When you think of Navratri, chances are Gujarat immediately comes to mind—after all, the state has practically trademarked Garba with its high-energy nights of music, colour, and community. But India is far too vast and culturally layered for Navratri to belong to just one region. Across the country, the nine nights of devotion, dance, and drama take on distinct hues, from Bengal’s artistic grandeur to Karnataka’s regal splendour, from the Bollywood-glam Garba in Mumbai to the spiritual resonance of the ghats in Varanasi. For travellers, this means Navratri isn’t just one festival, but many festivals stitched together by a common thread of devotion to the divine feminine. If you’re ready to look beyond Gujarat this Navratri, these are the cities that bring their own magic to the celebration, each one promising memories as vibrant as the season itself.
In Kolkata, Navratri is synonymous with Durga Puja, and the city transforms into a living, breathing art gallery. Towering pandals rise across neighbourhoods, some styled after palaces, others after global landmarks or abstract artistic visions. Inside them, you’ll find magnificent idols of Goddess Durga crafted in Kumartuli, the city’s traditional potters’ quarter. The real thrill, though, is in pandal-hopping late into the night. Families and groups of friends pour into the streets, dressed in festive finery, moving from one pandal to another, fuelled by street food, laughter, and the occasional cultural performance.
The celebrations culminate with Sindoor Khela on Vijayadashami, when married women smear each other with vermilion in a ritual that is equal parts joyous and poignant. If you want the most immersive experience, skip the big-ticket pandals once and slip into a neighbourhood lane, where the bhog smells of khichuri and labra, and the celebrations feel achingly intimate.
If Kolkata paints Navratri in shades of devotion and artistry, Mumbai bedazzles it with sequins, lights, and glamour. The city’s dandiya and garba nights are the stuff of legend, think celebrity appearances, live singers, high-voltage DJs, and venues that attract thousands each evening. Goregaon, Malad, and Andheri are among the hotspots where Navratri becomes a citywide dance floor, with people from every walk of life showing up in their most dazzling attire.
But beyond the glitz, Mumbai also hosts intimate, community-based events where tradition takes centre stage. It’s this duality, Gujarati folk beats rubbing shoulders with Bollywood remixes—that makes Mumbai’s Navratri so unique. For travellers, it’s an opportunity to experience both ends of the spectrum: the raw joy of dancing in concentric circles, and the city’s insatiable appetite for spectacle.
For those seeking a Navratri experience steeped in spirituality, Varanasi offers something unforgettable. The city dresses itself in lights, temples hum with chants, and streets fill with dramatic enactments of the Ram Lila. Every evening, the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat becomes even more striking during these nine days, as oil lamps, conches, and devotional songs turn the riverfront into a surreal tableau of faith.
Here, Navratri is not about dance or spectacle but about devotion woven into daily life. Watching the Ram Lila unfold across neighbourhoods feels like stepping into a living epic. For the traveller, this is an experience where time slows down—the rituals, the chanting, the flicker of lamps on water—reminding you that festivals, at their heart, are about faith as much as festivity.
Navratri in Mysuru doesn’t just end with Dussehra; it builds towards it in a crescendo of regal grandeur. The Mysore Palace becomes the epicentre, glowing under nearly 100,000 lights that turn its Indo-Saracenic architecture into a shimmering vision. The highlight is the grand procession on Vijayadashami: decorated elephants, horse-drawn carriages, musicians, and dancers winding their way through the city in a spectacle that feels straight out of history books.
Mysuru Dasara also has its quieter charms—classical music and dance performances, craft exhibitions, and the buzz of a city that embraces tradition with pride. To truly take it in, arrive at the palace by dusk. The moment the lights blaze on, casting a golden glow across the crowd, you’ll understand why Mysuru’s Navratri is one of India’s most iconic festivals.
In the capital, Navratri unfolds in multiple shades. The city’s historic Ramlila Maidan and the Red Fort grounds host grand Ram Lila dramatizations, complete with elaborate sets, actors in ornate costumes, and audiences that number in the thousands. It’s theatre on a civic scale, where the Ramayana is brought to life night after night.
Yet Delhi is also about festive markets. Chandni Chowk and Lajpat Nagar overflow with shoppers hunting for sarees, jewellery, and mithai. In neighbourhoods like Chittaranjan Park, Durga Puja adds another dimension to the city’s festive spirit—Bengali-style pandals buzzing with cultural programmes and the irresistible scent of bhog. For the traveller, Delhi’s Navratri is a buffet of experiences: devotional, theatrical, and culinary.
Far from the plains, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh offers a Navratri experience framed by mountains and rivers. Unlike the rest of India, where Dussehra marks the end of celebrations, Kullu’s festivities begin on Vijayadashami and continue for a week. The highlight is the assembly of more than 200 local deities, brought down in processions from surrounding villages, converging at Dhalpur Maidan.
The spectacle is both deeply spiritual and visually arresting: idols carried on palanquins, accompanied by music, dance, and the chants of devotees against a Himalayan backdrop. It’s raw, elemental, and unlike any other Navratri you’ll encounter. For travellers who crave authenticity and natural beauty, Kullu’s Dussehra is an unforgettable window into mountain traditions.
If Gujarat is the official home of Garba, Indore feels like its soulful cousin. Here, community grounds, campuses, and neighbourhoods come alive with dance circles that feel both authentic and welcoming. The city’s celebrations balance tradition with youthful energy. Live folk music mingles with food stalls and choreographed performances, making it one of the most inclusive places to join the festivities.
For a traveller, Indore’s charm lies in its warmth. You don’t need to know anyone—you can simply show up at a Garba ground, and before long, you’ll find yourself swept into the rhythm, twirling alongside strangers who feel like friends. It’s Navratri in its most unpretentious and joyful form.
From the royal grandeur of Mysuru to the artistic explosion of Kolkata, from Mumbai’s Bollywood-styled Garba to the Himalayan devotion of Kullu, Navratri across India is a kaleidoscope of traditions. Each city offers something different: a chance to dance, to worship, to watch, or simply to belong. This year, look beyond Gujarat, and let Navratri be your excuse to travel through India’s cultural heartlands. Because sometimes, the best journeys are the ones that follow the rhythm of a drum, the glow of a lamp, and the collective heartbeat of celebration.
1. When is Navratri celebrated?
September–October, with the final days (Vijayadashami) being the most vibrant.
2. How do I get around during festivities?
Use metro, taxis, or rickshaws in cities; walking works best in smaller towns like Kullu or Mysuru.
3. What should I pack?
Colourful ethnic wear, comfy shoes, light jacket, power bank, water, and snacks.
4. Are these events family-friendly?
Yes. Most cities host cultural programmes and markets suitable for all ages.
5. Can tourists join the celebrations?
Absolutely! Dance, explore pandals, and enjoy processions, just respect local customs.