October & November are the two months that give us the advantage to plan a festive long weekend to the places in India where festivals like Dussehra & Diwali are celebrated with utmost pomp & gaiety. It is the auspicious time when we all get a break from meeting the tight deadlines in our corporate world. So, if you wish to turn up your mundane life schedule into a festive weekend with your family & close friends, join us in this blog as we list down the names of the places in India to witness how the divine festivities are celebrated.
With the help of a festive long weekend offer, you can experience visiting these places where you will be witnessing the style of celebrating the festive seasons, be it Navratri, Dussehra or Diwali. Becoming a part of these festivals at these places will bring you the utmost joy & knowledge about the culture of that particular city or state in India.
Places To Spend Your Festive Long Weekend For a Memorable Experience
Celebrate Durga Puja in Kolkata
Durga Puja is a grand festival celebrated in Kolkata where people soak themselves in devotion to goddess Durga. This festival is encapsulated with music, dance, & culinary delights, bringing excitement to the people of Kolkata. The city’s streets are enlightened with meticulously decorated pandals with statues of goddess Durga & other deities, including Ganesh, Karthikeya, Saraswati, & Laxmi. The goddess is shown killing the demon Maheshasura with her trident.
A Brief History Behind Durga Puja Festival
The festival of Durga Puja in Kolkata marks the victory of good over evil. It is also called Vijay Dashami, when goddess Durga killed the evil buffalo king Maheshasura. Dussehra marks the pinnacle of Durga Puja. On the day of Vijay Dashami, the idols of goddess Durga & her sons Ganesha & Karthikeya are immersed in the Hooghly River amidst divine processions. This festival is very special for married women who participate with complete devotion, performing rituals by offering vermillion & sweets to the goddess, & then smearing each other foreheads with the vermillion.
Key attractions In Durga Puja
- Participating in Kola Bou Bath
- Visiting Pandals
- Attending the traditional Bonedi Bari Puja
- Watching Kumari Puja
- Performing Dhunuchi folk dance in front of goddess Durga
- Feasting on culinary delights
- Taking part in immersion of idols of goddess Durga at Hooghly River
Experiencing The Grandeur Of Kullu Dussehra
Visiting Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is also ideal for travellers seeking Dussehra Long Weekend Offer with their loved ones. Here, you can become a part of the celebration of Kullu Dussehra, the least-known festive gem in India, but it stands for its unique way of celebrating among the locals here. In contrast to other regions, where the Dussehra festival concludes after ten days, in Kullu, it goes up for extended time. Also known as International Mega Dussehra, this week-long carnival marks the victory of Lord Rama over the arrogant ten-headed Lanka king Ravana. Confirm your best stay near Kullu to witness this grandeur Dussehra festival with your loved ones.
A Brief History of Kullu Dussehra Festival
The history of Kullu Dussehra dates back to the 17th century when Raja Jagat Singh ruled Kullu from 1637 to 1672. According to a legend, the king received information about the poor Brahmin in Tipri village having a bowl of pearls. He ordered his men to fetch those pearls from him. The poor Brahmin faced extreme brutality at the hands of the king’s men. Unable to bear their atrocities, he and his family died after setting the house on fire. To pay for his sin, the king renounced his crown, & instead put the idol of Lord Rama on the empty throne. He took a pledge that from now on, only the lord & his successors would become the rulers of Kullu.
Key Attractions in Kullu Dussehra Festival
- Visiting Dussehra grounds & watching the palanquins or rath yatra carried by devotees on foot
- Feel the mystical energy controlling while you become part of godly dance
- Observing unusual festival rituals
- Standing amongst the royal family of Kullu
- Experience Pahari culture of Kullu
- Shopping for Kullu caps & shawls
Witness The Splendour of Royal Dussehra Festival in Mysore
Dussehra is a festival celebrated with great devotion by people in every nook & corner of India. It marks the victory of good over evil. Mysore is one of the best tourist places in Karnataka that celebrates this festival in its own unique royal style. It is called Mysore Dasara or Nadahabba. This grand festival commemorates the victory of the goddess Chamundeshwari over the demon king Mahishasura. The preparation for this 10-day celebration commences on the first day of Navratri & culminates in a gleaming display on the 10th day.
A Brief History of Mysore Dasara Festival
Going by folklore legends, Mysore was named after the demon king Mahisasura, who was killed by goddess Durga, also known as Chamundeshwari, as she resides in Chamundi Hill in Karnataka. The Mysore Dasara festival was started in 1610 by Raja Wadiyar 1. Since then, it has been celebrated every year with great enthusiasm & devotion.
Key Attractions in Mysore Dasara Festival
- Watching the Jumbo Savari, a procession led by a fleet of elephants adorned with decorations
- Visiting the royal palace that is decked up with 100,000 bulbs
- Feasting local delicacies, including Appi Payasa, Shavige Payasa, Kattina Saaru, Huli Thovve, Mysore Pak, & Pakadagina Chiroti.
- Exploring exhibitions, shopping stalls, food stalls & adventure activities. Some exciting activities to cheer up the audience include cycling, wrestling, pet shows, & film festivals.
- Attending Bombe Habba, an old tradition in Mysore, representing displays of dolls that highlight the Dussehra festival.
Top 10 Places To Celebrate Diwali in Festive Long Weekend
Diwali is a festival of lights celebrated with great grandeur in India. According to mythology, it commemorates the return of Lord Rama with his consort Sita & his younger brother Laxman. This day, people decorate their houses with lighted lamps. After that, people exchange gifts & sweets with their neighbours to express brotherhood. You should avail the festive long weekend in india offer & visit the places to witness the zeal of the Diwali celebration. Now let us bring the list of places in India where Diwali is celebrated with zeal & zest.
1. Ayodhya
When listing the places where the festival of light is celebrated with great enthusiasm, Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, deserves to be on the top list. It is where the first Diwali was celebrated after people welcomed Rama, Sita, & Laxman from their crucial 14 years of exile. The excitement & joy you will see on the people’s faces is worth noticing. People come from different parts of UP to light lamps on the banks of the Sarayu River.
2. Varanasi
Varanasi, also called Banaras, is also one of the famous holy places for Hindus to celebrate Diwali. It is that sacred destination where the river Ganga immerses into the ocean. Visiting this place during the festival of lights will give you an incredible experience when the city is sparkled with lights & fireworks throughout the whole night.
3. Jaipur
Jaipur is one of the best tourist places to visit in Rajasthan to experience the grand celebration of Diwali, where every palace, building, fort, house, shop, & street is illuminated with lighting lamps. Overall, the Pink City is all its best when celebrating the festival of lights, leaving no stone unturned in bringing brightness to all corners.
4. Amritsar
When it comes to celebrating Diwali, it is not a festival for only Hindus but also Sikhs. In Amritsar, Diwali is celebrated with great zeal, with sparkling colourful crackers in the sky. The festival coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, which marks the return of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth guru, from prison in 1619. He was held captive unjustly with other prisoners for his political beliefs.
5. Udaipur
Udaipur is one of the popular cities in Rajasthan, where the people celebrate Diwali with much zeal. During this festive season, every rooftop & doorstep is illuminated with lights. Seeing the reflection of floating lamps & fireworks on Lake Pichola feels exciting. Devotees during this time visit the Mahalaxmi Temple in Bhatiyani Chauhatta to get the blessings of the Goddess of Wealth. Book for the best place to stay in Udaipur to enjoy this festival.
6. Goa
When it comes to festive celebrations, then Goa is not limited to merely a party capital for a thrilling nightlife or enjoying beaches. The coastal state is filled with energy when celebrating Diwali with great excitement. Here, this festival of light is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. Like the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna, & Meghnad you see in Delhi or other states, scary effigies are erected in Goa. These are burned a day before the Diwali festival celebration. To witness the festival of light, you should visit the places in Goa for a memorable weekend.
7. Delhi
The capital city of India is famous for its Diwali celebration with great pomp & show. There are the best places to stay in Delhi to witness the grand celebration of the festival of lights. During this festive season, houses & shops are illuminated with lights & diyas. On this day, people not only mark the return of Lord Rama with his consort Sita, & brother Laxman but also conduct Laxmi Ganesh puja for the well-being of family members.
8. Madurai
In Madurai, Meenakshi Temple is one of the prominent places where Diwali is celebrated with great zeal. During this festive season, the temple is lit up with lights, & beautiful rangolis that are made with coloured rice & flower petals. During Diwali, markets are thronged with people to buy gifts for their loved ones. Vengala Kadai Street & South Masi Street are two popular market areas where you can shop for handicrafts, colourful fabrics, & traditional apparel.
9. Kovalam
Kovalam, famously known as the Jewel of the South, is the best place to visit in Kerala to witness the celebration of Diwali at Kovalam beach, where many tourists visit here to lit diyas on its sandy shores. Firecrackers do make an added excitement in making the festival of light more thrilling.
10. Mumbai
Mumbai is one of the best places to visit in Maharashtra. Like other cities in India, where Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm, this metropolitan city is also famous for celebrating the festival of lights with grandeur. Following the eco-friendly approach, there are places in Mumbai where you can notice the city streets decked with lights.
Conclusion
If you wish to experience a upcoming long weekend in India, there are many places in India where you can witness the celebrations in different styles. When planning for a weekend holiday with family & friends to celebrate festivals, jüSTa Hotels & Resorts gives you a golden opportunity to stay at its best hotels & resorts in various states of India. The hospitality services at these hotels are flawless, leaving no stone unturned in satiating all the needs of its guests with all the facilities they expect.
