Incredible Places To Visit This Diwali: Diwali, or Deepawali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with joy in India. The places are decorated with diyas, and decorative lights, and the festive spirit spreads everywhere. However, in some regions, Diwali is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm, which is almost representative of a spiritual, street festival. Here are the top three places that can make your Diwali an experience to remember.
Incredible Places To Visit This Diwali
Varanasi
Varanasi, the eternal city on the banks of the Ganges, has its own unique way of celebrating Diwali. As the sky darkens, thousands of lit diyas are lit in the mighty river by devotees who remain true to a timeless tradition.
Diyas float, illuminating the entire area of the river, making the scene truly memorable. It seems that thousands of stars have come down to the ground for that night. Incessant fireworks and special Ganga Aarti add to the charm and beauty of the night.
Jaipur
Jaipur, the Pink City, hosts a special Diwali shopping festival. The Jaipur Shopping Festival draws participation from various markets in the city, which organize cultural shows, performances, and events such as golf and polo matches to attract visitors.
On Diwali, the third and main night of the five-day festivities, the markets are illuminated and open till late to give shoppers their choice. This place is a must-visit during the Diwali holiday season.
Amritsar
Diwali in Amritsar can be summed up by a simple Punjabi proverb: Dal roti ghar di, Diwali Amritsar di (home-cooked food and Amritsar’s Diwali are without parallel). The auspicious occasion marking the return of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji from Mughal imprisonment, is also celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas, which sees the night sky lit up with giant firecrackers.
The central Golden Temple, the spiritual heart of Sikhism, sparkles like a new bride, decked out in streams of light turning the darkness of night into day. The nearby lake is lit with thousands of floating diyas, which, with the melodies of kirtan in the background, add to the overall mystic ambiance of the temple.
Udaipur
The attractions of Udaipur do not end with its palaces and lakes. Known as one of the major tourist destinations in the state of Rajasthan, Udaipur is listed as one of the best places for Diwali celebrations. With the sky lit up with lamps and fireworks floating in the air, leaving plenty of reflections on Lake Pichola, Udaipur certainly counts as a perfect place to ring in the festival of lights.
Kolkata
Diwali is celebrated in different ways in every region of India. While the north recognizes it as the return of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, the south region sees Lord Krishna’s victory over Narakasura as the call to Diwali celebrations. Similarly, Kolkata celebrates Diwali as a celebration of Goddess Kali and her victory over many demons and evil. Large scale pandals have been built with idols and decorations of Goddess Kali which include red hibiscus flowers, sweets, typical food like rice, fish, and much more.
Goa
You may recognize Goa as the party capital of the country. But the coastal state celebrates Diwali with the same fervor as it does at Christmas! Diwali celebrations in Goa are centered around the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. On Narakasura Chaturdashi massive and scary effigies are made which are later burnt a day before Diwali. Thereafter, the cities of Goa are lit up with Diwali celebrations that come with many popular activities including gambling.
Gujarat
Diwali can be quite noisy due to firecrackers and the vibrant air of celebration in cities and towns. However, if you are not too fond of raucousness and want to celebrate Diwali by bringing some rural pleasures and keeping it pollution-free, then Gujarat is the place for you! The small community-based tourist time of Dang, which is about 270 kilometers from Vadodara, is experiencing some fame for providing a quirky atmosphere to Diwali celebrations.
Ayodhya
As one of the holy cities of India, Ayodhya, particularly famous for its association with the Ramayana, is known to ring with utmost grandeur in the Diwali celebrations. It is noted that in 2018, Ayodhya secured a place for itself in the Guinness Book of World Records for lighting over 300,000 earthen lamps on the banks of the sparkling Saryu River. Diwali celebrations may be a little different in 2020 due to the pandemic, but trust Ayodhya to make it a pleasant one for you.
Delhi
The state capital can never go wrong when it comes to Diwali celebrations. If you are looking to revamp your home decor or wardrobe while shopping the streets of Delhi, you will be thrilled to see some fancy things done at Diwali Bazaar. From exquisite handicrafts to their annual Dastkar Festival of Lights Diwali Mela, Delhi brings a lot of sparkle to Diwali celebrations in the city. Various Diwali fairs and carnivals are organized across the city which you can visit during your stay.
Mumbai
As a city that bustles with life even on regular days, festivals and celebrations bring a whole new glow to Mumbai! Be it the celebration of Diwali or Christmas, the streets of the city are always ready to celebrate. Opting for an eco-friendly approach to celebrating Diwali in the city, here are some of the best places you can visit in Mumbai. The ambiance of the city is so lively and wonderful that you will surely have a great time here! Apart from this, you can also get to see some beautiful monuments, which coincide with Diwali, the festival of lights!
Above were the Incredible Places To Visit This Diwali. Read More About Diwali
