Published on Oct 5, 2021Updated on Oct 7, 2026
The biggest season on the Indian festive calendar is upon us! How to celebrate Dussehra, Durga Puja, or Navratri with the same fervour that we used to before the Covid-19 pandemic?
Needless to say, the pandemic has caused a dent in the enthusiasm of travellers and merrymakers who were looking forward to this time of the year in earnest. We are now faced with government restrictions on dandiya nights and pandal-hopping severely limiting our movement.
How to celebrate Dussehra festival without compromising our health and safety? Continue reading for a few tips
Vaccines are now widely available across public and private health institutions. Ensure that you and your loved ones follow the latest protocols for vaccination.
One of the biggest consequences of the pandemic was that the common tradition of visiting pandals and large gatherings during Dussehra was completely banned. Moreover, most of us were forced to spend it alone at home without even being able to meet family and close friends. This year, while it is of course safer to stay at home, the recent guidelines from the government are more relaxed, thereby allowing us to visit family and friends in controlled situations. If you do so, please ensure that you follow the social distancing protocols and that you and your loved ones are wearing face masks.
While exchanging pleasantries, go traditional this year! Use the Indian “Namaste” during greetings.
Refrain from visiting crowded places, especially if your immediate family includes non-vaccinated / vulnerable members. .
If a well-known spa is open in your area and is taking necessary precautions, you can book a few sessions for your family members and you a couple of days before Dussehra. Thus all of you would feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
Must Read: 10 Best Diwali Gift Ideas for Family & Friends
For some festive fun, your loved ones and you could dress-up in traditional attire and engage in amateur photo sessions using a good camera. Apart from having a wonderful time, the pictures would also help make excellent memories that you would cherish for a lifetime.
Dussehra symbolises the victory of light over darkness. This year, you could focus on lighting lamps and illuminating your home. You can order beautiful lamps either from e-commerce marketplaces or from a seller of your choice. You may also want to consider lighting up traditional brass lamps which can enhance the beauty of this auspicious evening.
Have been homebound for a long time? How about whisking your family away for a well-deserved holiday during Dussehra?
Several hotels have opened up and are taking the best possible precautions. You could read reviews, watch videos by vloggers and select a hotel in the outskirts of the city or a few hours away from your place. You may also wish to consider a resort or a homestay to enjoy with your family.
Since staying at home is definitely the safer option, why not invest in making your home more exciting this festive season? You could explore renovating your home with new appliances and better furniture. You can also think of improving the interiors by making some design changes.
Must Read: 10 Home Renovation Ideas to Light Up Home This Diwali
You can also use this festive season to invest in yourself. Last year, many people reinvented themselves during the pandemic by engaging in indoor hobbies such as cooking, painting, video editing, blogging, photography, and more. If you or your loved ones belong to this category, it is high time that you reward yourself (or your loved ones) with better equipment to take such talents to a whole new level. For instance, you could invest in a whole new cooking range so as to take your cooking skills to the next level, or a brand new laptop with the desired features.
Looking to visit the market for some festive shopping? How about some CFL bulbs to light up your home? You can check out the offers made by online sellers as well as your local shops to make an informed choice.
If you are looking for something different this year - consider DIY decoration kits! They are safe and can be easily customised. You can also have them home delivered. They check all the boxes when it comes to making your home visually appealing during Dussehra without compromising on health and safety issues.
How about celebrating Dussehra with your loved ones? No pandal hopping, no festival extravaganza or paraphernalia, just some quality time with your dearest family members!
Enjoy a delicious spread of the choicest festival delicacies with your loved ones. No noisy firecrackers, loud music, cumbersome face masks, or sanitisers. You could also ask a senior member of your family to share the story of our epics with the children in your family.
Last but not least, do not forget that the threat posed by the pandemic is still around. In this new normal, do not neglect any signs of an on-setting infection, however mild they may be. During the festive season, we often let our guards down. Throwing caution to the wind, we expose ourselves to the whims of nature and become vulnerable to viruses. The Covid-19 pandemic amidst Dussehra celebrations, poses a threat to the most joyous season of the year. Thankfully, by following just a handful of safety tips, we can protect our loved ones and also enjoy ourselves.
Looking for a personal loan or a travel loan this festive season? Visit the SMFG India Credit website today. Use our personal loan eligibility calculator to plan your loans better.
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