India’s Best Destinations for Diwali 2024: Experience the magic of Diwali in cities like Varanasi with its mesmerizing Ganga aarti, Jaipur’s illuminated palaces, Ayodhya’s grand celebrations, and Kolkata’s unique Kali Puja, blending tradition, devotion, and cultural vibrancy.
India’s Best Destinations for Diwali 2024
Diwali, the ‘Festival of Lights‘, illuminates India with joy and festivity. The auspicious festival of Diwali will be celebrated with warmth and excitement on 1st November this year.
Curious about how this celebration unfolds across different regions? From Varanasi’s spectacular Ganga Aarti to Pune’s eco-friendly festivities, explore the best destinations for Diwali with our guide. Our list of the India’s Best Destinations for Diwali 2024 promises a once-in-a-lifetime festival experience, complete with travel memories to treasure forever.
India’s Best Destinations for Diwali 2024
Ayodhya
Why Visit Ayodhya During Diwali: The finest site to go during Diwali is Ayodhya, which celebrates the return of Lord Ram and embodies the festival’s spiritual and historical significance. With its combination of grandeur and dedication, it’s the ideal place to spend Diwali.
Things to Do and Places to See in Ayodhya During Diwali: Explore the ancient Nageshwarnath Temple and Hanuman Garhi while there, in addition to witnessing the magnificent Deepotsav and seeing the lit Ram Temple. Each of the city’s many ghats, particularly Guptar Ghat, where it is said that Lord Ram ascended to heaven, has its own elaborately embellished rituals.
Local Traditions and Rituals: Celebrate Tulsi Vivah, which falls on Diwali, with the locals in addition to the magnificent Aarti and Ram Katha. Take part in communal feasts, which are a defining feature of Ayodhya’s Diwali celebrations and represent prosperity and joy for everybody. Take in the colorful procession that adds to the celebrations and elevates the city’s spiritual ambiance.
Amritsar
Why Visit Amritsar During Diwali: The greatest place to celebrate Diwali is Amritsar, where the Bandi Chhor Divas and Diwali combine to create a stunning spectacle. Amritsar is the best destination for a Diwali vacation because of the Golden Temple, which is illuminated beautifully and serves as an example of why this event is a must-see.
Things to Do and Places to See in Amritsar During Diwali: Experience the mystical atmosphere of the Golden Temple, the perfect location for your Diwali celebrations. Explore the bustling marketplaces and take in the breathtaking fireworks, which perfectly capture the spirit of the top Diwali destination.
Local Traditions and Rituals: Amritsar’s Diwali, which celebrates the return of Guru Hargobind Ji, is distinctively entwined with Bandi Chhor Divas. With its lavish decorations and unique religious rites, this dual celebration gives the city a strong sense of community and historical pride.
Varanasi
Why Visit Varanasi During Diwali: Known as India’s spiritual center, Varanasi is the ideal destination to visit during Diwali. The city attracts tourists from all over the world and is the greatest place to celebrate Diwali because of its lively energy and devotion during the celebration.
Things to Do and Places to See in Varanasi During Diwali: Experience the mesmerizing Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a popular destination for tourists looking for the greatest Diwali attractions. Explore the brightly lit ghats and join the locals as they throw hundreds of diyas into the Ganges, a scene that makes Varanasi a popular destination for Diwali vacationers.
Local Traditions and Rituals : Varanasi’s celebration incorporates distinctive customs, making it a destination for Diwali celebrations. The city’s reputation as one of the top Diwali destinations and an important spot to visit in India is further cemented by the customary lighting of diyas and the magnificence of Dev Deepavali.
Delhi
Why Visit Delhi During Diwali: The ideal spot to visit during Diwali is Delhi, which is lit up like a bride. The city offers a wide range of activities that perfectly capture the spirit of the celebration, making it the ideal location for Diwali due to its lively environment and nice weather.
Things to Do and Places to See in Delhi During Diwali: Visit monuments that are decked out with lights and diyas, take in the festive bazaars, and explore the exquisitely lit streets and markets. At places like Kamani Auditorium and India Habitat Centre, don’t miss the concerts, plays, and melas.
Local Traditions and Rituals: Enjoy family get-togethers and light diyas as part of the customs of the area. Discover Delhi’s cultural diversity through its varied Diwali celebrations, which solidify its status as one of India’s best destinations to celebrate Diwali.
Jaipur
Why Visit Jaipur During Diwali: The greatest destination for Diwali is Jaipur, often known as the “Pink City,” which is well-known for its magnificent festivities. A popular destination for Diwali, the city’s vivid illumination, captivating fireworks, and bustling marketplaces create a wonderful festive environment.
Things to Do and Places to See in Jaipur During Diwali: Discover well-known sites like the City Palace and the Hawa Mahal, beautifully illuminating the city.
Local Traditions and Rituals: In Jaipur, the Diwali festival begins with Dhanteras, when people purchase gold and silverware as lucky charms. With traditional Marwari food vendors, craftspeople showcasing ceramics and textiles, and musicians adding Rajasthani folk tunes to the celebratory atmosphere, markets such as Tripolia Bazaar turn into the main hubs of celebrations.
Mumbai
Why Visit Mumbai During Diwali: Renowned for its vibrant environment and stunning scenery, Mumbai makes an ideal Diwali destination. The city is a popular Diwali destination because of its blend of traditional and contemporary festivities.
Things to Do and Places to See in Mumbai During Diwali: Admire the magnificent fireworks displays at Juhu Beach and take in the holiday lights along Marine Drive. For Diwali shopping, check out neighborhood bazaars like Crawford Market, where you can get anything from lights to candies. Don’t miss the vibrant street food scene, offering everything from chaat to desserts.
Local Traditions and Rituals: Mumbai celebrates Diwali by lavishly decorating homes and public areas with rangolis, diyas, and candles. After doing the Lakshmi Puja, many families indulge in delectable prepared meals and desserts. One of the greatest destinations to visit in India during Diwali is the city because of its lively displays, sense of festivity, and harmony within the community.
Mysore
Why Visit Mysore During Diwali: With its glittering castles and royal history, Mysore is the ideal destination for Diwali vacations. The famous Mysore Palace, a favorite Diwali destination, illuminates with about 100,000 bulbs, creating a stunning sight. Travelers from all over the world come to witness this joyous spectacle as photographers.
Things to Do and Places to See in Mysore During Diwali: Explore lively marketplaces for crafts and fabrics, take in traditional dance and music performances all across the city, and watch the splendor of the Mysore Palace come to life.
Local Traditions and Rituals: With street sellers selling seasonal products and art exhibits that heighten the festive atmosphere, Mysore’s Diwali combines royal tradition with local culture.
Pune
Why Visit Pune During Diwali: Pune stands out as the top destination for those seeking an environmentally conscious Diwali celebration.
Things to Do and Places to See in Pune During Diwali: Experience eco-friendly fireworks, take part in workshops on creating recyclable decorations, and look at themed pandals that highlight environmental issues. During the event, the city’s educational institutions spearhead campaigns encouraging the usage of public transportation.
Local Traditions and Rituals: Traditional practices like lighting clay diyas and making natural rangolis help Pune retain its festive vibe. It sets itself apart, though, by fusing these customs with an awareness of the environment, making it appealing to people who appreciate festivity and sustainability. Pune ranks as one of the best destinations to visit in India during Diwali, offering an excellent example of how to enjoy the holiday through careful planning.
Kolkata
Why Visit Kolkata During Diwali: The greatest destination to visit during Diwali is Kolkata, which is well-known for its distinctive celebration of the holiday with Kali Puja. The city is a popular Diwali visit because of its lively cultural atmosphere and customary celebrations.
Things to Do and Places to See in Kolkata During Diwali: Discover the exquisitely adorned pandals honoring Goddess Kali, especially in areas like Bagbazar and Baranagar. Don’t miss the themed light installations along main streets and parks, and take in the breathtaking firework displays that illuminate the city skyline.
Local Traditions and Rituals: Participate in Kali Puja, a traditional devotional practice that involves intricate ceremonies held all night long. Take part in the customary “Bhog” distribution, in which followers exchange food contributions. Kolkata is one of the most interesting cities to spend Diwali in India because of its distinctive celebration style, which emphasizes Goddess Kali rather than Goddess Lakshmi.
Madurai
Why Visit Madurai During Diwali: With its colorful celebrations and rich historical tapestry, Madurai is the ideal destination for Diwali travel. It is a popular place to celebrate Diwali because of its deeply traditional celebrations.
Things to Do and Places to See in Madurai During Diwali: See the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, which offers special Diwali rituals and is beautifully illuminated. For holiday shopping, visit the busy marketplaces like Puthu Mandapam and take in the city’s skyline-brightening fireworks show.
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