Diwali or Deepavali, also known as the “Festivals of Lights” is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated throughout India. The five-day festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, or positivity over negativity, and also strengthens the family bonds. During the festival, people decorate and lighten their homes with lights and earthen lamps, burst crackers, and exchange sweets and gifts. The festival has a strong cultural significance marked by prosperity, happiness, and togetherness.
When is Diwali in 2023?
Here is a list of important dates for the Diwali Festival in the year 2023
- Day 1 – Dhanteras (Trayodashi) Friday, 10th November 2023
- Day 2 – Chhoti Diwali (Chaturdashi ) Saturday, 11th November 2023
- Day 3 – Lakshmi Puja (Amavasya) Sunday, 12th November 2023
- Day 4 – Govardhan Puja (Ekam) Monday, 13th November 2023
- Day 5 – Bhai Dooj (Dwitiya) Tuesday, 14th November 2023
Have a look at some best places to visit in India to celebrate and enjoy the festival of lights, making a remarkable experience.
List of the Top 8 Places To Celebrate Diwali In India:
1. Ayodhya – ‘A Mega Diwali’
The city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is the birthplace of Shri Ram where he returned with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana after 14 years of exile. The four-day celebration marks the genuine happiness and joy of people over there. Deepotsav- “A Carnival of Lights” is organized by the state government each Diwali where the river banks of Sarayu River are lit up with floating diyas.
The priest also performs the rituals along with the aarti on the riverbanks with thousands of devotees. Each nook and corner of the city was lit up with earthen lamps and beautifully decorated with lights and colorful decorative items. Witnessing Diwali in Ayodhya will give you a lifetime experience.
Tourist Attractions: Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi, Hanuman Garhi Mandir, Kanak Bhavan Temple, Sita ki Rasoi, Sri Maniram das Chavani, Nageshwarnath Temple.
2. Varanasi – ‘Famous for Dev Deepavali’
Varanasi or Banaras or Kashi is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India to celebrate Diwali. The sacred city celebrates Diwali on the banks of the holy river Ganga with a special “Ganga Aarti” and diyas floating down the rivers. The fireworks and firecrackers go off the whole night and you can get an amazing view from the Ganga ghat.
Dev Deepawali is celebrated in Varanasi 15 days after regular Diwali in honor of Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasur. Dev Deepavali or Dev Diwali is also called Tripurotsav and is celebrated on Kartik Purnima. Thousands of clay lamps are lit on the river Ganga giving a whole different vibe.
Top Attractions: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganga Aarti, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, Assi Ghat, New Vishwanath Temple.
3. Jaipur – ‘Famous for Folk Performances and Bright Market’
Jaipur, the pink city in Rajasthan looks stunning on Diwali eve with lightning and lively streets, homes, and a marketplace. The markets are filled with attractive handicrafts, souvenirs, jewelry, stalls, Marwari cuisine, and musicians playing folk culture. Jaipur welcomes Diwali with full enthusiasm and is one of the most popular destinations to celebrate the Diwali festival.
A competition is held each year for the best decorated and brilliantly lit up market for which the government pays the power bill. The Nahargarh Fort and Johari Bazaar give an amazing view of the decorated and shining city. Many heritage hotels also arrange Diwali celebrations for the guests.
Top Attractions: Johari Bazaar, Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, World Trade Park, Gaurav Tower, Albert Hall, Akshardham Temple, Chaura Rasta.
4. Udaipur – ‘City of Lakes’
The royal city of Udaipur is one of the best places to celebrate the festive period of Diwali. During the Diwali festival, the city is decorated with lights, and the skies are illuminated by floating lamps leaving a reflection on the Pichola Lake. Devotees pay respect to the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi at the Mahalaxmi Temple in Bhatiyani Chohatta by performing the puja or rituals.
Udaipur Light Festival is organized by Government each year to celebrate Diwali in a royal style with various singers, and DJs across genres, fun activities, food stalls, and a lot more memories. Govardhan Puja is also celebrated a day after Diwali to enjoy the victory of Lord Krishna over Indra, the God of Lightning.
Top Attractions: Pichola Lake, City Palace, The Lake Palace, Mahalaxmi Temple, Sajjangarh Palace, Bada Bazaar.
5. Amritsar – ‘The Golden Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas’
Amritsar, known for the Golden Temple is one of the best places to visit during Diwali. The Golden temple looks extremely stunning decorated with lanterns and light with pleasant weather. The entire edge of Sarovar is illuminated with sparkling candles and oil lamps signifying the festival of lights.
The Sikh community celebrates Bandi Chhor Divas in the honor of their sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib who returned from a prison where he had been wrongfully imprisoned for his beliefs. Bandi Chhor Divas is celebrated by singing special prayers at temples, decorating homes and temples with colorful lights, having a large feast, and exchanging gifts.
Top Attractions: Golden Temple, Wagah border, Jallianwala Bagh, Partition Museum, Gobindgarh Fort, Attari Border Crossing, etc.
6. Kolkata – ‘Attend Kali Puja Celebration’
Kolkata, the city of joy is famous for the Durga Puja and Kali Puja during Diwali month. Kali Puja is one of the most important festivals for Bengalis, celebrated attractively with offerings including meat, fish, sweets, and red hibiscus flowers.
Kolkata is lit up with diyas, lamps, candles, and bright lights, giving life to the city. A huge number of devotees worship at temples including Kalighat, Belur Math, and Dakhineshwar temple. The city looks completely different during the festive season, everything is lit up and illuminated.
Top Attractions: Dakshineshwar Temple, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Kalighat, etc.
7. Goa – ‘Famous for the Naraka Chaturdashi Procession’
The city of Goa is another beautiful destination to visit during the Diwali festival. The people in Goa celebrate Diwali on Naraka Chaturdashi, believing that Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura who terrorized the village and people over there. The local crowd enjoys burning the effigies of Narakasura, representing well over evil.
Houses are decorated with colorful Rangoli patterns made of colored powder and rice along with bright lights and lanterns. Enjoy the delicious Diwali cuisines during the festival season gives a whole vibe. Taking a Diwali vacation with your family would be a whole dazzling and memorable
Top Attractions: Aguada Fort, Calangute Beach, Baga Beach, Dudhsagar Falls, etc.
8. Delhi – ‘Attend Carnival and Diwali Fair’
Delhi, the capital of India is an amazing destination to celebrate Diwali Vacations. The five-day celebration starts with the Dhanteras and ends on Bhai Dooj. The city is lit up with various types of lights, lamps, and vibrant decorative items. One can enjoy exploring the special Diwali markets and fairs. The Diwali market that takes place at Dilli Haat is a popular market to buy handicrafts, clothes, bags, floating candles, lights, and much more.
During Diwali, people exchange gifts and sweets with their family & friend and get together wearing new traditional clothes to celebrate the festival with fun. You can head to Bangla Sahib Gurudwara where Diwali coincides with Bandi Chhor Diwas, a Sikh festival where you can enjoy delicious langar and the beautiful atmosphere with lightning.
Top Attractions: Bangla Sahib, Lotus Temple, India Gate, Chandni Chowk Market, Lajpat Nagar Market, etc.
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