For Dussehra 2025, travellers can explore India's diverse festive destinations, from Himachal Pradesh's Kasol and Kullu to Rajasthan's Mandawa and Jodhpur, Uttarakhand's Rishikesh, Maharashtra's Lonar, and spiritual hubs like Varanasi and Agra, blending culture, nature, and rituals
As Dussehra 2025, cities across India prepare for fireworks, rituals, and grand processions. For many travellers, it is also the perfect excuse to turn the festive holiday into a long weekend escape. North and West India, with their mix of culture, history, and natural beauty, are packed with options for Dussehra long weekend travel. From riverside villages in Himachal Pradesh and spiritual ghats in Uttarakhand to Rajasthan's painted havelis and Maharashtra's offbeat landscapes, these festive getaways offer something for everyone. Here are 12 of the best places to visit during Dussehra in India, where tradition and travel meet seamlessly.
The 12 Best Destinations To Visit During The Dussehra Long Weekend:
1. Kasol and Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
The Parvati River cuts through Kasol, where cafés hum with travellers trading stories over steaming coffee and bakeries offer the scent of fresh bread. Treks to Kheerganga or Tosh lure the adventurous, while Kasol's mix of Himachali and Israeli flavours makes it a cultural crossroads.
Just beyond lies Kullu, where Dussehra stretches into a week-long celebration. Lord Raghunath's grand procession winds through the "Valley of Gods," as apple orchards, icy peaks, and the rush of the Beas form the backdrop. Together, Kasol and Kullu balance riverside calm with the pulse of one of India's grandest Dussehra festivities.
2. Pangot, Uttarakhand
After Kullu's energy, Pangot feels like another world. Hidden near Nainital, this village is more birdsong than bustle. With over 250 bird species, it is a sanctuary for birdwatchers and a balm for city-tired souls. Homestays here promise mornings where mist hangs over the hills and the only alarm is the call of Himalayan magpies. Treks to Naina Peak or afternoons spent on shaded trails make Pangot a quiet counterpoint to the carnival spirit of Dussehra.
3. Mandawa, Rajasthan
From Himalayan quietude to Rajasthani colour, Mandawa greets travellers with frescoes that spill across its havelis. In the Shekhawati region, every narrow lane feels like an open-air art gallery. Murals tell stories of local legends, royal life, and desert folklore. Unlike Rajasthan's busier cities, Mandawa offers intimacy-wandering markets, a climb to Mandawa Fort, and evenings that end with folk tales painted on centuries-old walls. It is culture woven into every corner, perfect for a festival break.
4. Jodhpur, Rajasthan
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If Mandawa whispers history, Jodhpur shouts it from its blue-painted rooftops. The Mehrangarh Fort, towering above the city, becomes the stage for cultural performances during Dussehra. Down below, Sardar Market bursts with spices, textiles, and local banter. Food is its own story here-mirchi bada that crackles with spice, and mawa kachori that leaves you reaching for seconds. As October evenings cool, rooftop dining with the fort lit against the night sky feels like Jodhpur's own festive finale.
5. Pushkar, Rajasthan
Not far from Jodhpur lies Pushkar, where the ghats glow at sunrise and temple bells ring out across the sacred lake. Dussehra in Pushkar means rituals at the Brahma Temple, camel rides into the desert, and streets lined with bohemian cafés and artisan stalls. The town's energy is both spiritual and playful, a place where early morning prayers flow easily into afternoons spent bargaining for trinkets or sipping tea by the lake.
6. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Shift from desert sands to the foothills of the Himalayas. Rishikesh, with the Ganges coursing through, offers Dussehra travellers both thrill and reflection. The rapids invite river rafting, while the yoga ashrams and meditation centres ground visitors in quiet routines. As dusk falls, the Ganga Aarti transforms the riverfront into a spectacle of fire and song. After Pushkar's lakefront rituals, Rishikesh offers a different spiritual rhythm, one carried by the current of the river.
7. Dharamshala and McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh
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A little higher in the mountains, Dharamshala and McLeodganj reveal the Tibetan heart of Himachal. Prayer flags flutter against the skyline, monasteries offer spaces for reflection, and cafés buzz with travellers tucking into momos while swapping trekking stories. As the home of the Dalai Lama, it adds a deeper layer of spirituality, but also one of community-where travellers linger in bookshops or on trails simply to absorb the mountain calm. After Rishikesh's riverfront energy, Dharamshala's high-altitude quiet is a fitting pause.
8. Jaipur, Rajasthan
Jaipur takes celebration to another level. The Pink City sparkles during Dussehra with puppet shows, folk dances, and cultural events staged in its forts and palaces. Bazaars brim with festive shopping-jewellery, fabrics, and sweets like ghewar and chawal kachori. Rooftop restaurants with sweeping views of historic ramparts provide evenings that feel both regal and festive. Coming after Dharamshala's calm, Jaipur jolts you back into the heart of colour and celebration.
9. Lonar, Maharashtra
For something truly different, Lonar in Maharashtra changes the setting completely. A meteorite left behind the Lonar Crater Lake, and walking its rim feels otherworldly. Ancient temples dot the landscape, while the forest sanctuary hums with life. During Dussehra, Lonar's surreal stillness contrasts beautifully with the festival's fire, making it a retreat for those who like their holidays tinged with mystery and natural wonder.
10. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
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Few cities capture the spirit of Dussehra like Varanasi. Famous for its grand Ramlila performances and effigy burnings, the city transforms into a living stage. Along the Ganges, aarti ceremonies light up the ghats, while narrow alleys lead to sweet shops and silk stalls. The spiritual weight of Varanasi, combined with its festive grandeur, makes it one of the most powerful places to experience Dussehra in India. After the otherworldly landscapes of Lonar, Varanasi brings the journey back to the heart of faith and ritual.
11. Agra
For travellers in North India, Delhi and Agra remain timeless festive escapes. Delhi's historic Ramlila grounds host some of the most elaborate Dussehra performances in the country, with grand effigies of Ravana set aflame amid fireworks and drums. Just a few hours away, Agra offers a blend of heritage and leisure - standing before the Taj Mahal during the crisp October evenings is an experience in itself. With plenty of cultural events and a rich food scene, Delhi and Agra together form a perfect Golden Triangle escape for the Dussehra long weekend.
12. Goa
In Western India, Mumbai and Goa remain classic urban escapes during the festive season. Mumbai's Dussehra is celebrated with grandeur in its temples and cultural centres, while the city's theatre and music performances add to the energy. A short flight or drive away, Goa offers a change of pace - sunset beaches, Portuguese churches, and vibrant markets. Whether you prefer Mumbai's urban buzz or Goa's laid-back festive charm, both destinations make excellent picks for a quick Dussehra getaway.
Dussehra is more than a single evening of fireworks - it is a season that lends itself to journeys filled with colour, history, and calm. From sipping coffee by the Parvati to watching aarti flames flicker over the Ganges, from tracing frescoes in Shekhawati's havelis to circling a crater lake, each destination holds its own story. This year, let your festive break be more than just a holiday. Let it be a trail of experiences that stay long after the effigies turn to ash.
