Are you looking for places where you can celebrate Diwali in India? The festival of lights, Diwali, is celebrated by Hindus worldwide and is one of the most important festivals in India. It’s a time when families come together to celebrate, exchange gifts, and enjoy good food. If you’re planning to visit places in India during Diwali, here are 10 places you can join in the festivities. So without further ado, scroll down to learn more!
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of India’s most popular and eagerly awaited festivals. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and shows across the length and breadth of the country. It is a five-day festival which starts on Dhanteras and ends on Bhai Dooj. Additionally, this year Diwali celebrations stater on October 24 and will go on till October 26. Diwali’s main event is the lighting of diyas and candles all around the house, which signifies the triumph of good over evil.
Although there are many cultures in India, their ways of celebrating Diwali are also different. The way the festival is celebrated has a very strong cultural significance. Generally, Diwali is celebrated in homes with family and friends in India. However, there are also many places in India where the festival is celebrated with great gusto and enthusiasm. In this blog, we will tell you about the top 10 places to celebrates Diwali in India.
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Best Places To Celebrate Diwali
Though India is the land of festivals, and there is no dearth of occasions to celebrate, Diwali is special. The country undergoes a makeover during this time, with fairy lights, diyas and paper lanterns dotting every nook and cranny. Diwali is a yearly event normally celebrated at home, but you can find many public places in India where you can enjoy the festivities. Below are some of the best places to celebrate Diwali, whether you’re looking for stunning Diwali fireworks displays, traditional ceremonies or beautiful light decorations.
1. Udaipur
Also known as the City of Lakes, Udaipur is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. The city comes alive during Diwali, with several cultural programmes and exhibitions being held across various venues. A special lights Diwali Mela is also organised at the Manek Chowk, where you can find a range of stalls selling traditional handicrafts, clothes and food items. You can also witness a spectacular fireworks display at Lake Pichola during Diwali.
The entire city is decked up during this festival with lights and diyas, making it a sight to behold. In addition to the Udaipur light festival, the city also celebrates with a flying lantern during Diwali. Participants can enjoy live music from different artists while letting their paper lanterns fly. On the other hand, if you want to stay indoors, you can always enjoy a traditional Diwali feast at one of the many restaurants in Udaipur.
Tourist places to visit:
Lake Pichola, City Palace, Lake Palace, etc.
2. Varanasi
Diwali is celebrated with great pomp and show in Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Benaras. The ghats of the Ganges are decorated with lights and diyas, making for a spectacular sight. The festival is also an important occasion for the local residents as it’s considered auspicious to perform Ganga puja on this day. You can also find several food stalls selling traditional sweets and snacks along the ghats. The brilliantly decorated marketplaces are also worth a visit during this time.
The special Ganga Aarti is another highlight of Diwali celebrations in Varanasi. The aarti is performed by priests on the Dashashwamedh Ghat and is accompanied by the sound of conch shells and drums. Hundreds of diyas are also floated on the river, creating a truly magical experience. Varanasi has another Diwali vacation called Dev Deepavali, and Hindu deities are taken out in a procession on this day.
Tourist places to visit:
Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Assi Ghat, Dhamek Stupa, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Goddess kali temple etc.
4. Kolkata
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, is also known as the City of Joy. The city comes alive during Diwali with several pandals (temporary structures) being set up across different neighbourhoods. These pandals are decorated with lights and colourful Diwali rangolis and often feature life-size statues of Hindu deities. However, this cultural festival is not just about Hindus but is celebrated by people of all religions in Kolkata.
The main day of Diwali celebrations in Kolkata is dedicated to Kali, the goddess of destruction, while most of India worships Lakshmi on Diwali. During this festival, many devotees are drawn to the city’s temples devoted to Goddess Kali, such as Kalighat, Belur Math and Dakshineswar. The city comes alive with sparkling oil lamps, candles, string lights, and fireworks around every corner throughout Durga Pooja. When India celebrates Diwali, Kolkata definitely knows how to do it in style!
Tourist places to visit:
Dakshineshwar Temple, Shri Mahalaxmi Temple, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, etc.
5. Amritsar
The Diwali celebration in Amritsar is centred around the Golden Temple, which is considered one of the most sacred sites in Sikhism. The temple is decorated with lights and oil lamps, and the Gurudwara complex is a hive of activity as devotees come to pay their respects and offer prayers. The fun activities of Diwali in Amritsar include a traditional bhangra dance performance, a Diwali Mela (fair), and a fireworks display.
However, on this day, the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, imprisoned for his convictions alongside many other political prisoners that he subsequently aided in release, returns to this city. Bandi Chhor Divas marks the day when Sikhs decorate their temples and homes with lights, enjoy large feasts, give gifts to one another, and spend time with family. If you visit Amritsar during Diwali, you’re in for a treat!
Tourist places to visit:
The Golden Temple, Partition Museum, Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh, etc.
6. Ayodhya
The city of Ayodhya is considered the birthplace of Lord Rama and is thus a very important pilgrimage site for Hindus. Diwali in Ayodhya is celebrated with great devotional fervour, and people from all over India come to participate in the festivities. Over here, you’ll see genuine happiness and pleasure. People from around Uttar Pradesh come to celebrate at the banks of the Sarayu River. In fact, almost three lakh diyas were lit, and the event was placed in the Guinness Book of Records.
On the other hand, for Diwali celebration, the city’s bright lights capture the essence of the festival. The main Diwali Mela is organised near Ram Katha Park, where you can enjoy a host of fun activities and delicious food. In fact, the four days of Diwali are celebrated as Ramleela here, in which the whole story of Lord Rama is enacted. Make sure you don’t miss out on this if you’re looking for an authentic Diwali experience.
Tourist places to visit:
Shri Rama Janam Bhoomi, Sita Ki Rasooi, Hanuman Garhi Mandir, Sri Maniram das Chavani, etc.
7. Mathura
Mathura, a city in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus as it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The city comes alive during the festival of Diwali as devotees from all over the country flock to participate in the celebrations. The art installations and colourful lights at the Krishna Temple complex are a sight to behold.
The whole city is decorated with oil lamps, candles and string lights during Diwali. Mathura’s Diwali celebrations include traditional activities such as pujas, bhajans (devotional songs) and havan (a holy fire ritual). The Diwali Bazar is another highlight of the festivities, where one can find a wide range of traditional handicrafts, sweets and snacks. If you choose to celebrate Diwali in Mathura, you will surely have a unique and memorable experience.
Tourist places to visit:
Prem Mandir, Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple Complex, Dwarkadhish Temple, Gita Mandir, Govardhan Hill, etc.
8. Goa
The Diwali celebration in Goa starts on Naraka Chaturdashi, a day when people clean their homes and prepare them for the festivities. On the main day of Diwali, families get together for a feast and exchange gifts. The highlight of Diwali celebrations in Goa is the fireworks display which takes place on beaches and other open spaces. You can also find many cultural programmes organised across different venues in Goa during this time.
In addition, Goan people adorn their windows and doors with lamps and lanterns. The Narakasura effigies made by locals are burnt in the early hours of the next morning. India’s party capital, which is usually abuzz with energy and life, looks completely different during the festival of Diwali. If you choose to visit Goa on this full moon night, then make sure to add these beautiful places to your itinerary.
Tourist places to visit:
Aguada Fort, Calangute Beach, Dudhsagar Falls, etc.
9. Madurai
The Meenakshi Amman Temple, located in the heart of Madurai, is this city’s centrepiece of Diwali celebrations. On the main day of Diwali, the temple is beautifully lit with oil lamps and diyas. The festival celebration here starts a few days before Diwali and ends on the following day.
The most important event during Madurai’s Diwali festival is the Thirukalyanam Ceremony, which takes place on the main day of Diwali. This ceremony marks the wedding anniversary of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Many devotees throng the temple premises to catch a glimpse of this ceremony.
Apart from the Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai is also home to many other shrines and temples worth visiting. So, if you want to experience the true essence of Diwali in South India, then make sure to include Madurai in your travel itinerary.
Tourist places to visit:
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Gandhi Memorial Museum, etc.
10. Delhi
The national capital of India, Delhi, is one of the best places to celebrate Diwali. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show here. Families get together and clean their homes, decorating them with diyas and rangolis. The city is glowing with different colors of lights and lamps, but you can also feel the excitement in the air.
On the main day of Diwali, people dress up in their traditional best and visit their relatives and friends. Gifts are exchanged, and delicious food is prepared and enjoyed by all. The highlight of Diwali celebrations in Delhi is the grand fireworks display which takes place at Connaught Place, India Gate, and other popular spots in the city. Do note that due to the high pollution levels in Delhi, the use of crackers is banned. So, if you want to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali, Delhi is the place to be.
Tourist places to visit:
Lotus Temple, Connaught Place, Red Fort, India Gate, Qutab Minar, etc.
11. Mysore
Diwali in Mysore is celebrated with much pomp and grandeur. The city is beautifully lit up with lights and diyas during this time. One of the main attractions of Diwali in Mysore is the famous Mysore Palace, which is illuminated with nearly thousands of light bulbs. This magnificent sight attracts many tourists from all over the world.
The celebrations of Diwali in Mysore start with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, followed by a grand procession called the Jumboo Savari. During this procession, an elephant carrying the idol of Goddess Lakshmi is taken around the city. This is followed by a spectacular fireworks display at Bannimantap Ground. For those searching for South India’s warmer climate, Mysore is an ideal place to visit during Diwali. If you choose this city to spend your Diwali vacation in, then make sure to enjoy amazing activities.
Tourist places to visit:
Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens, Mysore Zoo, Somanathapura Temple.
The Bottom Line
Therefore, Diwali is celebrated in many different ways across India, depending on the region. However, the underlying theme of the festival remains the same- to celebrate the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
No matter where you choose to celebrate Diwali, you will surely have a memorable experience.
Many sacred pilgrimage sites in India come alive during this time of year as devotees flock to them to offer prayers and celebrate Diwali. You can go there with your family and friends to enjoy the festive atmosphere and participate in the celebrations.
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to India today! We hope this article has helped you to choose the best place to visit on Diwali. If you think we need to add any other place, feel free to share your suggestions in the comment section below.
