Dasara in Bengaluru

A Festive Heritage Walk Through Bengaluru’s Traditional Neighbourhood.

Discover the traditions of Dasara through the temples, homes and streets of Malleshwaram.

Dasara, or Navaratri, is one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals. Observed over nine nights and culminating in Vijayadashami, it is associated with the triumph of good over evil. Across the country, the festival takes many forms — from the worship of Goddess Durga in eastern India and the story of Rama and Ravana in the north to the spectacular royal celebrations of Mysuru Dasara in Karnataka.

In Bengaluru, however, the festival takes on a more intimate character. In traditional neighbourhoods such as Malleshwaram, families continue to celebrate through rituals, visits, festive food and the beautiful tradition of displaying dolls, known in Karnataka as Gombe Habba and as Golu in parts of South India.

The Unhurried Heritage Experience

Our 3-hour heritage walk in Malleshwaram begins at the historic Kadu Malleshwara Temple, an important landmark in the neighbourhood and a natural starting point to understand its history.

From here, we explore the streets of old Malleshwaram and discover how Navaratri is experienced within the community. We visit temples and homes to see Dasara doll displays, along with curated exhibitions that bring together dolls, figurines and scenes from mythology and everyday life.

Along the way, our heritage storytellers uncover the stories behind these customs — the significance of Navaratri, Goddess worship, the evolution of Gombe Habba and the ways in which families have kept these practices alive across generations.

The experience also offers a glimpse into the culinary side of the festival, with an opportunity to savour traditional festive sweets.

A Living Festival

What makes this experience special is the opportunity to encounter Dasara beyond grand processions and public celebrations.

Through Kadu Malleshwara Temple, neighbourhood streets, traditional homes and Gombe displays, we explore the festival as a living cultural tradition — one that continues to connect mythology and history with everyday life in Bengaluru.