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Witnessing the best Navratri in India means experiencing the festival brightly and colourfully. It is a nine-night festival when the people celebrate the victory of good over evil through dance, rituals, and prayers. Navratri is celebrated differently in different states, and this gives the travellers a great chance to enjoy the festival when it is at its peak all over India. From Garba and Dandiya nights in Gujarat to Durga Puja in West Bengal and the royal festivities of Mysuru, every place makes a wonderful and enchanting atmosphere. Navratri is a time when the entire country comes together to celebrate and rejoice beautifully.
When Is Navratri In 2025?
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash
Navratri in 2025 will take place from Monday, September 22, 2025, to Thursday, October 2, 2025. Each day, devotees worship different forms of Goddess Durga, following particular colours, rituals, and prayers. The festival celebrates her victory over the demon Mahishasura. Celebrations occur through fasting, dance, music, and devotion. The dates are consistent from year to year, but the celebrations differ greatly from one individual or region to another. From quiet worship to major fairs and performances, Navratri 2025 will offer a unique opportunity for individuals travelling to India to experience the depth of the country’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Top Destinations To Experience Navratri
Experience the vibrant spirit of Best Navratri In India with these top destinations, where devotion, dance, music, and culture come alive in dazzling, unforgettable celebrations.
1. Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Photo: Sayanta Paul / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Ahmedabad is the core of Navratri celebrations in Gujarat and is acclaimed worldwide for its Garba nights. Every night, the city’s most important location, GMDC Ground, pulls in a huge crowd of participants where the dancers, forming concentric circles, move to the beat of live folk and devotional music. The vibe is amazing as the traditional instruments like dhol, dholak and nagara can be heard mingling with the dance steps of countless hours of Garba and Dandiya. Besides, the visitors can also check out the community events held in the residential areas/societies and temples, which are smaller in size and offer a more relaxed and genuine festival view.
Nearest Airport: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
Entry Fee: None
2. Kolkata, West Bengal
Photo: Goutam1962 / Wikimedia Commons
Navratri in Kolkata is a celebration of a lifetime with Durga Puja as its centrepiece. The beautiful pandals lining the city’s streets are no less than works of art, each having its own theme that could be something from an age-old myth or something that belongs to the present-day culture. People from different parts of the world come to see the stunning idols of Goddess Durga made with amazing detail and are worshipped using the same rituals that have always been followed, which are a reflection of Bengal’s spiritual reverence. To experience the best Navratri in India, it is not merely to partake in worship but to see the artistic, creative and indomitable festive spirit of Bengal.
Nearest Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
Entry Fee: None
3. Mysuru, Karnataka
Photo: Ananth BS / Wikimedia Commons
Mysuru is famous for the royal Dasara festivities, which rank among the most spectacular in India. The highlight of the festival is the magnificent parade that occurs on Vijayadashami when the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is taken in a decorated golden howdah on an elephant to the temple. The procession on the streets of Mysuru is joined by the musicians, dancers, and the attractively decorated floats that represent the artistic and cultural heritage of Karnataka. During this period, the Mysore Palace is turned into an amazing visual, lit up with almost 100,000 lights, making a view that attracts visitors from all over the country.
Nearest Airport: Mysore Airport
Entry Fee: None
4. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Photo: Himanshu Singh / Pexels
Varanasi, the city known as one of the oldest living cities in the world, is a deeply spiritual place to visit during Navratri. One of the main features here is the well-known Ram Leela of Ramnagar, a month-long play that retells the life of Lord Rama. The performance is held at Ramnagar Fort, an ancient fort, and thus every evening it draws a large crowd of spectators who want to see the same play that has been performed for centuries. The aartis and rituals, which are specially held on the Ganges’ ghats, add to the spiritual ambience, as thousands of lamps floating on the river make a magical sight.
Nearest Airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
Entry Fee: None
5. Mumbai, Maharashtra
Photo: Pete Burana / Shutterstock
Navratri is celebrated in Mumbai with a lively and interesting mix of ancient and modern practices. The city is very famous for its Dandiya and Garba nights, which are held in open grounds, clubs, and community halls, and as a result, attract people of all ages. Several local and international celebrities perform live at these events, which is why these events are extraordinary and give culture lovers excellent experiences. During the days of Navratri, in addition to dance events, several temples in Mumbai, such as Mahalaxmi Temple and Siddhivinayak Temple, serve as venues for special prayers and rituals that attract large crowds of devotees.
Nearest Airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Entry Fee: None
6. Delhi
Photo: Ankit Gupta / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The capital city of India, Delhi, marks Navratri through a combination of religious rituals and public events. The Ram Leela is one of the most important aspects of the festival, which by far dominates the entire city. Through the staging of different episodes of the Ramayana, people throughout the city visually demonstrate the burning of Ravana’s effigy on Dussehra. These numerous performances, which happen in open spaces, draw huge audiences and arouse a happy mood with great enthusiasm. Apart from Ram Leela, Navratri fairs established in various locations of the city provide visitors with an opportunity to enjoy the presentation of arts, the practice of traditional crafts, and the sampling of local foods.
Nearest Airport: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
Entry Fee: None
What To Wear And Experience During Navratri
Photo: Saurabh Sirohiya / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Navratri is not only about devotion but also vibrant attire, food, and cultural festivities. Women wear chaniya cholis or red-white saris, while men don kediyas, kurtas, or dhotis. In cities like Delhi and Varanasi, traditional ethnic wear adds charm to temple visits and fairs.
Festive foods like sabudana khichdi, kuttu puri, and fafda-jalebi are widely enjoyed. From Garba nights and Ram Leela plays to illuminated temples and pandals, Navratri offers tourists a colourful, authentic glimpse into India’s traditions and joyful spirit.
Navratri in India is a grand celebration of devotion, culture, and community spirit. From Gujarat’s vibrant Garba nights to Kolkata’s majestic Durga Puja pandals and Mysuru’s iconic Dasara procession, every region offers unique traditions. Music, dance, and rituals bring people together in joy and reverence. Plan your festive journey with TripXL and experience the best Navratri in India, where every moment reflects the soul of the nation.
Cover Photo: आर्या जोशी / Wikimedia Commons
