Diwali is one of India‘s biggest festivals, and it serves as a tremendous unifier, as everyone gets into the festive atmosphere with religious rites, sweets, festivities, presents, and, of course, crackers. In India, Diwali (Dipawali) is regarded as the “festival of lights,” during which people light up their homes and structures and celebrate with crackers.
Diwali is a festival of lights that brings families together to celebrate life and the triumph of good over evil. Because Diwali is such a big deal in India, different cities celebrate it in different ways around the country, and everyone gets a big break during this time.
These are the best places to visit during Diwali which will offer you a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they welcome you to join them in celebrating Diwali,
1. Varanasi
Varanasi considered one of India’s holiest cities, celebrates Diwali on the banks of the holy Ganges! To commemorate the festival of lights, a steady stream of firecrackers and fireworks is let off. The ghats are lit up with a beautiful line of diya’s and candles, the Ganga aarti is held every evening, and Hindu deities participate in Diwali processions, among other things. Varanasi hosts a large Diwali festival, and it should absolutely be on your Diwali travel plan. In fact, if you want to see the processions, the glowing Ganges, and Diwali in its peak celebrations, you should stay at a riverside hotel in Varanasi.
2. Amritsar
Amritsar is also a wonderful spot to visit during the holy festival of Diwali. It is held in conjunction with Bandi Chhor Divas, a major Sikh celebration commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind Ji, the 6th Sikh Guru, from captivity. Special prayers or kirtans are held around the city, and the Golden Temple is particularly beautiful when illuminated. You can also appreciate the pleasant weather, the lovely sarson (mustard) fields, and the inhabitants’ contagious enthusiasm. Indulge in delectable regional fare that will have you licking your fingers in no time! Because Amritsar is such a popular tourist location, there are a variety of hotels to select from.
3. Ayodhya
When it comes to Diwali celebrations, Ayodhya becomes a great spot as it is Lord Ram’s birthplace and symbolizes the return of Lord Ram, his wife Sita, and brother Laxman to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. Over here, you may see genuine happiness and joy. In reality, about three lakh diya’s were lit, making the occasion a Guinness World Record. It is a four-day festival with a tremendous celebration. Women light diya’s and carry them to the river in a wonderful event. The city is exquisitely decked with colorful papers, lights, and other handcrafted ornaments. You’ll be amazed and delighted to be here to celebrate this special day.
4. Udaipur
Udaipur has been recognized as one of the best places to visit during Diwali. Udaipur surely counts as one of the finest spots to ring in the festival of lights, with floating lamps in the air and fireworks leaving quite a reflection on Lake Pichola. Udaipur Light Festival, which began in 2012, is another annual event in the city. The illuminated festival has performances by musicians from across the country, food stalls that light up the festival, and fun activities with paper lanterns that run throughout the festival days. It’s unquestionably designed to make your Diwali celebrations more enjoyable.
5. Jaipur
The Light Festival attracts people by bringing together the various markets of Jaipur to enjoy events such as ethnic exhibitions, performances, golf clubs, and polo competitions.
During Diwali, the fifth day of the five-day celebrations, markets are decked out in lights and remain open until late to allow shoppers to make their selections.
The royal Nahargarh Fort is a magnificent host to appeal, particularly after sunset, with its lovely light and glorious sight that it presents this lit-up underwater city throughout Diwali. That is unquestionably a place to see in Jaipur around Diwali.
6. Kolkata
During Diwali, the City of Joy lives up to its name. In Kolkata, Goddess Kali is revered, and you may see the Goddess’s offerings, which include meat, fish, flowers, and sweets. The city is illuminated by glittering diya’s, candles, and lamps, and there are spectacular fireworks on practically every street corner. You can also take a tour of the city’s famous Kali Puja pandals or pay a visit to the city’s most important religious temples, such as the Kalighat Temple and Dakshineswar Temple, where Goddess Kali is revered by tens of thousands of followers.
7. Madurai
Throughout Diwali, Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple can be a key tourist destination. The temple has been decorated to seem like a wedding, with delicately carved rangolis interwoven with flower arrangements. This long weekend entrance should include a shopping adventure around Vengala Kadai Street and South Masi Street in your fabric hunt. Wind down by sampling the outstanding regional restaurants of Jigarthanda and Muttai Parotta, as well as the agile Madurai-style dosas. This all-around trip is likely to provide you with a little holiday cheer in both your heart and your eyes. Book a Tamilnadu Temple Tour to see the temples at their most beautiful.
8. Goa
You may recognize Goa as the country’s party capital. However, the coastal state commemorates Diwali with the same zeal with which it commemorates Christmas! Lord Krishna’s victory over the monster Narakasura is the focus of Goa’s Diwali celebrations. Massive and terrifying effigies are created and eventually burned on Narakasura Chaturdashi, the day before Diwali. Following that, Goa’s cities are illuminated by Diwali celebrations, which include a variety of popular activities, including gambling. Floating casinos in Goa are packed during Diwali.
9. PUSHKAR
Pushkar, a religious town in Rajasthan’s heartland, is a wonderful blend of old-world elegance with divine intonation. The collection of bathing ghats leading back to the forests, bustling roadways, and an episodic soundtrack of rapping, drums, and gongs give the tourists a cryptic feeling. This tiny energetic city, about 11 kilometers from Ajmer, was thronged with a large group of hippies and foreign travelers. The biggest thing to see in Pushkar is the famed Camel Fair, which attracts around 50,000 camels and is one of the top places to visit in November, and is said to be one of the largest in Southeast Asia.
10. Delhi
When it comes to Diwali celebrations, the state capital can never go wrong. If you want to have a great day shopping in the streets of Delhi to update your home decor or clothes, the Diwali Bazaar has a lot to offer. Delhi adds a lot of brilliance to Diwali celebrations in the city, from fine handicrafts to their yearly Dastkar Festival of Lights Diwali Mela. Various Diwali mela’s and carnivals are conducted throughout the city, which you might attend throughout your stay. Furthermore, the luxurious hotel options in Delhi make for a really extravagant trip.
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