Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is an Indian festival, signifying the victory of good over evil in Hindu mythology. It celebrates the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana, in the Ramayana: the tale of Lord Rama. This 10-day event features exquisite processions, performances, and cultural activities throughout India. Dasara 2025 will be even more spectacular. India celebrates this festival with unique names in the states and offers rich experiences to people who come across the country. When visiting India for this festival, plan to visit these 15 top Dussehra destinations with ChikuCab to experience Ravan Dahan events on a grand scale with your family during your cultural experiences.
Top 15 Dussehra Destinations To Visit In India
1. Kota Dussehra Mela, Rajasthan
Rajasthan is one of the best places to witness the extravagance of Dasara with its colorful and traditional festivals. The Kota Dussehra Mela is a massive fair that attracts Mela-goers from around the country to witness the Ravan Dahan. It consists of large effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnath being burned amidst the glory of fireworks and sounds. Beyond the amazing spectacle, there are decades of legacy and culture to behold. And the festival season and night travelling is the best time for Dussehra travel
Explore the mela grounds, take in folk music performances, purchase local crafts, and feast on Rajasthani specialties.
Things you can experience during Dussehra:
- Ravan Dahan Ceremony.
- Folk music and traditional dances, Rajasthani crafts.
- An unembellished experience of Rajasthani cultural heritage.
Why should you go? This option is for those looking for a more extravagant time celebrating Dasara—lots of colors, lots of lights, and lots of explosions.
2. Delhi Ramlila, Delhi
Delhi is famous for Ramlila performances and has some of the oldest and most elaborate performances in the country, with the most famous versions occurring at Red Fort and Ramlila Maidan. The performances portray Lord Rama and Hanuman battling the demon king Ravana and end with the first of multiple effigies ignited in commemoration of Ravana and the grand display of fireworks erupting in the sky. This is one of the best places to take in the grandeur and drama of Ramlila, especially if you have family. The visuals and rhythm of the story during the performance include music and other dramatic elements and provide an experience like no other.
Top most things to experience during Dussehra:
- Historical Ramlila performances.
- Ravan Dahan at Red Fort and Ramlila Maidan.
- Live music, performance, and food.
Reasons to visit: Great destination for those interested in experiencing a dramatic, historical Dasara celebration in the center of India’s capital.
3. Best Place for Dussehra with Family – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi is one of the most respected cities in India, and during Dasara, it is a place of spirituality. Celebrations in Varanasi include religious practices. And it is exhibited by the great religious processions that take place along the ghats of the Ganges. The temples of the city held rituals especially for this festival, adding to a sense of devotion within its precincts. Families can participate in the Ravan Dahan at Dashashwamedh Ghat and relish in picturesque cultural performances. A trip to celebrate Dasara is guaranteed to be full of experiences. Combining spirituality and festivity makes this city a great choice.
What can you do there?
- Ravan Dahan at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
- Ganga Aarti in the evening.
- Temples and cultural performances with traditional rituals.
Reasons to visit: Varanasi Dasara is a festive yet tranquil event, making it an ideal combination for families seeking to experience the spirituality of the festival and the celebration of Dussehra.
4. Beautiful and Thematic Durga Puja Pandals Kolkata
Kolkata, the heart of creativity and Durga Puja Pandals, celebrates Vijayadashami in a vast way by invoking the divine powers as Durga Puja, inviting goddess Durga into homes as a daughter. Every pandal represents artistic beauty, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Travelers can take in these elaborate pandals, appreciate the elegance, and enjoy the festive processions. The immersions of the Durga idols into the river are striking, and the entire city sparkles with decorations, street performances, and food stalls. There is really nothing quite like it, and this encounter brings tourists together with culture, art, and devotion.
Some Wonderful Things to Experience:
- You can visit Durga Puja pandals Kolkata to experience the vastness of thematic designs and culture.
- You can enjoy traditional rituals such as Kumartuli.
- You can even take part in the Sindoor Khela.
Why visit: A perfect visit for culture and art lovers and for those who want to see Vijayadashami from a new angle through Durga Puja.
5. South India: Experience the Dussehra Cultural Tours
South India has a rich cultural heritage, which you surely don’t want to miss. This charming part of India offers a completely different flavor of Indian history, especially in mythology and the beautiful stories of Ramayana and Dussehra. In cities like Mysore, Madurai, and Coimbatore, Vijayadashami is celebrated with royal processions, music, dancing, and around-temple rituals. To many visitors, the Mysore Dasara is the biggest event, featuring a large procession with elephants, horses, and ornate floats. The Dasara Festival is a way of celebrating triumph through cultural programs acknowledged through classical music and dance. If you are looking for a cultural journey, it is just the place for Dussehra cultural tours South India.
Places You Can Visit for Experiences:
- Experience royal processions in Mysore Palace
- Kullu Dussehra, with temples and local customs.
- Classical music and Bharatanatyam dance performances.
Why visit? For those travelers who would like a traditional, cultural experience during Vijayadashami, with temple rituals and classical performances.
6. Dussehra Road Trip Routes with Family or Friends from Rajasthan to Gujarat
If you are someone who likes to travel a lot or maybe an adventurer, you are surely going to like the Dussehra road trip routes from Rajasthan to Gujarat. And it can be an ideal way to experience Dasara in both cities. However, you can experience Kota Dussehra Mela in Rajasthan and take part in the Garba nights Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The road trip from Kota to Gujarat is full of the picturesque, with opportunities to explore cultural fairs, heritage sites, and ancient temples along the way. The combination of Dasara festivities, from the Ramlila performances in Rajasthan to the melodious, emotive Garba festivities in Gujarat, offers a rich tapestry of cultural experiences.
Key places and events to experience:
- The road trip from Kota (Rajasthan) to Ahmedabad (Gujarat).
- Garba nights in Ahmedabad.
- You can experience cultural markets and historical sites on the way.
Why visit? Ideal for those looking for an exploratory adventure and a combination of traditional Dussehra celebrations across states.
7. Family Trips for Dussehra 2025 – Mysore, Karnataka
Mysore’s Dussehra festival is known around the world for its breathtaking scenery. The Dasara event in Mysore has a royal touch, as the Mysore Palace is decorated with over 100,000 light bulbs. The royal procession with the decorated elephants and royal carriages, followed by the final day’s torchlight parade, is an enthralling event. The whole city vibrates with rich cultural performances, and the great history of this city adds local appeal to a family trip.
Top things to experience during Dussehra:
- Royal procession through the streets of Mysore
- Visit to the Mysore Palace and Jaganmohan Palace
- Traditional cultural performances, including music and dance
Why should families visit? A family trip that includes royalty, culture, and traditional celebrations is a welcome experience for those interested in Dussehra festivities.
8. Garba Nights in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
If you want energetic rhythms and a lot of dancing, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is the place to be during Dasara week. A city full of Garba Nights, this is traditional folk dancing in circular formations. The dance is accompanied by rhythmic music and upbeat drumming, and the streets of Ahmedabad are packed with people, including children and families dressed in ornate, bright-colored, traditional clothing. The Navratri festival is celebrated with a quiet revival in the days preceding Dasara, and it is a great time to witness people’s joyful celebration.
Things you can experience:
- Participate in the local tradition of Ramlila.
- View outdoor Ramlila performances.
- Walk through nature and the surrounding hills.
Why go? Almora is the ideal getaway destination if you want to enjoy a peaceful Dasara surrounded by the quiet natural beauty and mountains of Kumaon while still attending traditional cultural performances.
10. Offbeat Dussehra Destinations – Alibaug, Maharashtra
Road-tripping to Alibaug with your family or friends during Dussehra is a great option. Bollywood exists here, so go online and look up any of the Dasara celebrations with big Bollywood names. Aside from Bollywood glamour, you can spend your time at the beach or a local cafe, enjoying good views.
Top things you can experience:
- Relax at beautiful beaches.
- Party at a beach bar or visit local cafes.
- Bollywood connections
Why go? Alibaug is a great option for any escape to a beach destination, and of course, Dussehra is an exciting holiday.
10. Vijayadashami 2025 in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
The Kullu Dussehra festival is the biggest and most exciting Dussehra festival in the state of Himachal Pradesh and brings together thousands of devotees and tourists. Held on Dhalpur Maidan in Kullu, the Kullu Dasara festival offers the spectacle of traditional rituals, a procession of gods, and the Ravan Dahan. Kullu is unique in its blending of traditional Himachali rituals and festivities to celebrate Dussehra. The beauty of the Himalayas, with their snow-capped mountains in the background, only adds to the beauty of the event.
Key places you can visit for unforgettable moments:
- Procession of local deities during Kullu Dussehra.
- Traditional Himachali dances and rituals.
- Temples with the backdrop of the Himalayan views.
If you are thinking, Why should you visit? Well, let us inform you that to experience divinity and power, experience cultural and spiritual festivals such as Dussehra.
11. Top Dussehra Destinations—Rishikesh and Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Rishikesh and Haridwar are both perfect spiritual Dussehra festival destinations, located on the banks of the Ganges. Aarti, as part of the Dussehra rituals in Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar and Ravan Dahan in the towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar, adds a spiritual dimension to Dussehra. If you are visiting Rishikesh and Haridwar, visit temples and experience the peaceful presence of the Ganges, observe aarti, and observe spiritual offerings that draw pilgrims from around the world.
What you need to experience when you are in Rishikesh and Haridwar:
- A soulful spiritual Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri
- Ravan Dahan in Haridwar after attending the Ramlila
- Experience yoga and spiritual retreats
Reason for visit? A great place to spiritually discover the rich traditions fused with the Dasara festival.
12. Jodhpur, Rajasthan: One of the Best Sustainable Dussehra Destinations
Jodhpur offers a sustainable Dussehra experience that combines traditions with eco-conscious practices. If you want to experience making Ravan effigies out of biodegradable materials, visit Jodhpur Dussehra Mela and celebrate the rituals. Jodhpur, the city’s heritage, also offers you beautiful tourist places to explore, food, and colorful culture.
Topmost places and events you can experience:
- Multi-city visit to Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace
- Eco-friendly Ravan Dahan festivities
- Local shopping for handcrafted items
Reason for visit—Great for eco-conscious travelers wanting a responsible but cultural Dussehra experience
13. Cultural Dussehra Experience at Puri, Odisha
In Puri, Odisha, Dussehra is celebrated with huge offerings, many rituals, and festivals dedicated to Goddess Durga. At the Jagannath Temple, you can experience how prayers are offered before Ramlila, and then Ravan Dahan is performed. Puri is a divine place where festivals are celebrated with huge crowds,with street processions and Odissi dance performances, while performing all the rituals at a grand level.
Things to experience in Puri:
- Jagannath Temple Puja, its ceremonies and celebrations
- Odissi dance performance, events, and street procession
- Serenity of Chilika Lake or Puri Beach
Why visit? For those wanting to observe the merging of spirituality along with the culture and the coastal influence during Dussehra, Odisha offers a great travel experience.
14. Rava Dahan Festival in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Gwalior has one of the tallest Ravan effigies that will be burnt to honor Dussehra. Rava Dahan in Gwalior is an event that consists of a number of fun activities such as live music, street performances, and fireworks, which creates a family-friendly atmosphere. While in Gwalior, you will also have time to visit and enjoy the nearby historical site of Gwalior Fort.
Top experiences you can enjoy include:
- The burning of Rava Dahan effigies that are 30-35 feet tall.
- Historical sites such as Gwalior Fort and Saas Bahu Temple.
- Take in culture and try local food.
Why visit? For those who want to see one of India’s tallest Ravan effigies and enjoy a festive ambiance with family, Gwalior should be at the top of your list. Gwalior is the best festive getaways in India, which you must include in your list.
15. Experience the Best Dussehra Travel in Kerala
The calm and serene sea, as well as the backwaters, provides the perfect environment for observing a calming Dussehra celebration. There are temples for celebrating Dussehra with unique celebrations. Here you can also experience a slow-paced lifestyle for an enriching spiritual experience. Travelers can also enjoy great Kerala Kathakali performances and hopefully visit the backwaters.
Key Activities You Can Experience:
- Kathakali dance.
- Visit to Varkala and Alleppey for backwater trips.
- Temples observing Dussehra, such as Sree Padmanabhaswamy.
Why do you need to visit Kerala? You can travel to Kerala to experience peace and spirituality during Dussehra in the serenity of nature’s beauty in Kerala.
Conclusion
Dussehra in 2025 is a wonderful opportunity you can experience during this Dussehra, where you can immerse yourself in the rich, vibrant, and colorful culture of Kerala.
Apart from that, you can even visit the capital of India to experience Ramlila performances in Delhi, or if you want to celebrate an eco-friendly Dussehra, visit Jodhpur for plentiful experiences. Meanwhile, if you are planning to visit with your family, then Dussehra is a wonderful time for a spiritual getaway or an adventurous road trip to these places.
So, if you wish to enjoy cultural experiences during Dussehra and the essence of Vijayadashami 2025, book your trip with ChikuCab today and begin your journey to celebrate Dussehra.
I’m a wanderer who loves venturing on to unknown and unseen places. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wonder around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.
