From lights to colours, prayers to processions, Indian festivals in October offer something for everyone. As the monsoon recedes and the air turns crisp, the country gears up for one of the most festive periods of the year.The school cultural programmes in Kolkata celebrate creativity and teamwork ,meanwhile exhibitions and events inspire innovation and community spirit among the students. From north to south, east to west, every region brings its own unique flavour to the celebrations.While West Bengal celebrates Durga Puja with artistic tableaux of beautifully crafted idols, the recent theme-based pandals, Gujarat celebrates the same nine-day celebration of divine feminine power through Navratri. In Gujarat, the festival comes alive with Garba and Dandiya Raas — traditional folk dances performed in colorful attire.

Folklore

It is observed that on the tenth day, the entire country celebrates together, despite the customs, deities, and stories differing across regions. In eastern India, specifically in West Bengal, Vijayadashami marks the farewell of goddess Durga, where women take part in Sindur Khela. In North India, it is celebrated as Dussehra, with towering effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhakarna being burned, symbolizing the defeat of evil. Similarly, in southern India, particularly in Mysore, Dasara not only honours Goddess Chamundeshwari (a form of Durga) for defeating the demon but also includes the Mysore royal family praying to break an age-old curse. Folklore suggests that the curse is linked to the Wodeyar dynasty. Legend has it that Raja Wodeyar I, captured the queen of a rival kingdom named Alamelamma who leapt to her death and cursed the Mysore kings. This led to alleged barrenness in subsequent generations and turned the town of Talakadu into a desert. This deeply shocked Raja Wodeyar I, and ever since, her statue has been decorated with her jewels and she is invoked for forgiveness on this day. 

Spirit of Unity

Though customs differ and stories change from one region to another, the spirit that drives them remains the same, weaving a vibrant thread through India’s diverse cultural tapestry. What sets Birla High School Mukundapur apart from others is its emphasis on building future leaders with values and vision, where academic excellence blends seamlessly with ethnic inclusiveness.