10 Best Places Near Delhi to Visit This Navratri Weekend
Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, 20 September to Tuesday, 29 September, with Dussehra falling on Wednesday, 30 September — which puts two full weekends (20–21 and 26–27 September) inside the nine-night festival window. Whether you're looking to do proper Devi darshan at one of the Shakti Peeths within reach of Delhi, or you'd rather spend the weekend at a resort hosting Garba and Dandiya nights, this list covers both — 10 destinations near Delhi worth building a Navratri weekend around.
Note: Hindu festival dates follow the lunisolar calendar and can occasionally shift by a day depending on regional calculations — it's worth a quick check closer to the date if your plans hinge on a specific day.
Shakti Peeth Temples & Devi Darshan Near Delhi
Navratri is, at its core, a festival for the goddess — and several of the most significant Shakti Peeths (sites where, according to legend, parts of Sati's body fell) sit within a reasonable driving or overnight-train distance of Delhi. These see their heaviest crowds of the year during this exact window, so plan for queues and, ideally, an early-morning or late-evening darshan slot.
1. Mata Vaishno Devi, Jammu & Kashmir
Distance: ~600 km (best reached by overnight train to Katra, or a longer road trip) | Best for: A proper pilgrimage trip, not a quick weekend dash
One of India's most visited pilgrimage sites, and unmatched for sheer devotional energy during Navratri. This is more of an extended-weekend or long-leave trip than a quick 2-day dash given the distance, but it's worth including for anyone with a few extra days around the Dussehra long weekend specifically.
2. Chintpurni Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Distance: ~340 km | Best for: A meaningful pilgrimage within a manageable weekend distance
One of the 51 Shakti Peeths, set in the Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh. Navratri sees the temple town come alive with a proper mela (fair) atmosphere alongside the religious significance — expect it busy, but manageable as a weekend trip from Delhi.
3. Naina Devi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Distance: ~350 km | Best for: Combining darshan with scenic hill views
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Gobind Sagar reservoir, Naina Devi is another of the significant Shakti Peeths and a popular Navratri pilgrimage stop, with the added draw of genuinely good views for a destination that's primarily about the temple visit.
4. Jwalamukhi Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Distance: ~430 km | Best for: Pairing with Chintpurni or Naina Devi on a longer circuit
Known as the "temple of the flaming mouth" for its natural gas flame that burns continuously at the sanctum, Jwalamukhi is often combined with Chintpurni and Naina Devi into a single Himachal Shakti Peeth circuit if you have 3–4 days rather than just a weekend.
5. Mansa Devi Temple, Haridwar/Panchkula
Distance: ~220 km (Haridwar) | Best for: A shorter pilgrimage trip, combinable with Rishikesh
Closer to Delhi than the Himachal temples, Mansa Devi in Haridwar is genuinely doable as a single-day or overnight trip, and pairs naturally with a Ganga aarti visit at Har Ki Pauri, which takes on a particularly festive atmosphere during Navratri evenings.
6. Bhadrakali Temple, Kurukshetra
Distance: ~160 km | Best for: The closest Shakti Peeth option to Delhi
One of the Shakti Peeths and the closest on this list, making it realistic even as a single-day Navratri visit rather than requiring an overnight stay — a good option if your weekend is genuinely tight on time.
Festive Weekend Getaways for Garba & Dandiya
Not every Navratri weekend needs to be pilgrimage-focused. A growing number of resorts and hotels within a few hours of Delhi now host dedicated Garba and Dandiya nights during the festival — worth considering if you're after the celebratory side of Navratri rather than temple darshan specifically.
7. Neemrana
Distance: ~120 km | Best for: A heritage-resort Navratri weekend
Several of Neemrana's heritage fort-resorts run festive-season Garba and Dandiya evenings during Navratri, making it an easy, close weekend option that combines the celebration with a genuinely atmospheric heritage-property stay.
8. Rishikesh
Distance: ~230 km | Best for: Combining spirituality with a lively evening scene
The Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat takes on extra energy during Navratri, and Rishikesh's riverside resorts and cafés offer a way to mix the festival's devotional side with the town's usual adventure and café culture during the day.
9. Alwar & Sariska
Distance: ~160 km | Best for: A wildlife-and-culture combination weekend
Sariska Tiger Reserve pairs well with a Navratri weekend if you want to break up temple visits or festive evenings with a daytime safari — Alwar's forts and the reserve's proximity make this a genuinely different kind of Navratri trip.
10. Kasauli
Distance: ~280 km | Best for: A quiet escape from festival crowds
If the idea of Navratri crowds at temples or resort Garba nights sounds like the opposite of what you want, Kasauli offers a genuinely quiet hill-town alternative — pine forests, colonial-era charm, and noticeably fewer crowds than the more festival-associated destinations on this list.
Planning Around the Navratri Weekends
With Navratri running 20–29 September, two weekends fall within the festival:
- 20–21 September (Weekend 1): Early in the festival, generally less crowded at temples than the final days, and a good window if darshan is your priority.
- 26–27 September (Weekend 2): Closer to Ashtami and Navami (the most significant days, falling around 28–29 September), so expect the heaviest crowds at any of the Shakti Peeth destinations if you travel this weekend.
If your schedule allows extending into the Dussehra long weekend around 30 September, that's the better window for a longer pilgrimage trip like Vaishno Devi, since you're not squeezing a longer journey into just two days.
Tips for Visiting Temples During Navratri
- Go early morning or late evening for darshan — midday queues at popular Shakti Peeths during Navratri can run into hours.
- Book accommodation well in advance — rooms near major temples fill up fast during the festival window, often at a premium over normal rates.
- Carry cash in small denominations for prasad, donations, and local vendors, since card acceptance is inconsistent at smaller pilgrimage towns.
- Dress modestly and be prepared for significant walking, as several of these temples involve either hill climbs or long queue lines.
- Check specific darshan timings for your chosen temple closer to the date, as many extend hours specifically during Navratri to manage the higher footfall.
Navratri Weekend Trip Budget (For Two People)
|
Trip Type |
Distance |
Approx. Cost (2 people, 2D/1N) |
|
Kurukshetra (Bhadrakali) |
160 km |
₹4,000 – ₹7,000 |
|
Neemrana (Garba resort) |
120 km |
₹8,000 – ₹15,000 |
|
Haridwar (Mansa Devi) |
220 km |
₹6,000 – ₹10,000 |
|
Chintpurni/Naina Devi (HP) |
340–350 km |
₹9,000 – ₹15,000 |
|
Vaishno Devi (extended trip) |
600 km |
₹18,000 – ₹28,000 (3D/2N) |
*Costs assume a mix of budget-to-mid-range stays, shared or private transport, and standard meals — festival-period pricing at popular pilgrimage towns can run higher than these ranges, so book early.
FAQs: Navratri Weekend Trips Near Delhi
1. When is Navratri in 2026?
Sharad Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, 20 September to Tuesday, 29 September, with Dussehra on Wednesday, 30 September. This puts the weekends of 20–21 and 26–27 September inside the festival.
2. Which Shakti Peeth is closest to Delhi?
The Bhadrakali Temple in Kurukshetra, at roughly 160 km, is the closest Shakti Peeth to Delhi, making it realistic even for a single-day Navratri visit.
3. Is Vaishno Devi doable in a single weekend from Delhi?
It's tight — at roughly 600 km with a pilgrimage trek involved, Vaishno Devi is better suited to an extended weekend, ideally around the Dussehra long weekend, than a standard 2-day trip.
4. Which weekend during Navratri is less crowded?
The first weekend (20–21 September) is generally quieter than the second (26–27 September), which falls closer to Ashtami and Navami — the festival's most significant and heavily attended days.
5. Are there places near Delhi with Garba and Dandiya events during Navratri?
Yes — several heritage resorts in Neemrana and hotels in destinations like Rishikesh host dedicated Garba and Dandiya nights during the festival, offering a celebratory alternative to a purely pilgrimage-focused trip.
6. Can Sukhnir Sai Travels help plan a Navratri weekend trip?
Yes — whether you want a pilgrimage-focused Shakti Peeth trip or a festive Garba weekend getaway, we can arrange stays and transport that account for the higher demand during the Navratri window.
Book Your Navratri Weekend Now
With two weekends falling inside Navratri this year, popular stays near temples and Garba resorts tend to fill up fast — the earlier you book, the better your options.
