Festivals like Navratri and Durga Puja are not just celebrations of faith and culture, they’re also spectacular opportunities for photography. With vibrant pandals, grand immersions, and Garba nights, the energy of these festivals shines even brighter from above. Drone photography adds a fresh perspective — capturing the scale, symmetry, and vibrancy of the crowds and decorations.
If you’re planning to capture Navratri and Durga Puja 2025 with a drone, here are some of the best spots across India where aerial shots can truly stand out.
1. Kolkata – Durga Puja Pandals and Immersions
Kolkata’s Durga Puja is a UNESCO-recognised cultural festival, and from a drone’s eye, the city becomes a sea of lights and colours.
- Best Shots: Theme pandals in North & South Kolkata, immersion processions along the Hooghly River, and iconic pandals like Kumartuli and College Square.
- Tip: Early mornings and evenings give the best golden-hour lighting for aerial photography.
2. Ahmedabad – Navratri Garba Grounds
Known as the Garba capital of India, Ahmedabad hosts thousands dancing in unison.
- Best Shots: The GMDC ground and other massive Garba venues where drone shots can capture circular dance formations.
- Tip: Fly high enough to capture the symmetry but avoid flying over dancers directly for safety.
3. Vadodara – United Way of Baroda Garba Nights
This is one of the largest Garba gatherings in the world.
- Best Shots: Overhead shots of 30,000+ people dancing in synchronisation.
- Tip: Capture wide shots at night when lights, costumes, and movements blend into mesmerising patterns.
4. Mumbai – Iconic Pandals and Girgaon Chowpatty Immersions
Mumbai brings a Bollywood-style glamour to Navratri and Durga Puja.
- Best Shots: Lalbaugcha Raja pandal (from outside aerial views), Girgaon Chowpatty during idol immersions, and late-night Garba events.
- Tip: Check local drone restrictions near crowded pandals. Beaches give more open space for safe aerial captures.
5. Delhi – CR Park and Major Pandal Hubs
Delhi’s CR Park Durga Puja pandals recreate the grandeur of Kolkata.
- Best Shots: Aerial shots of multiple pandals in one neighbourhood, capturing how they light up the colony.
- Tip: Evening shots with decorative lights give a magical effect.
6. Udaipur – Lakeside Garba Nights
The City of Lakes turns into a glowing celebration spot during Navratri.
- Best Shots: Lakeside Garba dances reflecting in the water, City Palace in the backdrop.
- Tip: Drones are great for wide shots of water reflections and illuminated palaces.
7. Bhubaneswar – Durga Puja and Lingaraj Temple Backdrop
Bhubaneswar mixes temple heritage with Durga Puja celebrations.
- Best Shots: Drone shots of decorated pandals against the skyline of heritage temples.
- Tip: Fly at sunset to combine golden light with temple silhouettes.
8. Siliguri – Foothills of the Himalayas During Puja
A quieter yet beautiful place to capture Durga Puja.
- Best Shots: Pandals with Himalayan backdrops and immersion processions by the river Teesta.
- Tip: Drones can capture sweeping landscapes, giving context to the celebration.
Safety and Permissions
- Always check DGCA drone flying rules in India before planning festival shoots.
- Avoid flying over dense crowds directly for safety reasons.
- Use drones in open areas like river ghats, lakesides, and beaches for wider coverage.
Conclusion
Navratri and Durga Puja 2025 are festivals where faith meets visual grandeur. Aerial drone photography can capture this scale in ways ground cameras cannot. From the garba circles of Gujarat to the river immersions of Kolkata and Mumbai, each location offers a unique frame waiting to be shot.
👉 If you’re planning to explore more, check our detailed guides on Navratri in Ahmedabad 2025, Durga Puja in Delhi 2025, and Navratri in Udaipur 2025.
