The journey of the monsoon ends, and India welcomes autumn with festive vibes. The country turns into a wonderland, Durga Ji comes home, diyas are lit up, and people are in the brightest mood, ready for the celebration of festivals.
In this blog post, we will celebrate autumn and explore India’s most festive travel spots.
Durga Pooja Celebration in Dibrugarh, Assam
In Assam, Durga Pooja is celebrated more calmly; people indulge in social gatherings after tea harvesting. The festival brings happiness and money, as the tea harvester gets a bonus after harvesting. In Dibrugarh’s Bokel Tea Estate, the Durga Pooja festival has been celebrated for 187 years. We can say this is the oldest celebration, from the Ahom period till the 21st century. If you want to experience a calmer version of the Durga Pooja Festival, then Assam’s Dibrugarh is the best place to explore. You can explore through villages, visit monasteries, and watch nature’s beauty.
Meghalaya Drum Festival
Drums celebrate autumn in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills. The village turns into gold shades, and villagers gather at the ground to celebrate the festival. In Meghalaya, it is also called the Wangala Festival or 100 Drums Festival. In this celebration, villagers celebrate harvesting and thank the Sun God with a dance performance and drumbeat. If you are planning a trip to Meghalaya in autumn, don’t miss the Wangala Festival, and visit Meghalaya’s popular spots, like Balpakram National Park, Norkek Biosphere, Siju Caves, and other places. For vegetarians, the food is tough to get, but for non-vegetarians, Nakham Barcha is served with local rice beer.
Arunachal’s Tawang Festival
Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is a picturesque destination, and in autumn, it feels like you are in a fairy world. In October, Tawang celebrates the state’s biggest cultural fest, Tawang Festival. The festival begins with a prayer in the monastery, followed by cultural dance, competition, and stalls of authentic food, like momos, thukpa, and red rice. You can explore Thawang’s Sela Pass, Nuranang Waterfall, and monasteries. In winter, Thawang turned white, and in autumn, the city is stunned with golden sunlight, clear skies, and calm nature. As per locals, autumn is the best season to explore Thawang.
UNESCO Site at Bishnupur, West Bengal
In West Bengal’s Bishnupur, the Terracotta Temple is situated, which is known for its UNESCO recognition. The city must visit places in autumn and during the festival of Durga Pooja. People visit Kolkata for Durga Pooja, but Bishnupur’s celebration is different from the one in the state. The celebration of Mrinmoyee Maa Pujo in Bishnupur dates back to 994 AD, which makes it the oldest in the state. The pandals and the idol of Maa Durga are eye-catching and have won several awards. The theme is different from others and shows hard work and creativity. The architecture mesmerised you, and the committee focused on eco-friendly craftsmanship. Kolkata’s sweets are famous, so don’t miss tasting Madur Kathi Mishti, Muri Ghonto, and Kochuru Alur Dom.
If you have time, then explore Kolkata’s Durga Pooja festival, and this year, the iconic yellow taxi has been transformed into moving artwork. The artwork shows the journey of Durga Pooja from 1985 to 2024. 40 taxis run in the street, and the taxis are painted with traditional and modern celebration themes.
Final Thoughts
In India, people celebrate every season, and autumn welcomes Maa Durga with rhythmic beats of Navratri. Each state has its own charm and way of celebration that makes it different from others. The only connection is that it is dedicated to Maa Durga and Navratri.
Pack your bag and explore unexplored places with Hema…
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