Festivals and Events in India in October 2012

This festive season, from Dusshera to Diwali, Ramoji Film City commemorates 100 glorious years of Indian cinema with a grand 43 day celebration -- filmy style! It's all set to feature a carnival parade, special entertainment, live shows, games, and illumination of the venue. Accommodation packages are available.

• When: October 14-November 25, 2012.
• Where: Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.

Navaratri is a nine day festival that celebrates the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Worship and fasting take place in the daytime, while the nights are reserved for feasting and dancing. The festival culminates with Dussehra, the victory of good over evil, on the tenth day. In Delhi, the feature of Navaratri celebrations are the Ramlila plays that take place all over the city.

• When: October 16-23, 2012.
• Where: All across India, but particularly in Gujurat, Mumbai, Varanasi, Mysore, and Manali.

• Top Gujarati Garba Venues
• 5 Popular Delhi Ramlila Shows
• When is Navaratri in Future Years?

Mysore Dussehra is Dussehra with a difference! The city's royal heritage ensures that the festival is elaborately celebrated on a grand scale. In Mysore, Dussehra honors the Goddess Chamundeswari, who killed the great demon Mahishasur.

• When: October 16-24, 2012.
• Where: Mysore in Karnataka.

• Mysore Dussehra Photos
• 5 Best Mysore Hotels for All Budgets

In honor of warrior Goddess Durga, elaborately rafted statues of Durga are installed in beautifully decorated podiums in almost every lane of the city during this festival. People flock to the streets to view the goddess statues amidst mesmerizing light shows, drumming, and aromatic food stalls. On the last day of the festival, the statues are paraded around the city before being submerged in the holy Ganges River. The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation runs tours of the podiums and immersions.

• When: October 20-24, 2012.
• Where: Kolkata, West Bengal

• 5 Ways to Experience Durga Puja in Kolkata
• 7 Hotels for Durga Puja in Kolkata
• 10 Famous Durga Puja Pandals in Kolkata

Known as the Worship of the Horse, this unique Rajasthani festival is grandly celebrated by the Mewar royal family of Udaipur on the last day of Navaratri. It honors the special relationship between warrior and horse. See the royal horses being worshiped by the current head of the royal family, accompanied by the palace band. A highlight of the festival is the mouthwatering Rajasthani cuisine.

Complement the celebration by staying at the Shiv Niwas Palace hotel or Fateh Prakash Palace hotel in the Udaipur City Palace Complex.

• When: October 23, 2012.
• Where: Udaipur City Palace, Rajasthan.

The tenth day of the Navaratri festival is known as Dussehra. It's devoted to celebrating the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama.

• When: October 24, 2012.
• Where: Particularly in northern India (Delhi and Varanasi), Kota in Rajasthan, and the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh.

• Dussehra Photo Gallery

Formula One car racing is coming to India for the second time this year. The Grand Prix takes place on a state of the art, newly constructed track with a capacity of 150,000 spectators. It was designed by a German engineer who's behind many high profile new race courses. Online tickets are available for purchase.

• When: October 26-28,2012.
• Where: Jaypee's Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Greater Noida, Delhi.
• Cost:

This eclectic festival, which is the first of its kind in India, showcases regional roots music and the arts. It's a heady fusion of interactive educational events, staged performances, and late night jam sessions. Performers include singers, dancers, instrumentalists and storytellers from various Rajasthani folk communities, as well as nationally and internationally recognized artists. The festival has an outstanding location in and around the imposing Mehrangarh Fort.

• When: October 26-30, 2012.
• Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

• Best Jodhpur Palace Hotels
• Top 5 Budget Hotels in Jodhpur Below $50