“The Goddess is within us, awakening to dance in the rhythm of the universe.”
The nine- nights of Navratri weave India into a multi-coloured tapestry of devotion, dance, and cultural
splendour. This religiously important festival, dedicated to the Divine Feminine, is an opportunity to delve into the heart of Indian tradition. From Gujarat’s grand celebrations to Varanasi’s spiritual fervour, every traveller will find just the right Navratri experience.
Top Places to Visit in India on Navratri
Gujarat
Navratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the feminine goddess in Hinduism, is
celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. Devotees start their fast for nine days and surrender in
devotion to Maa Shakti. Aarti around the idol of Goddess Shakti, prayer offerings in honour of Maa Durga, and Garba nights are the events to look out for. The Garba dances, dandiya nights, delicious food
offerings cooked specifically on the occasion, Navratri Cuisine, and extremely beautiful temples attract
any traveller. Ahmedabad, Baroda, and Surat continue to adhere to the festival to be visited along with
Gandhinagar and Patan. So, next time you visit during Navratri you may witness a supernatural
gathering.
Top Temples to Visit on Navratri in Gujarat
| Temple | Location |
|---|---|
| Meldi Maa Temple | Surat |
| Ambaji Temple | Banaskantha |
| Chamunda Temple | Chotila, Surendranagar |
| Kankai Temple | Bhavnagar |
| Matamgi Temple | Bharuch |
| Amba Mata Temple | Amba, Guajrat |
Also Read – Famous Religious Tourism Places in India | Char Dham Yatra Information
West Bengal
In the eastern part of India, it is observed as “Durga Pooja”, and celebrated for four days- Saptami,
Ashthami, Navmi & Dashmi. The temples have life-size figures of Goddess Durga in clay, depicted as
slaying the demon Mahishasura, and heavily decorated with ornaments. These idols are kept
worshipped for four days and then dumped into the river. These five days of the puja are all about
chilling, relaxing, and spending time with family members while also venturing out to different Durga
Puja pandals. There are a ton of them, each with its theme/energy, not forgetting to mention the
beautiful life-size idol of Devi Durga. Some Durga Puja Pandals are not equipped with big lights and loud
music systems closer to the residential area while some are really lavish. Following the religious program,
the worshiper singing devotional songs while taking part in maha Aarti is quite common and it happens
every evening. The Maha aarti (evening) accompanied by the sound of Dhol has its own charm that
makes people seem to go into a sort of trance.
- Thanthania Kalibari- College Street, Kolkata
- Kanak Durga Temple – Jhargram, West Bengal
Varanasi
Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, takes on a special charm during Navratri. The nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the Divine Feminine is enthusiastically observed in this city. The gats, temples, and holy Ganges River fill the air with a unique spiritual rhythm of this traditional event.
- One of the best experiences when in Varanasi, is to attend a Ganga Aarti on one evening where an arti or fire ritual dedicated to Mother Ganges takes place daily during Navratri.
- Seek blessings from numerous temples dedicated to the different forms of Goddess, such as Durga Kund Mandir.
- Participate in traditional dance and music forms such as Garba or Dandiya including the performances held at different venues.
- Will and Living would like to enter the festival and join community events.
- Use the quietness around to make your spiritual side grow so something as meditation and yoga.
- Gorge on authentic Gujarati dishes that you can find at various stalls and restaurants.
- Check out the local bazaars to buy some lovely souvenirs and handicrafts.
Check out – Jaipur vs Udaipur – Comparing Two Jewels of Rajasthan | Best Temples of Ujjain – Top Temples to Visit in Ujjain
Maharashtra
Maharashtrians also get into festive mode for Navratri. The way Navratri is celebrated in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai, is almost similar to the way Gujaratis celebrate.
Navratri in Maharashtra is a very spiritual experience, what makes it different from others is that a separate ritual is observed in all their houses known as Ghatasthapana which takes place on the first day of Navratri. Some soil is kept in a container to form the basis of this mud bed. A small, mud pot filled with water is kept in the middle of this. This vessel stands for Goddess Durga.
Cereals are sown and developed on the earth from all sides of the pot. Five jowar stalks are lightly placed at the top of the saucepan too. Women perform various rituals for nine days, including offering fruits, flowers, and leaves of plants in this pot. Maharashtrians celebrate this day as Navratri and buy new home clothes so that it also symbolizes a fresh start of about 6 months. Furthermore, girls take their girlmates to the house and present them coconut, padagu nadapu nakku.
In Maharashtra, the locals celebrate Garbha and Dandiya nights in every locality of the state. Disco Dandiya nights in cities like Mumbai People also worshiped Goddess Kali. Moreover, people around the world come to Maharashtra and Gujarat this month for these festivals only.
Famous Durga Temples In Maharashtra
- Saptashrungi Temple – Vani, Nashik
- Mahalakshmi Temple – Kolhapur
- Tulja Bhavani Temple – Tuljapur, Solapur
- Renuka Mata Temple – Mahur, Nanded
- Ekvira Devi Temple – Lonavala
- Amba Devi Temple – Amravati
- Chaturshringi Temple – Pune
- Mumba Devi Temple – Mumbai
- Vajreshwari Devi Temple – Near Mumbai
Also Read – Best Things to Explore in Maharashtra
Himachal Pradesh
Himachali Hindus there will celebrate the fasting of all nine days in Himachal accurately. The day is also celebrated as Kullu Dussehra in Himachal, which signifies the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. Devotees from Himachal and other parts of the country come to the temples to worship Goddess Durga.
If you are planning a Himachal Pradesh tour then making part of our Kullu Dusshera is unavoidable. Gods are taken out on processions and brought to fairs so that they can be worshipped. A famous one in the country, that attracts a huge number of tourists every year.
| Temple | Location |
|---|---|
| Naina Devi Temple | Bilaspur |
| Jwala Devi Temple | Kangra |
| Chamunda Devi Temple | Kangra |
| Tara Devi Temple | Shimla |
| Hadimba Devi Temple | Manali |
| Bhimkali Devi Temple | Sarahan |
| Chintpurni Temple | Una |
| Sharvari Devi Temple | Kullu |
Also Read – Best 7 Local Festivals of Rajasthan | 5 Best Places to Visit for Diwali Celebrations in India
Karnataka
The festival is better known as ‘Nada Habba’ (State-festival) Mysore Dasara in the state of Karnataka. Mysore — The 10-Day Dasara of Mysore is renowned throughout the nation The festival is the same way it was celebrated in the 17th century in 1610 by Vijayanagara Dynasty. Vijayadashami, the last day of Dashami is fear for good over evil when Goddess Shakti fought and killed the demon Mahishasura this day. Imagine how vibrant Karnataka would be during Navratris when processions of elephants take over the streets and vast exhibitions of artifacts & handicrafts. When someone calls for Mysore he or she is expecting to see the grandeur of Walk-in-Palace in Karnataka on Dussehra. A lakhs of light bulbs decorate this temple for 9 days.
Famous Durga Temples to Visit on Navratri In Karnataka
- Durgaparameshwari Temple – Kateel, Mangaluru
- Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple – Muchur
- Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple – Belman
- Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple – Herga
- Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple – Paduvalar
- Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple – Puttur
- Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple – Mandarthi
- Kamalashile Durgaparameshwari Temple – Kamalashile
- Annapoorneshwari Temple – Hosanadu
- Kadiyali Sri Mahishamardini Temple – Udipi
- Karinisu Jagadamba Sri Durga Temple – Davangere
- Marikamba Temple – Sirsi
- Bhavani Shankara Temple – Aihole
- Chamundeshwari Temple – Mysuru
Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, Navratri is observed as “Bathukamma Panduga” which translates to ‘Come Alive
Mother Goddess. The idol of Bathukamma Devi in a heap of flowers, worshipping Goddess Gauri, is placed at this place for the Navaratri festival. Apart from its importance, it is one of the biggest festivals in
Andhra Pradesh, especially in the Telangana region. Ladies in silk and gold jewellery surround Bathukamma to seek the blessings of goddess Gauri.
Best Places to Visit in Andhra Pradesh on Navratri in Karnataka
| Temple | Location |
|---|---|
| Kanaka Durga Temple | Vijayawada |
| Mangalagiri Sri Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple | Mangalagiri |
| Yaganti Temple | Nandyal |
| Srikalahasteeswara Temple | Srikalahasti |
| Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple | Kanipakam |
Delhi
Delhi, the bustling capital of India, comes alive with the festive spirit of Navratri. For nine days the streets and community grounds of the city turn into lively dance floors for Garba- Dandiya. The temples become a hub of activities where devotees throng to offer pujas, whereas cultural programs and shopping blend with the festive air. Navratri captures the true spirit of community and camaraderie in Delhi.
Temple in Delhi for Navratri Celebrations
- Jhandewalan Temple – Near Karol Bagh
- Kalkaji Temple – Kalkaji
- Yogmaya Temple – Mehrauli
- Chhatarpur Temple – Chhatarpur
- Gufa Temple – Preet Vihar
- Sheetla Mata Temple – Sheetla Mata Road
- Devi Kamakshi Temple – Near Qutub Institutional Area
- Durga Temple – Hauz Khas
- Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir – Between Nehru Place and Kailash Colony metro station
- Purbo Delhi Kalibari – Delhi
- Shri Durga Mata Mandir – Sarvapriya Vihar
Tamil Nadu
Navratri in Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India, is celebrated with a unique blend of tradition and
modernity. Even though the basic essence of the festival is the same, this particular cultural and
ritual celebration differs from many other regions. The Navratri celebrations in Tamil Nadu are known as
Golu or Bommai Kolu and it is an elaborate display of dolls or deities where they arrange the idols on
steps rangoli decorated. This tradition has nine, actually, ten forms of Divine Feminine and each form
defines different shades of womanhood. Navaratri is also a major festival for the Hindu people here
which takes place over nine nights, including songs, dances(known as garba and dandiya,) and prayers in
various forms at temples & homes of the good atmosphere full of lighting decorations, alongside traditional
offerings
Best places for Navratri celebrations in Tamilnadu
- Kanchi Kamakshi Temple – Kanchipuram
- Kumari Amman Temple – Kanyakumari
- Bannari Amman Temple – Erode
- Vekkali Amman Temple – Tiruchirapalli
- Kathiramangalam Vana Durga Temple – Thanjavur District
- Patteeswaram Temple – Kumbakonam
- Ammankudi Durga Parameswari Temple – Near Kumbakonam
Uttarakhand
Navratri in Uttarakhand, in the land of the Himalayas, is a very different experience and tranquil one. This festival is also celebrated with the essence of spiritual devotion amidst the majestic mountains. Devotees go to ancient temples like Badrinath and Kedarnath to offer prayers and have blessings. A peaceful and tranquil atmosphere describes the perfect place for spiritual contemplation and rejuvenation. While traditional Garba and Dandiya dances might not be that famous, when compared to other parts of the country, the concentration here is usually on spiritual practices and nature’s beauty.
Best places for Navratri celebrations in Tamilnadu
- Naina Devi Temple – Nainital
- Garjiya Devi Temple – Ramnagar
- Maa Purnagiri Temple – Champawat
- Maa Chandrabadni Devi Temple – Tehri Garhwal
- Surkanda Devi Temple – Tehri Garhwal
- Kasar Devi Temple – Almora
- Kunjapuri Temple Tehri – Garhwal
- Dhari Devi Temple – Rudraprayag
- Maa Kansamardani Temple – Srinagar Garhwal
- Chudamni Devi Temple – Pithoragarh
Best Places for Navaratri Celebration in India
| No. | Place | Famous For | Temples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat | Garba and Dandiya | Khodiyar Mandir, Chamunda Mata Mandir |
| 2 | West Bengal | Durga Puja | Khalighat Kali Temple, Belur Math |
| 3 | Varanasi | Sharadiya Navratri | Annapurna Devi Mandir, Kanaka Durga Mandir |
| 4 | Maharashtra | Dandiya Nights | Siddhi-Vinayak Temple |
| 5 | Himachal Pradesh | Kullu Dussehra | Jwala Devi Temple, Chintapurni Temple |
| 6 | Karnataka | Mysore Dasara | Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill Temple |
| 7 | Andhra Pradesh | Bathukamma Panduga | Kanakadurga Temple, Basara Temple |
| 8 | Delhi | Garba and Dandiya Events | Chhatarpur Temple, ISKCON Temple |
| 9 | Tamil Nadu | Golu Dolls Exhibition | Meenakshi Temple, Vellore Golden Temple |
| 10 | Uttarakhand | Dev Bhoomi Celebrations | Mansa Devi Temple, Naina Devi Temple |
Famous temples for Navratri celebrations abroad in the USA, UK, and other countries like Canada
| No. | Location | Temples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cerritos, California | RRB Studios (Garba event venue) |
| 2 | Edison, New Jersey | J.P. Stevens High School (Garba event venue) |
| 3 | Bellevue, Washington | Bellevue High School (Garba event venue) |
| 4 | Toronto, Canada | BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir |
| 5 | London, UK | Neasden Temple (BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir) |
| 6 | Chicago, Illinois | Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago |
| 7 | Atlanta, Georgia | BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir |
| 8 | San Francisco, California | Sanatan Mandir (Garba event venue) |
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