According to the Hindu calendar, Diwali or Deepavali heralds the dawn of a New Year. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it is one of the most important festivals in India. Diwali in India is a 5-day celebration of victory of good over evil and it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits the houses of devotees on Diwali night to bestow upon them prosperity and happiness.
During the Diwali festival in India, families and friends come together to celebrate the occasion by lighting 'Diyas' or earthen lamps, relishing sweet delicacies, exchanging gifts, playing games, and burning crackers.
The Diwali celebration in India is a feast to the eye and a singular experience that every traveler must experience once in a lifetime.
November 12, 2023.
Although there are various legends about the festival, all of them can be traced back to ancient India.
One of the popular beliefs is that the festival is the celebration of the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. Many others believe the day to be the birthday of the Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi.
However, the most popular story is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, his kingdom with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman after 14 years of their exile. It is believed that the subjects illuminated their homes with diyas to celebrate their beloved king’s return.
People in India celebrate Diwali in diverse ways. In addition to praying and visiting temples, they revel in the festival by indulging in the following.
As Diwali approaches, every corner of Indian homes comes alive with a kaleidoscope of colors and sparkle. People immerse themselves in the art of deep cleaning their houses. The heart of the decorations lies in the majestic play of lights, diyas (oil lamps), and fragrant flowers that adorn every household.
Fireworks have been an inseparable part of the Diwali festival in India for generations. The night sky comes alive with a breathtaking display of fireworks, from the elegant Phooljhadi to the resounding patatakas and chakli.
At the heart of Diwali lies the Laxmi Puja, a momentous ritual where devotees offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, seeking her blessings for a prosperous year ahead. Lighting the traditional oil lamp before the deity symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
As the auspicious day of Dhanteras dawns, the spirit of giving and sharing envelops the land. People throng to bustling marketplaces, eager to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. The act of gifting is deeply ingrained in Indian culture, and Diwali signifies this unique tradition.
No celebration in India is complete without an indulgence in delectable feasts. Diwali is no exception, and families come together to relish an array of mouth-watering sweets and savories. From jalebi, laddus, and kaju-kathli to kheer and halwas, the feast becomes an exploration of the country's rich culinary heritage.
Diwali is a celebration that goes on for 5 days. Hence, you will have plenty of time to visit many places that are worth experiencing during Diwali in India. Here is a small list of places to visit in India during diwali.
Varanasi embraces Diwali in all its religious vigor and pride. You can experience a unique Ganga Arti when the sun sets in the evening. People float tens of thousands of diyas over Ganga making the mighty river look like the night sky full of bright stars. The setting takes a singular feel as it gets filled with prayers and chants for Goddess Ganga and Lakshmi.
The whole encounter is one of the best experiences of celebrating Diwali in India.
As a regal city, Jaipur wears all the splendor during Diwali better than any other city in India. The pink city becomes even more beautiful for the occasion filled with lights, buzzing markets, and excited people. The skies of Jaipur with beautiful fireworks come alive treating the eyes of every beholder. With markets serving rare delicacies, the night never stops in Jaipur during Diwali.
When it comes to celebrating Diwali, New Delhi has its own style, as the capital of the country. All the major buildings and marketplaces are lit with decorative lights and diyas.
The nights of November are a bit chilly in the capital, but what’s an even better companion for the warm nights of Diwali?
People also visit their families and relatives as Delhi is in a full festival mood.
Kolkata has a slightly different story for Diwali. Along with Diwali, the city also celebrates Kali Puja, the quintessential festival of Kolkata. The homes are lit up with a wide range of lamps and diyas. You can witness beautiful rangolis everywhere.
The people of Kolkata celebrate the festival with families and friends feasting, eating, and drinking.
People in Chennai celebrate the festival right from the dawn of the day. They take an elaborate oil in the morning, starting their Diwali celebration. They also indulge in a puja, which is followed by bursting crackers all through the day. Chennai also lights up their homes and buildings with diyas and lights to make the night look impeccable.
Come to India and celebrate Diwali in all its glory and cultural vibrancy. Diwali is one of the best festivals where one can experience the whole country uniting and celebrating. This is one of those rare occasions where the unity of the country amidst diversity is thoroughly palpable.
And for all the travel enthusiasts who love to indulge in such cultural experiences, you cannot get a better opportunity than Diwali in India.
So, plan your vacation with Exclusive India Journey for Diwali 2023 in India.
The Indian festival Diwali is all about celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Also called the Festival of Lights, the festival gets that name because Diwali means a string of lights.
Diwali is so important to Indians because it is the celebration of the return of Lord Rama after his triumph over Ravana and exile of 14 years to his kingdom with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. It signifies a time to let our inner light win over the darkness in the world.
There are so many places where you can spend your Diwali vacation in India. However, a few of the best ones are Varanasi, New Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, and Kolkata.
During Diwali, you can indulge in bursting crackers, relish unique and rare delicacies, visit temples, and spend time with your family. You can also visit places like Varanasi and Jaipur, where Diwali is celebrated with vigor.
Yes, you must. You can experience India and the celebration of Diwali in the best way possible. Diwali is celebrated on November 12 in 2023 and you may plan your vacation accordingly. More than a festival, Diwali is an experience that is worth indulging in.
During Diwali, people wear new and finest clothes. They also illuminate their homes using earthen lamps called diyas and worship Lakshmi who is the goddess of prosperity.
The biggest Diwali celebration in India happens in Varanasi. As the most sacred pilgrim in India, Varanasi celebrates Diwali in all its religious glory and festival mood. One can observe people bursting firecrackers all night long during Diwali.
Diwali is called the Festival of Lights because diyas, or earthen lamps, are lit during the celebration of the festival. It is believed that the subjects of Ayodhya had lit lights when Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom after his exile.
