Amazing Places to Celebrate Diwali
The Festival of Lights, DIWALI, is India’s biggest festival of the year. It’s an occasion for family togetherness. The five-day festival honors the return of Lord Ram and his wife Sita to Ayodhya (after defeating the demon Ravan and rescuing Sita from his evil clutches on Dussehra). Here are some of the biggest Diwali celebrations in India. They also happen to be great places to visit outside of Diwali season.
1.
Varanasi
Making
a case for the world’s oldest inhabited city, Varanasi is steeped in history
and culture like few places on the planet. Every corner and crevice of this
holy city is blessed with a surprise for your senses. Now, take that and add in
Diwali celebrations and what you have is a fabulous spectacle. There is a
constant stream of fireworks and fireworks going off all night long. Make sure
to stay at one of the riverside hotels so you have a good view of the fireworks
over the Ganges River. Other highlights
include special Ganga Aarti, ghats illuminated with candles, and diyas that
float down the river.
2.
Amritsar
While
the Golden Temple and Amritsar are predominantly Sikh in population, Diwali is
still celebrated in a massive way. Sikhs have incorporated Diwali into their
religion and it is particularly important because it also marks when Guru
Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh guru, returned from prison in 1619. He had been
held in prison unjustly for his beliefs, and he was accompanied by others who
he helped to free. In addition, the stone foundation of the Golden Temple was
laid on Diwali in 1577. Prepare to
behold a display of mesmerizing fireworks over the famed Golden Temple. Lights
drape the temple complex, with the edge of the lake fringed with countless oil
lamps and candles, all lit by devotees.
3. Goa
In this Indian holiday powerhouse, the Diwali
celebrations focus on the destruction of the demon Narakasura by Lord
Krishna. Every village and city has
competitions to see who can make the scariest and biggest Narakasura demon. The
effigies are burned at dawn the day before Diwali, known as Narakasura
Chaturdashi. Gambling is also a popular
activity during Diwali in Goa, so you may want to try your luck at one of Goa’s
top casinos. If you’re planning on a floating casino, make sure you book well
in advance since they book up well in advance.
4. Gujarat
Want to spend a quiet Diwali away from the noise
and pollution of the fireworks? Spend it in peace in a village in Gujarat with
local tribal residents who’ll welcome you into their village. Prepare Diwali Rangoli, watch art
demonstrations, and cook delicious organic vegetarian food. There are other
activities such as trekking and participating in the daily activities of the
tribe.
5. Nathdwara
About
50 miles north of Udaipur in Rajasthan, the small holy town of Nathdwara is
known among pilgrims for its 17th century Krishna temple which
houses an idol of Shreenathji. In the
week before Diwali each year, the walls of the town’s buildings are whitewashed
and repainted. Here, Diwali is widely celebrated, as the important Annakuta festival
falls a day afterwards. The temple’s hundreds of cows are also decorated and
displayed, while the town is illuminated with lanterns. The town is also noteworthy for its
traditional Pichwai paintings which feature scenes from Lord Krishna’s life.
6.
Mumbai
Home to Bollywood’s glitz and glamour, Mumbai
will provide you with options to party galore. Try Marine Drive, also known as
the Queen’s Necklace, for a spectacular backdrop for the fireworks. Book
yourself at the InterContinental or West End Hotel so you can be close and
party the nights away.
7.
Udaipur
Here
rooftops and doorsteps are illuminated by lights and fireworks over Lake Pichola
make for a beautiful scene. Devotees
visit Mahalaxmi temple in Bhatiyani Chauhatta to pay their respects to the
goddess of wealth. There is also the
Udaipur Light Festival which was started in 2012 by Udaipur Blog to bring
everyone together to celebrate Diwali. It features performances from various
singers and DJs, food stalls, fun activities, art installations, and paper
lanterns.
8.
Ayodhya
For
the biggest Diwali celebration in India, head to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. This is
where Lord Ram and his wife Sita returned on this day after 14 years of exile. A
record number of earthen lamps – 300,000 – were lit along the banks of the
Saryu River, a feat which earned a place in the Guinness Book of World
Records. This year the Indian government
has allocated extra funding for the event.
9.
Kolkata
In
Kolkata and West Bengal, the main day of Diwali is widely celebrated as Kali
Puja. Kalighat, Dakshineswar, Belur Math – Kolkata’s Kali temples – are filled
with massive numbers of devotees. Decorated idols of the magnificient and
fearsome Goddess Kali, the Dark Mother, are put on display across the city for
people to visit. Goddess Kali is worshiped because of her ability to destroy
illusions and the ego that go with it.