Festivals in Chhattisgarh in October 2025: Tradition, Devotion, and Harvest Celebrations
Chhattisgarh, one of India’s culturally rich states, is home to a wide variety of festivals that mirror the region’s deep connection to its land, spirituality, and traditional practices. The month of October is particularly significant, as it coincides with the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest period, offering a fertile ground for celebrations of prosperity, devotion, and communal harmony.
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In October 2025, several festivals like Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Bastar Dussehra, and Madai Festival will light up the state, drawing from both Hindu traditions and the tribal cultural legacy of Chhattisgarh.
1. Navratri (October 2025)
Navratri, a nine-day festival dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Durga, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals across India, including Chhattisgarh. While it is celebrated with grandeur in metropolitan regions, the essence of Navratri in Chhattisgarh is rooted in local traditions and folk practices.
Key Rituals:
- Devi Durga Puja: Throughout the nine days, devotees perform daily pujas in homes and temples, offering flowers, fruits, and sweets to the goddess. Each day is dedicated to a different manifestation of Durga, with an emphasis on themes like strength, wisdom, and fertility.
- Fasting: Many devotees observe fasts, consuming only light foods such as fruits and dairy products. This period is seen as a time for self-purification.
- Garba and Dandiya: Traditional dances like garba and dandiya, though more popular in Gujarat, are also performed in some parts of Chhattisgarh, adding a vibrant, communal atmosphere to the festival.
Navratri is not just a religious festival; it’s a cultural event that brings people together in celebration of feminine power and divine energy.
2. Durga Puja (October 2025)
Following Navratri, Durga Puja marks the culmination of worship dedicated to Goddess Durga, celebrating her victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Key Rituals:
- Idol Installation: Elaborately designed idols of Goddess Durga are installed in public pandals (temporary pavilions) across the state, with the idols beautifully decorated and worshipped over several days.
- Cultural Programs: During Durga Puja, there are various performances, such as traditional dances, dramas, and bhajans (devotional songs), which bring local communities together.
- Vijaya Dashami (Immersion Ceremony): The festival culminates with Vijaya Dashami, when the idol of Goddess Durga is taken out in a grand procession and immersed in a river or lake. This symbolizes Durga’s return to her celestial abode, marking the end of the festivities.
Durga Puja in Chhattisgarh, while less commercialized than in cities like Kolkata, is an integral part of the region’s spiritual life, focusing on devotion and community participation.
3. Dussehra (October 24, 2025)
Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, is celebrated on the tenth day following Navratri and symbolizes the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. This festival has deep cultural roots in Chhattisgarh and is celebrated with unique local practices.
Key Rituals:
- Ramlila Performances: One of the main highlights of Dussehra in Chhattisgarh is the performance of Ramlila—dramatic reenactments of scenes from the Ramayana, recounting the life of Lord Rama and his battle against Ravana.
- Burning of Ravana’s Effigy: The climax of the festival is the burning of huge effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna, symbolizing the destruction of evil. These events are accompanied by fireworks and enthusiastic public gatherings.
- Puja and Processions: Devotees also perform puja to Lord Rama and participate in processions that move through towns and villages, culminating in the ritualistic burning of Ravana’s effigy.
Dussehra, especially in rural Chhattisgarh, is a time for community bonding, with people coming together to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.
4. Bastar Dussehra (Unique to Chhattisgarh)
Bastar Dussehra is one of the most significant and unique festivals of Chhattisgarh, celebrated in the Bastar region for over 75 days, beginning in August and ending in October. Unlike traditional Dussehra festivals, Bastar Dussehra is primarily dedicated to the local deity, Maa Danteshwari.
Key Rituals:
- Rath Yatra (Chariot Procession): The most iconic event of Bastar Dussehra is the grand Rath Yatra, where the deity’s idol is placed on an enormous chariot and pulled by devotees through the streets of Jagdalpur. The rath (chariot) is a symbol of the collective devotion of the tribal people of the region.
- Tribal Dance and Music: Tribal communities perform traditional dances, often accompanied by tribal drumming, which infuses a deeply indigenous flavor into the festival.
- Animal Sacrifice and Offerings: In some parts of Bastar, animal sacrifices are made as offerings to appease local deities and ensure the prosperity of the community.
Bastar Dussehra is an extraordinary example of how tribal customs blend with mainstream Hinduism, making it a festival like no other in India.
5. Madai Festival (Late October 2025)
The Madai Festival is a harvest festival celebrated by the tribal communities of Chhattisgarh, particularly the Gonds and Baigas. It is held in honor of local deities and ancestors, thanking them for the successful harvest season.
Key Rituals:
- Procession of Deities: The festival begins with a procession where tribal deities are carried in decorated palanquins through the village. Devotees offer prayers and sacrifices to these deities.
- Traditional Dance and Music: Folk dances, such as the Gaur Dance and Saila Dance, are performed during the festival, often involving the entire village. These dances depict various aspects of tribal life, including hunting and farming, and are accompanied by tribal music.
- Animal Sacrifice: In some regions, animals like goats and chickens are sacrificed to appease the gods and seek their blessings for the community’s well-being.
The Madai Festival is a true reflection of Chhattisgarh’s tribal culture, where the community comes together to honor their connection with nature and their ancestors.
