Navratri On The Hills How Himachal And Uttarakhand Celebrate The Goddess

While much of India marks the end of Navratri with effigy burnings, Kullu valley in Himachal continues the celebrations with one of the grandest spectacles in the country. Kullu Dussehra is a week-long congregation of local deities who are carried from their shrines in palanquins to gather around the central idol of Lord Raghunath. This convocation of gods is unique to the region and reflects the Himalayan tradition of treating deities as living guardians of communities. The festival draws massive crowds, combining devotion with fairs, folk performances, and cultural showcases that turn the valley into a celebration of faith and heritage.

The state’s famed hilltop temples see a surge of visitors during Navratri. Naina Devi in Bilaspur, regarded as a Shakti peeth, becomes a hub of continuous aartis, offerings, and community kitchens. Chamunda Devi in Kangra too becomes a focal point for pilgrims, with its hilltop location making every darshan feel like a spiritual trek. These temples are not only centres of devotion but also become grounds for fairs, folk dances, and bustling bazaars that keep the festive spirit alive from dawn to dusk.

In Uttarakhand, Navratri celebrations blend rituals with local culture. The Nanda Devi mela in Almora, Nainital, and Bageshwar is one of the most awaited events of the season. Dedicated to the goddess who is revered as the protector of the hills, the mela is a colourful mix of folk music, traditional dance, regional cuisine, and devotional rituals. With its roots in Chand-era traditions, it continues to be a festival that unites communities and reinforces Kumaoni identity.

In Garhwal, the sacred Mansa Devi temple in Haridwar becomes a centre of devotion during Navratri. Thousands of devotees participate in special aartis, tie sacred threads for blessings, and join in the large congregations that give the town its festive rhythm. Across small villages in Uttarakhand, families and communities come together to sing devotional songs, organise processions of miniature goddesses, and renew bonds of faith and social harmony. These intimate traditions showcase the way Navratri in the hills is not just a temple ritual but a celebration of community itself.

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