Dussehra Holiday 2026: Where Should You Travel in India?

Dussehra is one of India’s most important festivals, but it is also a great opportunity to take a short holiday.

In 2026, Dussehra falls on Tuesday, 20 October, while Navratri begins on 11 October. Depending on your state, workplace or school calendar, you may be able to combine the festival holiday with a weekend and one or two days of leave to create a longer getaway. Current holiday calendars also show different state-specific breaks, so travellers should check their local holiday schedule before finalising dates.

If you are wondering where to travel during the Dussehra holiday 2026, India offers plenty of choices — from the spectacular Kullu Dussehra in Himachal Pradesh and the royal Mysore Dasara in Karnataka to autumn in Kashmir, Rajasthan’s forts and the beaches of Goa.

This guide covers the best destinations, things to do, suggested trip durations and practical tips for planning your Dussehra holiday in India.

When Is Dussehra 2026?

Dussehra / Vijayadashami: 20 October 2026

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, marks the culmination of Navratri and is celebrated in different ways throughout India.

While the festival is associated with the victory of good over evil, the way it is celebrated varies significantly between regions.

That makes Dussehra an excellent time to explore India’s cultural diversity.

For travellers, the biggest advantage is that October also offers favourable travel conditions across many parts of India, particularly in the mountains and several northern and western destinations.

10 Best Places to Travel During Dussehra Holiday 2026

1. Kullu, Himachal Pradesh – Experience a Unique Himalayan Dussehra

Best for: Culture, families, photography and mountains

If you want your Dussehra holiday to be different from a conventional city celebration, Kullu should be at the top of your list.

The International Kullu Dussehra Festival 2026 is scheduled for 21–27 October 2026, immediately following Dussehra on 20 October. The celebrations take place mainly around Dhalpur Ground and involve local deities, traditional processions, cultural performances and the famous Rath procession of Lord Raghunath.

Kullu Dussehra is particularly interesting because it doesn’t follow the same format as Dussehra celebrations in many other parts of India.

Things to experience:

Lord Raghunath Rath procession
Devta processions
Traditional Nati dance
Himachali folk music
Cultural performances
Local food
Handicrafts
Kullu Valley sightseeing

Extend your trip to:

Kullu → Manali → Solang Valley → Naggar

Recommended duration:

4 Nights / 5 Days

High Sky Holiday opportunity: This is one of the strongest destinations to promote because it directly matches your Kullu-Manali and Himachal package inventory.

2. Mysore, Karnataka – Experience the Royal Dasara

Best for: Heritage, culture, families and photography

If Kullu represents Himalayan traditions, Mysore represents royal Dussehra celebrations.

Mysore Dasara is one of Karnataka’s most famous festivals, with the magnificent Mysore Palace illuminated during the celebrations.

The festival features cultural programmes, processions, traditional performances and the famous Jumbo Savari.

Places to visit:

Mysore Palace
Chamundi Hill
Devaraja Market
St. Philomena’s Church
Brindavan Gardens
Karanji Lake

Recommended duration:

2–3 nights

Mysore is an excellent choice for families who want a combination of festival celebrations, history and sightseeing.

3. Kashmir – Enjoy Autumn in the Valley

Best for: Couples, families and scenic holidays

If festivals are not your main priority and you simply want a beautiful October escape, Kashmir is one of the best choices.

October brings the valley towards its famous autumn season, with changing foliage, cooler temperatures and beautiful landscapes.

Places to visit:

Srinagar
Dal Lake
Mughal Gardens
Pahalgam
Gulmarg
Sonamarg

Things to do:

Shikara ride
Explore Srinagar
Visit Mughal gardens
Enjoy Pahalgam’s scenery
Gondola ride in Gulmarg, subject to operations
Try traditional Kashmiri food

Recommended duration:

5 Nights / 6 Days

For travellers from Delhi and North India, Kashmir is particularly convenient for a 4–6 day Dussehra holiday.

4. Jaipur & Rajasthan – Forts, Culture and Royal Heritage

Best for: Families, couples and heritage lovers

October is a good time to explore Rajasthan as temperatures begin becoming more comfortable for sightseeing compared with the peak summer months.

A Dussehra holiday can be used for a short Jaipur–Jodhpur–Udaipur itinerary.

Popular attractions:

Jaipur

Amber Fort
City Palace
Hawa Mahal
Jantar Mantar

Jodhpur

Mehrangarh Fort
Blue City
Jaswant Thada

Udaipur

Lake Pichola
City Palace
Sajjangarh
Old City

Recommended duration:

5–6 nights

For a shorter break, choose Jaipur + Pushkar instead of trying to cover the entire state.

5. Delhi – Experience Dussehra Without Travelling Far

Best for: Short breaks and families

You don’t necessarily have to leave Delhi to enjoy Dussehra.

Delhi hosts numerous Ramlila performances and Dussehra celebrations every year.

A Delhi-based Dussehra holiday can include:

Ramlila performances
Dussehra grounds
India Gate
Old Delhi
Red Fort
Akshardham Temple
National Museum
Local food walks

If you have only one or two days, staying in Delhi can be more practical than spending most of your holiday travelling.

6. Varanasi – Spiritual Dussehra Experience

Best for: Spiritual travel, culture and photography

For a more spiritual holiday, Varanasi offers an entirely different experience.

You can combine Dussehra-related cultural experiences with:

Ganga Aarti
Boat ride on the Ganges
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Assi Ghat
Old Varanasi

Recommended duration:

2–3 nights

Varanasi works particularly well for travellers who want a short cultural getaway rather than a conventional resort holiday.

7. Kolkata – Durga Puja to Dussehra Cultural Experience

Best for: Festival lovers and photographers

If your holiday falls around the end of Navratri and Dussehra, Kolkata offers one of India’s most spectacular festival experiences.

Durga Puja transforms the city with elaborate pandals, artistic installations, cultural programmes and food.

For travellers interested in India’s festival culture, Kolkata can be a memorable October destination.

Things to experience:

Famous pandals
Kumartuli
Traditional food
Cultural performances
Hooghly River
Victoria Memorial
Howrah Bridge

Recommended duration:

3–4 nights

8. Goa – Dussehra by the Beach

Best for: Couples, friends and beach holidays

If you would rather skip the mountains and festivals, Goa is an easy option for a relaxed holiday.

October marks the transition towards Goa’s more popular tourist season.

You can spend the holiday exploring:

Baga
Calangute
Anjuna
Vagator
Panjim
Old Goa
Palolem

Recommended duration:

3–4 nights

Goa is especially suitable for a couple or friends’ Dussehra break.

9. Rishikesh & Mussoorie – Short Himalayan Escape

Best for: Short trips from Delhi

If you don’t want to spend too much time travelling, combine:

Rishikesh + Mussoorie

The trip can include:

Ganga Aarti
River rafting, subject to seasonal operation
Laxman Jhula area
Kempty Falls
Mall Road
Gun Hill
Landour

Recommended duration:

3 Nights / 4 Days

This is particularly suitable for travellers from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh.

10. Kerala – A Longer South India Holiday

Best for: Couples, honeymooners and families

If you have five or more days available, Kerala is another excellent option.

A classic route can include:

Cochin → Munnar → Thekkady → Alleppey

Highlights:

Munnar tea gardens
Thekkady wildlife
Kerala backwaters
Houseboat stay
Local cuisine
Beaches

Recommended duration:

5 Nights / 6 Days

Which Dussehra Destination Should You Choose?

Destination	Best For	Ideal Duration
Kullu	Festival + Mountains	4–5 Days
Mysore	Royal Dussehra	2–3 Days
Kashmir	Autumn + Nature	5–6 Days
Rajasthan	Heritage	5–6 Days
Varanasi	Spirituality	2–3 Days
Kolkata	Festivals	3–4 Days
Goa	Beaches	3–4 Days
Rishikesh-Mussoorie	Short getaway	3–4 Days
Kerala	Family/Honeymoon	5–6 Days
Delhi	Local celebration	1–2 Days

How to Plan Your Dussehra Holiday 2026

1. Decide Your Holiday Length

Before selecting a destination, decide whether you have:

2 days
3 days
4 days
5 days
6+ days

Don’t choose Kashmir or Kerala for a two-day break from Delhi because excessive travel time can reduce your actual holiday.

2. Book Accommodation Early

Dussehra falls during a busy October travel period.

Popular destinations such as Kullu, Manali, Kashmir, Mysore and Jaipur can see increased demand around festival dates.

Book accommodation as early as possible, especially if travelling with family or a group.

3. Choose Your Transport Carefully

For short trips, road travel can be convenient.

For longer-distance destinations such as Kerala or Karnataka, flying can save significant time.

4. Keep Festival Crowds in Mind

Festival destinations can be considerably busier than normal.

If you are travelling to Kullu for Dussehra, for example, don’t expect the same traffic conditions as a normal October weekday.

Keep some buffer time between sightseeing and transportation.

Why October 2026 Is a Good Month for Travel in India

October is one of India’s most interesting travel months.

The monsoon has withdrawn from many parts of the country, temperatures begin becoming more comfortable in northern India, and the festival season brings destinations to life.

Depending on the region, October can offer:

Himalayan autumn landscapes
Pleasant weather
Festival celebrations
Wildlife experiences
Cultural events
Beach holidays
Road trips

This makes the Dussehra holiday 2026 an excellent opportunity to combine a festival with a short vacation.

Dussehra Holiday Packing Checklist

Your packing list will depend on your destination.

Himachal/Kashmir:

Warm jacket
Sweater
Comfortable shoes
Thermals if travelling to colder areas
Sunglasses
Sunscreen

Rajasthan:

Comfortable cotton clothes
Walking shoes
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Light jacket for evenings

Goa/Kerala:

Light clothing
Sandals
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Swimwear where appropriate

For all destinations:

ID documents
Medicines
Power bank
Travel insurance
Phone charger
Basic toiletries

Final Thoughts: Where Should You Travel for Dussehra 2026?

There is no single best Dussehra destination in India.

The right destination depends on the type of holiday you want.

Want a unique festival experience?
Choose Kullu.

Want a royal celebration?
Choose Mysore.

Want autumn landscapes?
Choose Kashmir.

Want forts and heritage?
Choose Rajasthan.

Want spirituality?
Choose Varanasi.

Want a beach holiday?
Choose Goa.

Want a quick trip from Delhi?
Choose Rishikesh, Mussoorie or Jaipur.

Want a longer family or honeymoon holiday?
Choose Kerala or Kashmir.

And if you want to experience one of India’s most distinctive Himalayan festivals, Kullu Dussehra 2026 deserves special consideration. The International Kullu Dussehra Festival is scheduled for 21–27 October 2026, making it a natural extension after Dussehra on 20 October.

Plan Your Dussehra Holiday with High Sky Holiday

Planning a Dussehra trip doesn’t have to be complicated.

High Sky Holiday can help you plan customized domestic holidays for couples, families, friends and groups, including Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Kerala, Rajasthan and other destinations across India.

You can customize your trip according to:

Travel dates
Number of travellers
Hotel category
Transport preference
Sightseeing requirements
Budget

Planning your Dussehra holiday 2026?

Share your destination, travel dates, number of travellers and budget with High Sky Holiday and let our travel experts help you plan the trip.

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FAQs – Dussehra Holiday 2026

When is Dussehra in 2026?

Dussehra/Vijayadashami falls on 20 October 2026.

Where should I travel during Dussehra 2026?

Some excellent choices include Kullu, Mysore, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Kolkata, Goa, Rishikesh, Mussoorie and Kerala.

Which is the best Dussehra destination in India?

For a distinctive festival experience, Kullu Dussehra is one of the best choices. For a royal celebration, Mysore is an excellent alternative.

Is Kullu Dussehra happening in 2026?

Yes. The International Kullu Dussehra Festival is scheduled for 21–27 October 2026 according to current official district/festival information.

Where can I go from Delhi during the Dussehra holiday?

Depending on your available time, consider Jaipur, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Kullu-Manali, Kashmir or Rajasthan.

Is October a good time to travel in India?

Yes. October is generally a strong travel month for many Indian destinations, particularly after the monsoon season and during the beginning of the festival and autumn travel season.