Bastar Dussehra
The world's longest Dussehra — 75 days of tribal ritual
Significance
Introduced by the Kakatiya ruler Purushottam Deo in the 15th century. Unique to Bastar's Gond, Maria and Halba tribes — rituals involve possession dances, a floral swing ceremony, and a nocturnal chariot chase.
Jagdalpur's Dussehra runs 75 days instead of 10 — a tribal festival honouring the goddess Danteshwari, not Rama's victory. Its climax features a 400-year-old wooden chariot pulled by thousands of tribal youth across the town.
First-time visitor
Arrive 2 days before Vijaya Dashami for the Kachan Gaadi possession ceremony and the all-night chariot pull.
What to see
- Pat Jatra — tree-felling ritual to build the chariot
- Kachan Gaadi — possession ceremony by the Mirgan priestess
- Bheetar Raini — all-night chariot pull on Day 73
- Baahar Raini — the climactic wooden chariot run
Festival foods
Best for
Travel tips
- 1Plan for Days 70–75 to catch the big rituals
- 2Fly into Raipur, then 300 km by road to Jagdalpur
- 3Pair with Chitrakote Falls and Kutumsar caves
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Chitrakote Falls
Chhattisgarh
The country's widest waterfall, a 300-metre horseshoe along the Indravati that tears through Bastar's sal forests. Locals call it the Niagara of India.
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Questions & Answers
About Bastar Dussehra
Bastar Dussehra 2026 is scheduled for 12 Aug – 20 Oct 2026. That's 59 days from today.
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