Photo:
R. Vengadesh
A new range of idols representing Lord Jagannath of Puri and dolls depicting scenes from the Ramayana are among the items on display at the sales-cum-exhibition organised by the Poompuhar showroom in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu October 4, 2026.
Photo:
Vijay Soneji
Artists from the Panghat Garba Group immerse themselves in a high-energy rehearsal ahead of Navratri at Rajwadu in Ahmedabad on October 4, 2026.
Photo:
Vijay Soneji
Panghat Garba Group artists put the finishing touches on their performance at Rajwadu Traditional Restaurant in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Photo:
G. Ramakrishna
Idols of Goddess Durga are displayed for sale at a market in Hyderabad, Telangana, on October 5, 2026.
Photo:
K.V.S. Giri
An artisan gives final touches to the idols of Goddess Durga at a workshop, in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on October 7, 2026.
Photo:
Kommuri Srinivas
An artist portraying Goddess Kali performs a fire stunt during the Dasara Navaratri procession organised by devotees at the Chennakesavaswamy Temple Circle in Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, on October 14, 2026.
Photo:
G. Ramakrishna
Devotees visit a beautifully decorated Durga Puja pandal in Secunderabad, Telangana on October 16, 2026.
Photo:
V. Raju
Members of the Bengali community, organised by the UTSAB Cultural Association, take part in a traditional Prabhat Pheri — singing devotional songs and playing traditional instruments — as part of Durga Puja celebrations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on October 16, 2026.
Photo:
Sushil Kumar Verma
Devotees offering prayer and clicking pictures at Minto Road Mandal during Durga Puja celebration, in New Delhi on October 16, 2026.
Photo:
G.N. Rao
Devotees offer prayers and seek the blessings of Goddess Kanaka Durga at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri during the Dasara Devi Navaratri celebrations in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on October 17, 2026.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
A priest offer prayers at a pandal, where an idol of Hindu goddess Durga is displayed during the Durga Puja festival in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir on October 17, 2026.
Photo:
Biswaranjan Rout
A traditional artist paints portraits on masks of the demon king Ravana at a workshop ahead of the Dussehra festivities in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on October 17, 2026. The effigies of Ravana are traditionally burned by devotees to mark the culmination of the Durga Puja festival
Photo:
M.A. Sriram
Intricate aerial formations light up the sky during a Dasara festival drone show at the Torchlight Parade Grounds in Mysuru, Karnataka on October 17, 2026.
Photo:
PTI
A priest at a Durga Puja pandal during the Durga Puja and Navratri festival, at Allen Park on Park Street, in Kolkata October 17, 2026.
Photo:
Rajesh N
As part of their religious observance, devotees wear kaappu (a sacred wrist thread) and dress up in various costumes to collect offerings for the god and fulfill their vows. Thousands of devotees and Dasara groups from Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi and other districts in Tamil Nadu began arriving in Kulasekrapattinam, on October 17, 2026.
Photo:
Rajesh N
Devotees dressed as gods, mythological characters and other figures during the annual Dasara festival of Mutharamman temple at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
Photo:
Rajesh N
Devotees in striking costumes at Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district. The Soorasamharam (annihilation of demon), the highlight of the festival, will take place on the midnight of October 20, 2026.
Photo:
N. Rajesh
With lakhs of devotees expected to attend the grand event, the town is witnessing a steady influx of pilgrims from various parts of Tamil Nadu.
Photo:
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People make a formation at the ‘garba’ celebrations during the ‘Navratri’ festival, in Rajkot, Gujarat on October 17, 2026.
Photo:
PTI
A rider takes part with his pair of buffaloes during a ‘Kambala’ race event during the ‘Dasara’ festival celebration, in Mysuru, Karnataka on October 18, 2026. Kambala, the traditional buffalo race rooted in Karnataka’s coastal culture, made its debut at the world-famous Mysuru Dasara celebrations this year.
Photo:
Murali Kumar K
Despite the drought-induced rise in flower prices, Krishna Rajendra Market bursts into colour as shoppers throng stalls laden with fresh blooms arriving from surrounding districts ahead of Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami celebrations, in Bengaluru, Karnataka on October 18, 2026.
Photo:
Sriram MA
The illuminated Mysuru Palace in Karnataka holds centre stage during Dasara and appeared in a golden hue with the Chamaraja Circle in the foreground.
Photo:
PTI
Devotees gather at a pandal during the ‘Durga Puja’ festival, in Hyderabad, Telangana on October 19, 2026.
Photo:
PTI
Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar offers prayers before Goddess Durga at a puja pandal during Navratri festival celebrations, in Patna on October. 19, 2026.
Photo:
Kumar SS
A child being initiated into learning at Sri Lakshmi Hayagriva Temple at Muthialpet, on Vijayadashami day in Puducherry, on October 20, 2026.
Photo:
Bashkaran N
Hundreds of children were initiated into the world of letters at the Vidyarambam ritual on Vijayadashami Day in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu on October 20, 2026.
Photo:
Bashkaran N
The Vidyarambham ceremony marks the power of knowledge and Vijayadashami signifies the victory of good over evil.
Photo:
PTI
A police official during ‘Shastra Puja’ on the ninth day of ‘Navratri’ festival, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on October 20, 2026.
Published – October 20, 2026 05:26 pm IST
