Dussehra also known as ‘Vijayadashami’ is a very important Indian festival. It is celebrated with immense enthusiasm as the victory of Lord Ram over the demon Ravana. The festival is celebrated every year across the country either at the end of the month of September or in early October. The Hindu Lunar Calendar is used to decide the exact date of Dussehra. 

Additionally, this festival is also celebrated as a triumph of the Hindu Goddess 'Maa Durga’ over ‘Mahishasura’. Furthermore, the festival is observed after the nine-days puja of Goddess Durga also known as ‘Navratri’. This is brought to a mesmerizing end on the tenth day which is celebrated as Dussehra. 

Moreover, every state of India celebrates this festival in its own style, however, the theme remains the same i.e “victory of good over bad”. This is why we have come up with a list of the 10 best places to celebrate Dussehra in India. Take a look:

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi is an incredible city that is full of spirituality, tourism, entertainment, and cultural activities. Dussehra in Varanasi is celebrated in its unique way every year. Ramleela events in almost every corner of Varanasi will keep you entertained. They bring 200-year-old culture onto the stage very beautifully. Additionally, on the day of Dussehra, the entire city is lit up with bright colors and jaw-dropping decorations. Moreover, the celebration also includes mesmerizing aarti on the Ghats and a holy dip in the river Ganga. 

Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Ahmedabad has always been the most fun place to visit in India during Dussehra. The vast culture of Gujarat and the people who celebrate every festival with great enthusiasm is very appreciative. The colorful Chaniya-Choli, Kediyus, Kafni Pajamas and the Garba dance with great energy just add more fun to the entire festival. Along with that, the Gujarati people also perform aarti in temples to honor Hindu Goddess Maa Durga.

Kolkata, West Bengal 
In Kolkata, Vijayadashami is celebrated in a totally different style. As it marks the final day of Durga Puja, married women here offer sweets and vermicelli to the Hindu Goddess 'Maa Durga '. This ritual is very popular here. Along with that, the bhog, pandals andDhunuchi dance make this festival an unforgettable experience. Moreover, the visits to the temples and mansions like Rani Rashmoni Bari during the auspicious day of Dussehra will connect you with the wonderful tradition and culture of Kolkata. 

Mysore, Karnataka
If you want to see the most beautiful side of Dussehra then you should not miss the Dussehra celebration in Mysore. In Mysore, people call it Dasara and celebrate the festival with great excitement and dedication to commemorate the victory of good over evil. The celebration here includes cultural performances, Ramlila, athletic competitions, and military parades. Additionally, the entire place is decorated and looks impeccable at night. Local shopping, food, and fun rides will keep your energy level high throughout the entire festival. 

Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Apart from being one of the most beautiful hill stations in Himachal Pradesh, Kullu is also one of the best places to celebrate Dussehra in India. The celebration in Kullu consists of many dances and cultural performances that demonstrate various traditions of Himachal Pradesh. Among all the performances, one can not miss the performance of Lankadahan on the bank of the river Beas. The state government has also given the celebration of Dussehra in Kullu the status of an International festival.

Hyderabad, Telangana
Hyderabad is the city of Nawabs. Here, the Dussehra celebration is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Gauri known as ‘Bathukamma’. Lord Ganesha is also worshiped by the devotees. In addition to this, watching women dance around the temples during festivals is very fascinating. Furthermore, the entire city and especially, the temples are decorated beautifully to catch everyone’s eye. The firecrackers are like a cherry on the cake. 

Punjab
Punjabis are never low in energy be it any function or festival. Therefore, if you are in search of something out-of-the-box this Dussehra, Punjab is the perfect place for you. Punjabi people celebrate Dussehra to honor Hindu Goddess ‘Shakti’. After the seven days of Navratri, they perform Jagrata to put devotees in a good mood and organize Bhandara. Moreover, Dussehra in Punjab is celebrated with selflessness and charity. 

Delhi
When looking for the best places to celebrate Dussehra in India, how can one miss the very own capital of our country Delhi? The Ramlila shows that take place at Red Fort always end with the death of Ravana. Other tourist attractions in Delhi are also decorated with bright colors and lights. The mouth-watering food and night skies when lit up with crackers will make your Dussehra celebration worthwhile. 

Kota
Kota is also on the list of top places to celebrate Dussehra in India. They organize fairs during the festival that are accompanied by talented artists, entertaining performances, Ramlila, tasty food stalls, and many more fun activities. Additionally, you will also witness some people in ethnic costumes and hear chants of Lord Ram. The fair lasts for ten days, so you can go according to your convenience to experience the most fun kind of Dussehra celebration. 

Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Dussehra celebration in Bastar, Chhattisgarh is unique and diverse in comparison to the other parts of India. Unlike the rest of the country, the festival here is not dedicated to Lord Ram; instead, it is celebrated in the honor of a local Goddess “Maa Danteshwari” and lasts for 75 days. Women of the tribal community get ready and perform rare but interesting rituals. Moreover, many other performances and rituals that are followed for ages now. Hence, you must experience the extremely different yet most intriguing Dussehra celebration in Bastar at least once in a lifetime. 

Final thoughts
The festive season is around the corner and it all starts with the most auspicious nine days of Navratri followed by Dussehra and other exciting festivals. With India being the most diverse country, the Dussehra celebration is extremely different in every corner of the country. 

So, if you are a festival Junkie you should experience the best Dussehra celebration in India with these places mentioned above and their unique culture.