Top 5 places to experience Dasara

COORG, India - Oct. 12, 2016 - PRLog -- Excited faces. Lively eyes. A procession of startling demons and avenging goddesses. Scores of flowers, food stalls and toys. And an atmosphere so charged it evokes the ancient sports arenas of Rome. That's how Dasara, one of our biggest, boldest and most spectacular festivals, looks like. From Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh to Himachal and Karnataka, the entire nation is galvanized by this festival, this ten-day party that celebrates the victory of good over evil – something everyone can relate to.

So what can one expect? Dasara is a carnival of joys and wonders but there are three things you must experience: the theatre, the carnivals, and the food. And here are the best places to experience them in.

The most exciting and creative part of the festival is the re-enactment of scenes from the Ramayana, called Ram Leela. On the 10 th day the drama reaches a crescendo and the famous, much anticipated Ravana Dahan is enacted. This culminates in the burning of Ravana effigies.

Then there are the carnivals conducted in 'pandals' erected across the city. One can walk into any of them and indulge in food, games, shopping, and socializing.

Last but not the least, there's the food. If you like heartland and Bengali cuisine, then this is your chance to feast on a wide palette of flavours and ingredients. And if you have never tried it, then this is your best chance to sample it. It will be a refreshing change from both your daily cuisine and the continental food one usually experiments with in Bangalore. Dasara cuisine is, by comparison, more flavourful and also deeply nourishing.

In its theatricality, sociability and culinary diversity, the festival is often reminiscent of Onam, the Kerala harvest festival.

However, reasons for celebrating Dasara differ from region to region. Here are 5 places that celebrate Dasara in their own way and for their own reasons. Choose your holiday:

1. Kullu Dasara

This once little known variant of the festival has gained a reputation across India for being a creative, exceptional celebration. The celebrations actually begin when the rest of the revellers are heading home after the 10-day fest. Celebrations start only on the 10 th day and goes on from there.

How to get there: The nearest airport is Chandigarh. From there you can hire a cab.

Nearby places to stay: Morpheus Valley Resort, Apple Valley Resort

2. Mysuru Dasara

This is the big one, the one that draws crowds from all over Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It called Nada Habba and it has been celebrated here for almost 400 years. The festival marks the victory of Chamundeshwari over Mahishasura. Don't miss the lighting of the Mysore Palace.

How to get there: It is well-connected by rail, air and bus.

Nearby places to stay: Royal Orchid, Dasaprakash

3. Bastar Dasara

Dasara in Bastar varies in its message and tone. It is not about the return of Rama to Ayodhya. On the other hand, the festival here is dedicated to the goodness of Danteshwari Devi.

How to get there: Train to Raipur, Chattisgarh and then by bus to Bastar

Nearby places to stay: Bastar Jungle Resort, Naman Bastar

4. Kota Dasara

Kota, a town in Rajasthan, features an exciting big mela for 3 days. Scores of Ravana effigies are burnt in the end. If you like Rajasthani food and handicrafts, you will love Dasara in Kota.

How to get there: Bus and rail

Nearby places to stay: Maheshwari Resort

5. Madikeri Dasara

If you're interested in historical significance, then the Madikeri Dasara is the oldest Dasara legacy in history. This is a ten-day party. Scores of mantaps in the form of cars and trucks feature demons and their vanquishing by goddesses. Prep work begins months before. Madikeri Dasara celebrations are financed by the public and is a great example of crowd-funded work.

How to get there: Bus

Places to stay: Amanvana Spa Resort, Coorg

Descriptions aside, this spectacular festival is best experienced in the flesh. You cannot imagine how it will be. You must go there. The party begins next week. So start gearing up and prepare for a week-long celebration!

For more info visit us : http://www.amanvanaspa.com/