Where to Celebrate Dussehra 2026? 4 Unforgettable Destinations + Travel Tips

Quick Summary

Dussehra 2026 will be on Tuesday, 20 October, while Sharad Navratri will start from 11 October. In case you are not sure about which destination to choose for your Dussehra 2026 trip, then you must know that North India offers some excellent Dussehra holiday spots which are quite close to Punjab, Chandigarh, and Delhi. This article will take you through four such Dussehra 2026 destinations and other useful details.

• For mountain ranges and tradition: Kullu Dussehra, Himachal Pradesh
• For devotion and good food: Amritsar, Punjab
• For spectacular Ramlila and Ravan Dahan: Delhi
• For family trip in short span: Chandigarh, Panchkula & Shimla
• Dussehra is just around two weeks ahead, so plan your car and hotel now

Dussehra 2026 Tour Packages at a Glance

Destination	Duration	Route	Best For	Vehicle Options
Kullu and Manali	3 Nights 4 Days	Chandigarh to Manali	Couples, families, culture lovers	Dzire, Ertiga, Innova Crysta, Tempo Traveller
Amritsar	2 Nights 3 Days	Chandigarh to Amritsar	Families, devotees, food lovers	Sedan, Ertiga, Tempo Traveller
Delhi	2 Nights 3 Days	Chandigarh to Delhi	Ramlila, shopping, city lovers	Innova Crysta, SUV, Tempo Traveller
Chandigarh and Shimla	2 Nights 3 Days	Chandigarh to Shimla	Friends and short getaways	Dzire, Etios, Innova, Tempo Traveller

Final rates depend on travel dates, group size and car type, so ask for a custom quote before you confirm.

4 Dussehra 2026 Destinations Worth the Trip

Each place below has its own festive mood, so choose one based on who is travelling with you and how many days you have. All the four places can be easily accessed by roadways from Punjab, Chandigarh, and Delhi.

1. Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Kullu Dussehra is the main reason travellers visit the valley in October. While the rest of the country burns Ravan effigies on 20 October, Kullu Dussehra begins on that day and continues for a whole week at Dhalpur Maidan. Villagers carry hundreds of deities from their villages in colourful palanquins, led by the chariot of Lord Raghunath Ji.

• Reach Kullu by 19 October to catch the opening procession
• Include Manali, Solang Valley, and Naggar in your itinerary to turn it into a full holiday
• Road journey from Chandigarh to Kullu takes about 7 to 8 hours
• Verify the schedule through the local administration before your journey
• Reserve hotels early since Kullu and Manali experience high traffic during the festival season

Did You Know? Most of India ends Dussehra by burning Ravan effigies, but in Kullu the festival is just beginning. Kullu Dussehra starts on Vijayadashami and runs for seven days. Its roots go back to the 17th century, when Raja Jagat Singh installed the idol of Lord Raghunath as the valley’s ruling deity. 

2. Amritsar, Punjab

Amritsar combines Dussehra with the calm of the Golden Temple and the bold flavours of Punjab. The Durgiana Temple holds special Navratri pujas, and large Ravan effigies are burnt at several grounds across the city on Dussehra evening. It is also a good choice for families with children and elders.

• Try to go to the Golden Temple in the early morning to escape queueing
• Plan the Wagah Border ceremony for the evening and arrive early to get a good seat
• Have Amritsari kulcha, lassi, and langar at least once
• The journey from Chandigarh will take around 4 to 5 hours
• Jallianwala Bagh is better visited in the afternoon

3. Delhi

Dussehra is celebrated in grand style in Delhi. Ramlila events take place throughout Navratri in various parts of the city and culminate in the festival’s grand finale which is known as the Ravan Dahan, along with huge effigies and firecrackers.

• Reach your destination by late afternoon, as the firework display will be held after the sun sets
• Expect traffic diversions near the major venues
• The distance from Chandigarh to Delhi is about 260 km, which would take around 4 to 5 hours to reach by NH44
• Select a place near Metro stations to avoid evening traffic
• Use the free time for early Diwali shopping in the Old Delhi markets

4. Chandigarh, Panchkula and Shimla

Chandigarh and Panchkula host some of the tallest Ravan effigy burnings in the region. This makes the location perfect for a short family outing. After the celebrations, continue to Shimla, about 115 km away, for fresh mountain air, Mall Road and the Ridge.

• Go to the Ravan Dahan ceremony in Chandigarh or Panchkula on the evening of 20 October
• Then go to Shimla the next day and have fun around the ridge and Jakhu temple
• Shimla is around 3 to 4 hours by road from Chandigarh
• This plan suits you for two to three days

Dussehra 2026 Travel Tips

• Book early. Cars, tempo travellers and hotels in Kullu, Manali and Amritsar fill up quickly around Dussehra
• Check Timings. The timing for Vijay Muhurat on 20 October will be 1:59 PM to 2:45 PM, but the timings vary from city to city
• Arrange for evening plans. Ravan Dahan happens in the evening so keep your afternoon free
• Carry warm clothes. Night time in the month of October can be quite cold in Manali, Kullu, and Shimla
• Don’t drive at night in hill stations. Start early so that you reach your hotel before sunset
• Always carry ID proof and cash. The network connection might not work in hill stations so always have maps and hotel information downloaded offline
• Ask about inclusions. Clarify toll charges, parking, state taxes, and driver charges before making payments
• Select the right car. Sedan is the right choice for couples, Ertiga and Innova Crysta are apt for families, and tempo traveller on rental basis for groups of more than 10 people

Best Dussehra 2026 Tour Packages from Virk Tour Travels

For a quick solution, our Dussehra 2026 holiday packages have been designed keeping in mind the four mentioned destinations. Each package can be customised to suit your date, hotel preferences, and group size.

Tour Package for Kullu Dussehra & Manali, 3 Nights 4 Days

A complete holiday package of Himachal for the festive season. The tour covers Kullu Dussehra, Manali sightseeing and Solang Valley, with a private AC car and an experienced mountain driver. Manali taxi services can also be added for local sightseeing.

Golden Temple and Wagah Border Tour from Amritsar, 2 Nights 3 Days

A comfortable family trip covering the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Durgiana Temple and the Wagah Border ceremony. Book a taxi service for the journey from Chandigarh to Amritsar.

Delhi Ramlila and Ravan Dahan Tour Package, 2 Nights 3 Days

Customised for travellers who want the full Dussehra atmosphere. It includes Ramlila viewing, Old Delhi street food and a flexible evening plan for the Ravan Dahan. Our Delhi Cab Service from Chandigarh takes care of the road journey.

Chandigarh & Shimla Dussehra Tour Package, 2 Nights 3 Days

The easiest festival break on the list. Enjoy Dussehra in Chandigarh or Panchkula, then head to the hills with our taxi service from Chandigarh to Shimla.

Basic package covers private car, driver cost, fuel cost, toll cost, parking and taxes. Additional services can be availed as per your requirements.

For a longer holiday, take a look at our Shimla Kullu Manali tour or our outstation taxis from Delhi, Punjab and Chandigarh.

Final Thought

Dussehra celebration is all about victory, family and togetherness, so visiting the right place really makes the celebration much better. Whether you choose the Kullu Valley, the devotion of Amritsar, the splendour of Delhi or the laid-back charm of Chandigarh and Shimla, a well planned trip makes all the difference. Virk Tour Travels has been serving travellers across Punjab, Chandigarh and Delhi since 2003, with air-conditioned cars, licensed drivers and 24/7 support. Give us your details and we will arrange the best Dussehra tour package for you in 2026.

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