Most of India burns an effigy of Ravana on Dussehra. Bastar does something else entirely. In Jagdalpur, the festival runs for about 75 days, centres on Goddess Danteshwari and ends with a giant wooden chariot being "stolen" in the dark.
The 2026 edition began with Pat Jatra on 12 August. The biggest ceremonies fall between 18 and 22 October, with Vijayadashami on Tuesday, 20 October. This guide covers the schedule, the rituals and the easiest way to reach Jagdalpur.
Bastar Dussehra 2026 Dates and Ritual Schedule
Ritual dates follow the lunar calendar, and published sources differ by a day for some events. Confirm final timings with the Bastar district administration before locking in travel plans.
| Ritual | Approx. Date | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Pat Jatra | 12 Aug | Sal timber is worshipped on Hareli Amavasya. The festival officially begins. |
| Deri Gadai | Late Sept | Posts for the chariot frame are ritually installed. |
| Kachhan Gadi, Kalsa Sthapana | 10–11 Oct | The goddess is invoked and the sacred kalash is installed. |
| Jogi Bithai | 12 Oct | A Jogi begins a nine-day penance seated in a pit. |
| Rath Parikrama | 13–18 Oct | The wooden chariot is pulled around Jagdalpur each evening. |
| Nisha Jatra | 18–19 Oct | A midnight procession on Ashtami night. |
| Bhitar Raini | Around 20 Oct | The eight-wheeled chariot circles the Mawli temple. |
| Bahar Raini | Around 21 Oct | The chariot is taken away in the dark and hidden at Kumdakot. |
| Muria Darbar | Around 22–23 Oct | Tribal leaders present local concerns to officials. |
| Deity Farewell (Vidai) | Around 27 Oct | Visiting deities return to their villages. |
What Makes Bastar Dussehra Different from Any Other Dussehra
There is no Ram Leela here and no Ravana effigy. The festival honours Danteshwari, the tutelary goddess of the Bastar region, and the tribal communities who have kept it going for roughly 600 years. Local tradition links the chariot rites to Maharaja Purushottam Dev in the 15th century.
Every year, carpenters from Bhatra, Muria and other communities build the chariot by hand from sal wood. Villagers then carry deities from across the district to Jagdalpur, some on foot for days. The result is part temple ritual, part open-air gathering of Bastar's tribal communities.
Rituals Worth Planning Your Days Around
Rath Parikrama: the evening chariot pull
From 13 October, hundreds of villagers pull the chariot through the old town near Sirasar Chowk and the Bastar Palace. Evenings are the best time to watch.
Nisha Jatra and Bhitar Raini
Nisha Jatra is a midnight procession to a small shrine that opens only once a year. Bhitar Raini follows, when the larger eight-wheeled chariot circles the Mawli temple. Some parts are restricted, so watch from where the organisers direct visitors.
Bahar Raini and Muria Darbar
On Bahar Raini, villagers carry the chariot away at night and hide it near Kumdakot, about 3 km from town. Muria Darbar then brings tribal leaders together with officials.
How to Reach Jagdalpur by Road, Train and Air
Jagdalpur is the main town in Bastar district, way down in southern Chhattisgarh. It's pretty far from the capital city, so how you get there actually matters.
- By road: You can drive from Raipur, about 300 km away. That usually takes 6 to 7 hours on NH30, passing through places like Dhamtari, Kanker, and Kondagaon. If you're coming from Visakhapatnam, it's more like 7 to 8 hours through Araku and Koraput
- By train: Jagdalpur is on the Visakhapatnam-Kirandul line. Trains aren't super frequent and tend to fill up fast.
- By air: Maa Danteshwari Airport is also an option, but it doesn't get many flights. You'll want to check the schedule, especially if you're traveling around October when seats can be really scarce.
Because of all this, most people coming from Raipur or Visakhapatnam just grab a private cab. It means you can get going early and finish the drive before it gets dark.
Raipur to Jagdalpur Taxi: One-Way and Round-Trip Cab Booking
CabBazar does airport transfers and outstation cabs to Jagdalpur from Raipur, Visakhapatnam, and other spots nearby. What you book basically depends on what you're planning:
- One-way taxi: CabBazar does airport transfers and outstation cabs to Jagdalpur from Raipur, Visakhapatnam, and other spots nearby. What you book basically depends on what you're planning.
- Round-trip taxi: For a longer trip, like a 3 to 4 day festival visit, a round-trip taxi is better. The same car and driver stick with you for the whole time, including tours to surrounding areas like Chitrakote, and then the drive home.
- Local sightseeing cab: We also have local cabs for visiting waterfalls, caves, and temples around town for a day.
CabBazar's prices are pretty upfront. They include tolls, driver's pay, and taxes, and they show you the total before you commit. Whatever you agree on is what you'll pay.
Three easy ways to book
- WhatsApp: You can just send a message on WhatsApp with your pickup city, dates, and how many people are going. They'll confirm right there.
- Mobile app: Use the CabBazar app for app-only deals, easy rebooking, and live tracking.
Things get really busy around October 17th to 23rd. For the best choice of cars and departure times for a Jagdalpur taxi, book ahead.
Get Jagdalpur Cab Fare on WhatsAppBest Places Near Jagdalpur to Pair with the Festival
- Chitrakote Falls is a cool spot nearby, about 38 km away. People call it the Niagara of India, and it's massive and roaring right after the monsoon.
- Tirathgarh Falls is also nice, a tiered cascade good for a quick morning trip, just 35 km out.
- Kanger Valley National Park is about 27 km away, and it has the Kutumsar and Kailash caves. Make sure the park is open after the monsoon before you head out.
- Danteshwari Temple in Dantewada is about 85 km away. It's the spiritual home of the goddess the festival centers on. You could even go a bit further to Barsur, which has some old temples from the Chalukyan era.
Where to Stay, What to Eat and What to Buy
Jagdalpur hotels book solid weeks before Vijayadashami. Rooms near Sirasar Chowk are the first to go. You should try the bamboo shoot curries, mahua-based sweets, and chapda chutney - that tangy red ant chutney they eat all over Bastar. You can buy Dhokra brass, iron, wood, and terracotta stuff at the weekly markets.
Practical Tips for Festival Week
- Get to Jagdalpur a day before the main events. They close the roads near the palace to cars at night.
- Stick to the main roads when it's still light. Local drivers really know the road conditions best.
- Always ask permission before taking photos of people or events. Avoid restricted area.
Ready to head there? Message CabBazar on WhatsApp at +91 9258722629 or use the app to book a Jagdalpur taxi for the festival.
Bastar Dussehra 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is Bastar Dussehra 2026?
This theme continued from 12 August 2026 to about 75 days. There is the main phase of 18 to 22 October, and Vijayadashami is on 20 October.
How far is Raipur to Jagdalpur?
The private cab is the best travel option. The drive duration is 6 to 7 hours, and a single way as well as round trip ride can be booked on WhatsApp or app with Cab Bazar.
What's More: One-Way Taxi or Round Trip?
A drop for one-way travel is charged for the straight line distance, and is often fine for customers who are not on a return journey to the initial destination. The round trip is more appropriate where the same vehicle is required for the entire period.
Are tourists safe during the festival in Jagdalpur?
Jagdalpur and the main tourist routes on Dussehra has additional police around. During Dussehra, avoid traveling at night and stick to the highways and use local guidance.
