Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals in India, especially in West Bengal, but in recent years Rajasthan has become an exciting destination to experience this grand festival. Known for its forts, palaces and vibrant culture, Rajasthan gives a unique twist to the traditional Bengali Durga Puja. In cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Kota, the festival is celebrated with beautifully decorated pandals, traditional rituals, cultural performances and mouth watering festive food.
In 2025, Durga Puja will be from Sunday, 28 September to Thursday, 2 October and Mahalaya on Sunday, 21 September. If you are planning a trip to Rajasthan during this time, visiting during Durga Puja is a great way to see how Bengali traditions merge with Rajasthan’s royal heritage. This guide will help you to explore the best places, rituals, and travel tips to make the most of your Durga Puja in Rajasthan.
Durga Puja 2025 Dates & Significance
Durga Puja is the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, the victory of good over evil. In 2025, it will be celebrated from 28th September to 2nd October with key rituals on:
- Mahalaya (21st September) – Beginning of Devi Paksha.
- Shashthi (28th September) – Goddess Durga’s arrival.
- Saptami (29th September) – Morning rituals and main festivities start.
- Maha Ashtami (30th September) – Anjali and cultural events.
- Navami (1st October) – Special pujas and dhunuchi dance.
- Dashami (2nd October) – Sindoor Khela and visarjan (immersion of idols).
If you are traveling to Rajasthan during these dates, you will get to see not just rituals but also cultural evenings with music, dance and food.
Top Cities to Experience Durga Puja in Rajasthan
Durga puja celebration in Jaipur
Jaipur, known as the Pink City, has some of the biggest Durga Puja celebrations in Rajasthan. Every year, the Raja Park Puja Committee and Bani Park pandals draw thousands of visitors. The idols are beautifully decorated in a Bengali style, and the pandals usually have Kolkata themed decoration.
Highlights:
- Dhunuchi naach (traditional dance with incense).
- Cultural programs featuring Rabindra Sangeet, drama, and dance.
- Food stalls serving authentic Bengali dishes like luchi-aloo dum, puchka, and mishti.
Durga puja celebration in Udaipur
What makes Udaipur a delight to visit during Durga Puja is the overall environment of scenic beauty. The pandals that are set up along the lakes create a sense of magic, inviting visitors. Bengali associations organize pujas in the classic style, which features traditional bhog (khichuri, labra, chutney, sweets, etc.).
Highlights:
- Bhog prasad served every day to devotees and visitors.
- Pujas with a lake-view backdrop.
- Evening cultural events with fusion of Rajasthani and Bengali music.
Durga puja in Jodhpur
While Durga Puja festivities in Jodhpur may not be as grand as in Jaipur, they are still lively and rooted in the local context. Bengali communities here still have dhakis (drummers) and small cultural events.
Highlights:
- Traditional idol immersion processions.
- Unique mix of Rajasthani folk performances with Bengali traditions.
- Smaller crowds, making it perfect for travelers seeking an intimate experience.
Kota – Festive Nights and Cultural Programs
Kota has a few Bengali associations that hold huge Durga Puja pandals. Evenings are lively with plays, recitations, and dance competitions. Some of the events even have fusion nights, with garba and dandiya combined, creating a beautiful Navratri-Durga Puja experience.
Highlights:
- Large-scale pandals with intricate decorations.
- Lively evenings full of cultural programs.
- Shopping streets buzzing with festive energy.
Bikaner & Alwar – Offbeat Celebrations
If you are looking for less crowded options, Bikaner and Alwar will also have community pujas which, while smaller, instill the culture of Bengali traditions with Rajasthani hospitality. These would be great options for travelers looking for less common festive offerings!
Top 7 Durga Puja Pandals in Rajasthan You Must Visit in 2025
If you find yourself in Rajasthan during Durga Puja, a must-do experience is to go pandal hopping. While the festival is celebrated across multiple cities, Jaipur is the most prominent. Here are seven pandals that are sure to give you a special experience celebrating the holiday in 2025:
Probasi Bengali Cultural Society, Jai Club (Jaipur)
The Probasi Bengali Cultural Society holds one of the most popular pujas in Jaipur. The Jai Club pandal hosts true pujas and bright decorations, and it serves bhog that draws hundreds of devotees twice a day. If you are seeking the closest feeling you can find to Kolkata in Rajasthan, this is a place to visit.
Durga Bari, Bani Park (Jaipur)
Durga Bari at Bani Park hosts one of the oldest Durga Puja celebrations in Rajasthan and has kept this tradition alive for many generations. It blends spiritual grounding with community involvement and offers evenings of cultural enrichment, including dance, music, and theatre.
Jaipur Kalibari, Malviya Nagar
This pandal is where devotion meets cultural artistry. Visitors can enjoy soulful rituals in the morning and cultural performances at night. The small yet vibrant setup makes it a favorite for those who like intimate gatherings.
SDM Park Pandal, Tilak Nagar (Jaipur)
Famous for its innovative theme and artistic decorations, this pandal draws a large crowd every year. From traditional idol decorations to a pandal influenced by modern art, the SDM Park celebration is always a surprise package.
Murlipura Community Pandal (Jaipur)
Still growing in scale but gaining fast popularity, the Murlipura pandal stands out for its innovative setups and inclusive spirit. Families from across Jaipur come together here, making it a lively place for both rituals and festive fun.
Raja Park Pandal Area (Jaipur)
Raja Park transforms into a mini Kolkata during Durga Puja. Pandal hopping on foot is ideal given the multiple pandals, street food stalls, and festive markets. If you want to see the excitement of Puja nights in Jaipur, visit Raja Park.
Vaishali Nagar Pandal (Jaipur)
With bright lights and the excitement of community spirit, the Vaishali Nagar pandal is highly recommended for families. In the evenings, lively with dhunuchi dance, bhog distribution, and lots of cultural performances, the pandal is the center for all things festive.
Cultural Fusion: Bengali Traditions Meets Rajasthani Heritage
One of the best things about Durga Puja in Rajasthan is the cultural mix.
- Dance: Dhunuchi naach of Bengal has its equivalent in Rajasthan’s ghoomar. Sometimes you may even see both in the same pandal.
- Food: Bengalis serve sweets like rasgulla, sandesh and mishti doi, while Rajasthan adds its own flavors with ghevar, malpua and dal baati churma.
- Decoration: Pandal themes often have Rajasthani art work like mirror work, miniature paintings and traditional fabric designs.
This is what makes Durga Puja in Rajasthan a treat for culture vultures.
Food to Try During Durga Puja in Rajasthan
Festivals are incomplete without food and Durga Puja in Rajasthan is a food fest.
- Bhog Prasad: Traditional khichuri with labra (mixed vegetables), chutney and sweets.
- Bengali Snacks: Puchka, kathi rolls and mishti.
- Rajasthani Delicacies: Ghevar, dal baati churma, kachori and jalebi.
- Street Food: In Jaipur and Kota, streets near pandals are lit up with stalls serving chaats, momos and festive drinks.
For foodies visiting a pandal in Rajasthan during Durga Puja is as much about the food as it is about the rituals.
Travel Guide for Durga Puja 2025 in Rajasthan
Best Time to Visit:
Plan your trip between September 28 and October 2, 2025, to cover the main days of Durga Puja.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Jaipur International Airport, Udaipur Maharana Pratap Airport, and Jodhpur Airport.
- By Train: Jaipur, Kota, Udaipur, and Jodhpur are well connected to major cities.
- By Road: Rajasthan’s cities are connected by highways, making road trips convenient.
Where to Stay:
- Jaipur: Hotels in Raja Park or Bani Park for easy pandal access.
- Udaipur: Lake-facing heritage hotels.
- Jodhpur: Budget hotels near the old city.
- Kota: Mid-range hotels close to community centers.
Travel Tips:
- Carry comfortable footwear for pandal hopping.
- Book hotels in advance as October is tourist season.
- Explore local bazaars like Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar in Jaipur for festive shopping.
Conclusion
Rajasthan Durga Puja 2025 is not just about rituals; its a mix of devotion, culture, food and travel. From the big pandals of Jaipur to the beautiful celebrations of Udaipur and the royal charm of Jodhpur, every city has something unique. The Bengali traditions blended with Rajasthani culture makes it a one of a kind experience.
So if you are planning a festive trip in October 2025, Rajasthan should be on your list. Pack your bags, get ready for pandal hopping, taste the best of festive food and get immersed in the divine Durga Puja celebrations in the land of Kings.
FAQs
People will celebrate Durga Puja from Sunday, 28 September 2025, to Thursday, 2 October 2025. The festival begins with Mahalaya on Sunday, 21 September 2025.
Jaipur is the hub of Durga Puja celebrations in Rajasthan, with big pandals in Raja Park and Bani Park.
While not as massive as Kolkata, Durga Puja in Rajasthan combines Bengali rituals with Rajasthani culture, creating a unique festive experience.
You can enjoy bhog (khichuri, labra, sweets), Bengali snacks (puchka, rolls, mishti), and Rajasthani treats (ghevar, dal baati, kachori).
Yes, Durga Puja in Rajasthan is community-driven, and tourists are always welcome to join the rituals, enjoy cultural events, and taste bhog.