bengal
2. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
3. Mumbai, Maharashtra
4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
5. Delhi
6. Guwahati, Assam
7. Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
8. Pune, Maharashtra
9. South India
10. Hyderabad, Telangana

1. Kolkata, West Bengal

Durga Puja is the most widely celebrated in Kolkata. The city is decorated like a bride, and everyone awaits the homecoming of the Goddess Durga.

It is a common belief amongst the locals that Goddess Durga came back to them as a married woman for nine days to her paternal home. Several pandals are created with bamboo sticks and are adorned with beautiful embellishments. In the pandals, you can find a massive statue of the Goddess Durga. You can also enjoy many famous delicacies served to Maa as Bhog.

Below is a list of 5 places to visit during Durga Puja in Kolkata.

1. Sovabazar Raja Barir Puja
2. Rani Rashmoni Durga Puja
3. Harinath Mookerjee Family Durga Puja
4. Bholanath Mallick Barir Puja
5. Chota Babu Latu Babu Family’s Durga Puja

2. Ahmedabad, Gujarat

This celebration is held in honor of Lord Ram, the destroyer of the villain Raavan. You may see fireworks all night long. Many stages are set up where dramas, dances, and songs are performed to commemorate the life of Ram, Sita’s struggle, and Ram’s victory. The traditional dance of Dandiya and Garba is performed throughout the festival. People of different cultures participate in the festival. The Sabarmati Ashram outside the city is a must-visit at this time. At the end of the evening, a hay Raavan is constructed and then incinerated. As Ram lights the hay structure, people watch the demon’s final demise in a divine trance.

If you are planning to celebrate Durga Pooja in Ahmedabad? Here is a list of 5 places To Visit In Durga Puja.

1. Garba, GMDC Ground
2. Mirchi Rock & Dhol
3. YMCA Club
4. CEPT University
5. Rajpath Club

3. Mumbai, Maharashtra

Mumbai is the city of lights, known for its festive spirit. When it comes to festivals, it is no different. One of the most significant festivals celebrated in Mumbai is Durga Puja, which is celebrated on the 9th day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. The festival is an intense and grand affair, and it is one of the best Places To Visit During Durga Puja.

Durga Puja is celebrated in its true essence in the city of Mumbai. It is a fun-filled celebration with a lot to offer. The festivities start on the first day of the month and continue to the 9th day. On the first day, you can witness the immersion of the idols of Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya in the sea of Ganga. The immersion is done in a grand manner and in a festive mood.

The idols are then washed with Ganga’s holy waters and taken home every evening. The pandals are decorated beautifully, where you can witness celebrities visiting the deity of Goddess Durga and offering lavishing delicacies to the idols.

4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

The part of India celebrates the festival as a victory of good over evil. You may find children dolled up as Lord Ram, Lakshman, Sita, and Hanuman. Various drama sessions are conducted, popularly known as Ramleela. Towards the end of the evening, a hay Raavan structure is burnt, which portrays the message “Good wins over Evil.” A massive fair is arranged with Pandals offering various delicious food and sweets. 

5. Delhi

Delhi celebrates the Durga Puja festival as Lord Ram’s victory. Various dramas are performed about the triumph of Lord Ram. Small children as dressed up as religious characters during the time of celebration. At the end of the festival, a vast Raavana structure is burnt as a belief in destruction over sinful.

One of the best places to visit during Puja vacation in Delhi is Ramleela Maidan, where a massive structure of Raavana is burnt following a grandeur dance and dramas explaining the story of Ramayan. There are a lot of spectacular puja pandals made where people worship the idols of Goddess Durga. It offers a variety of food stalls and exhibitions in the city.

Here are 5 best places to visit during Durga Puja if you are planning to celebrate in Delhi-

1. CR Park
2. Durgotsav GK 2
3. Matri Mandir, Safdurganj Enclave
4. Minto Road, Rajiv Chowk
5. Kashmiri Gate

6. Guwahati, Assam

In Guwahati, the celebration begins on the day of the new moon and lasts for ten days. During this time, the idol of Durga is worshipped. The city is decorated with Pandals and huge fairs and exhibitions, which takes it to the next level. If you are planning to visit Assam during the celebration, then Latasil Durga Puja is recommended! It is one of the oldest pandals in town, with gigantic idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Durga.

Here are the 3 best places to visit during puja vacation in Guwahati

1. Bahubali Mahishmati Durga Puja Pandal
2. Bharat Mata, Bishnupur
3. Krishna Mandir, Latasil

7. Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

In Kullu, Durga Puja is celebrated as Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana. It is one of the biggest festivals of Kullu. Festivals in this part of Himachal are celebrated for a long time. One of the best places to visit in Durga Puja in Kullu is The Dhalpir Maidan. It is trendy amongst the locals for its festivities. Numerous deities are displayed and paraded before the deity RaghunathJi. The majestic mashaals are flickered by Dhauladars on this day.

8. Pune, Maharashtra

Durga Pooja is the most important cultural and religious festival in the Hindu religion. In Pune, several traditions are followed during the festival. It is followed by a grand procession that is accompanied by fireworks. People make Durga sculptures and decorate them with flowers, leaves, and fruits. 

There are a lot of Durga Puja Pandals all over the city, but the best place to visit during puja vacation in Pune is Congress Bhavan Durga Puja. It is one of the oldest Durga Puja pandals in the city.

9. South India

In South India, Durga Puja is celebrated differently. It is a secular festival- a celebration of education and knowledge, popularly known as Vidya Aarambham, which means the beginning of education. A famous ritual in South India is Pooja vaipuu, where books and day-to-day tools are displayed in front of Goddess Saraswati, and people offer roasted paddy and jaggery as bhog

You may not witness many pandals in South India, but you may see a cascading collection of dolls on the stairs. These dolls are miniature idols of mythological characters like Goddess Saraswati, Durga, and Laxmi.

10. Hyderabad, Telangana

Cyberabad Bengali Association initiated Durga Puja in Hyderabad in the year 2007. Soon after, Hyderabadis celebrate Durga Puja with immense joy. The city is beautifully decorated with pandals and many food fests and exhibitions. Here are the 5 best places to visit during the Durga Puja vacation in Hyderabad.

1. Utsab cultural associations
2. Nabarun Sangha
3. Balanagar
4. Attapur Bengali Association
5. Oikotan Hyderabad

Conclusion

Durga Puja is the most important religious festival in the calendar of India. Millions of people all over India celebrate it in grand style. Make a trip to these cities this Durga Puja and make your adventure into the biggest, brightest, and most colorful festival in India. For travel bookings all you need is the best tour packages in India from SOTC and you’re all set to explore the mystic land called India.