Diwali is a festival of lights, of love, of meeting and greeting people and exchanging sweets. Well, every house reverberates with the sound of Lakshmi pooja and prayer songs.
Diwali is also about cleaning up the house, offices and shops inside out! This is because it is believed that Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, enters only neat and tidy places.
In the evening many people do not lock their homes lest they miss out on richness! Colourful rangoli at the entrance greets every guest. And yes, the best part about Diwali is also about wearing new clothes and looking beautiful.
If you too wait for Diwali festival, it is time you ventured out to some new places in India where Diwali is celebrated.
People are the same everywhere, the festival is also the same but the ambiance and traditions, cuisine, ways of praying etc. differ. This is what brings in some surprise element in your Diwali celebrations!
Exquisite Diwali Celebration in India
Diwali is truly symbolic of the triumph of good over evil. This festival of lights is celebrated to rejoice the home coming of Rama, Sita and Lakshma after 14 years of exile and the defeat of Ravana.
Every city celebrates Diwali in its own special way. Let us peep into the Diwali celebrations in some towns which are famous for Diwali celebrations!
Dev Deepavali in Varanasi
This place is known as the Spiritual Capital of India. Start with a bath in the holy Ganges and have a ball, exploring the bustling bazaars where everything from traditional clothes to sweets are sold.
Take a sunset boat ride and watch the glimmering lamps against the backdrop of the religious recitals and chants by the river. The festivities culminate with a superb display of firecrackers.
Bandi Chhor Divas in Amritsar
Ths festival is known as one of the important festivals for Sikhs and commemorates the return of Guru Hargobind Ji, the 6th Sikh Guru, from his imprisonment.
There are special prayers or kirtans held throughout the city and the Golden Temple looks stunning when illuminated. You can also enjoy langar in gurudwara.
Traditional folk performances in Jaipur
The Diwali celebrations in Jaipur start right from Dhanteras. The Nahargarh Fort and other popular landmarks offer amazing views of the lighting and fireworks decorated the entire city. You can also finest Marwari cuisine and shop for attractive souvenirs and handicrafts on your sojourn through Jaipur.
Kali Puja in Kolkata
Yes, the City of Joy lives up to its name during Diwali which coincides with the famous Kali Puja here. Goddess Kali is worshipped in Kolkata and you can witness the unique and detailed offerings to the Goddess including meat, fish, flowers, and sweets. You can see devotees bring diyas, candles, and lamps, and you can also enjoy amazing fireworks.
Take a tour of the famous Kali Puja pandals in the city including the biggest religious shrines like the Kalighat Temple or Dakshineswar Temple, where Goddess Kali is worshipped by thousands of devotees.
Naraka Chaturdashi procession in Goa
The celebrations start from Naraka Chaturdashi when people decorate their doors and windows with lanterns. During this festival, people build several larger-than-life-sized Narakasura effigies filled with firecrackers and grass and then burn them the next morning in the wee hours.
Capital of India
The capital of the country celebrated all religious festivals throughout the year. The exquisite handicrafts to their annual Dastkar Festival of Lights Diwali Mela, Delhi does add quite the radiance to Diwali celebrations in the city. There are various Diwali melas and carnivals held across the city that you can check out during your stay.
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