What to Buy for a Dussehra Celebration

A Dussehra celebration needs more than food and decorations. Plan separate supplies for the puja, shared meals, guest registration, seating and the Ravan display so one missing item does not delay the programme. Start with shelf-stable food, tableware and equipment, then buy fresh groceries close to the event. Your final guest count determines how many plates, cups, chairs, portions and name badges you need.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
High tablesqty 4
Buffet tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 70
Puja table
Registration desk

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Bowlsqty 80
Drinking glassesqty 100
Cupsqty 70
Teaspoonsqty 80
Tablespoonsqty 80
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 20

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Wireless microphone
Speakersqty 2
Music player

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knifeqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 3
Aluminum foilqty 3
Cling filmqty 3

Decorations

Marigold garlandsqty 12
Rangoli powderqty 8
Colorful clothsqty 10
LED tea lightsqty 60
Paper lanternsqty 12
Balloonsqty 100
Ropeqty 3
Ravan figure
Name badgesqty 80
Tableclothsqty 12
Directional signsqty 6

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 8
Batteriesqty 24
Flashlightsqty 4

Puja

Puja thaliqty 2
Diya holdersqty 12
Copper kalash
Puja clothsqty 3
God statuesqty 2
Kumkum bowlsqty 4
Incense holdersqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Broom and dustpanqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Basmati rice - 5 kg
- Wheat flour - 5 kg
- Chickpeas - 3 kg
- Red lentils - 2 kg
- Potatoes - 8 kg
- Onions - 5 kg
- Tomatoes - 6 kg
- Cucumbers - 4 kg
- Carrots - 3 kg
- Cauliflower - 4 pieces
- Bell peppers - 3 kg
- Green beans - 3 kg
- Spinach - 2 kg
- Peas - 2 kg
- Mushrooms - 2 kg
- Garlic - 500 grams
- Ginger - 500 grams
- Green peppers - 250 grams
- Coriander - 10 bunches
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Lemons - 30 pieces
- Limes - 20 pieces
- Yogurt - 5 liters
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Paneer - 4 kg
- Unsalted butter - 1 kg
- Ghee - 2 liter
- Sunflower oil - 5 liter
- Salt - 2 kg
- Sugar - 3 kg
- Cumin seeds - 250 gram
- Coriander powder - 250 grams
- Cumin powder - 250 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Garam masala - 500 grams
- Chili powder - 250 grams
- Cardamom - 100 gram
- Cinnamon sticks - 100 gram
- Cloves - 100 grams
- Bay leaves - 100 gram
- Yeast - 250 grams
- Baking powder - 250 grams
- Tomato passata - 8 liters
- Chickpea flour - 2 kg
- Breadcrumbs - 2 kg
- Samosas - 100 pieces
- Papadums - 100 pieces
- Naan bread - 70 pieces
- Mango chutney - 4 jars
- Tamarind chutney - 4 jars
- Mint chutney - 3 liters
- Mango pickle - 3 jars
- Basmati seviyan - 1 kg
- Raisins - 1 kg
- Cashews - 1 kg
- Almonds - 1 kg
- Pistachios - 500 grams
- Desiccated coconut - 500 grams
- Cardamom powder - 100 gram
- Milk - 12 liters
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Chai mix - 2 kg
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 8 bottles
- Mango juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 10 liters
- Sparkling water - 10 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 kg
- Apples - 6 kg
- Grapes - 5 kg
- Bananas - 5 kg
- Oranges - 5 kg
- Dates - 2 kg
- Laddu - 100 pieces
- Jalebi - 3 kg
- Gulab jamun - 100 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 5 kg
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper Plates - 100 pieces
- Paper cups - 150 pieces
- Wooden stirring sticks - 150 pieces
- Coffee filters - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 60 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 4 rolls
- Paper food trays - 100 pieces
- Carry bags - 100 pieces
- Cotton wicks - 100 pieces
- Sesame oil - 500 milliliter
- Mustard seeds - 250 grams
- Asafoetida - 100 gram
- Saffron - 5 grams
- Rose water - 500 milliliters
- Honey - 1 jar
- Coconut water - 6 liters
- Flowers for puja - 20 bouquets
- Coconuts - 12 pieces
- Banana leaves - 30 pieces
- Rice for puja - 1 kg
- Kumkum - 2 jars
- Haldi - 2 jars
- Incense sticks - 4 boxes
- Sandalwood paste - 2 jars
- Cotton thread - 4 rolls
- Red powder paint - 2 kg
- Yellow powder paint - 2 kg

Tips

Set quantities from the final registration list: prepare one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one bowl, one cup and one drinking glass per guest, plus about 10% extra for breakage and unexpected arrivals.
Buy shelf-stable food, drinks and serving supplies at least 7 days ahead. Leave fresh groceries for the final 1–2 days so meals, snacks and garnishes are in good condition.
Keep puja supplies separate from catering equipment and check them at least 3 days before the celebration. A dedicated puja table and clearly labelled containers prevent items from disappearing into the food-preparation area.
For an outdoor programme, arrange tents, coolers and food warmers before delivery day, and test every extension cord and power strip at least 24 hours in advance.
Prepare name badges, the allergen list and registration materials 1 day before guests arrive. Keep a few blank badges and pens at the registration desk for walk-ins or spelling corrections.

Frequently asked questions

How much tableware do I need for a Dussehra celebration?: Use the confirmed guest count as your base and add 10% extra. For 100 guests, plan for about 110 dinner plates, dessert plates, bowls, cups and drinking glasses, with cutlery matched to the menu.
When should I buy groceries for Dussehra?: Buy shelf-stable products around 7 days before the event. Purchase fresh groceries 1–2 days beforehand, after checking the final registrations and dietary requirements.
What equipment is easy to forget for a Dussehra event?: Power strips, extension cords, serving spoons, food warmers and a wireless microphone are commonly missed. Check them 24 hours before setup and test sound and power at the venue.
How many chairs and tables should I prepare?: Provide one chair per seated guest, then add roughly 5% extra if space allows. Count buffet, registration, puja and high tables separately at least 3 days before the event so they do not compete for the same furniture.

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