Top 10 Best Places to Visit During Diwali Vacation For a Joyful Celebration

India is home to some of the best places to celebrate Diwali, which you shouldn’t miss. Well, Diwali celebration is incomplete without visiting Diwali fairs, temples, buying home decor, Diwali gifts, sweets, and fireworks. But, there’s more, not many know that from North to South, the magic of Diwali is unique everywhere, which comes with its own spirited flavour. 

Billions of diyas lit, dazzling lanterns hovering through the air, and a spectacular display of fireworks up in the sky, that’s the splendour of Diwali, a festival like no other, from the lighting of diyas to celebrating Laxmi puja and creating rangoli designs, the vibrant festivities of Diwali welcome joy, abundance, and bonhomie. Temples, streets, bazaars, and homes come alive with the brightness of diyas, welcoming Maa Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and growth.

Excited to explore the best places for a long Diwali trip? Scroll down to learn more about Diwali getaways.

Exciting Diwali travel destinations to visit with your friends and family

Wondering where to go for Diwali vacation in India? Make your Diwali vacation colourful, like a rangoli, and as bright as shining diyas by discovering the 10 best places to visit in Diwali that display a rainbow of cultural extravaganza, diverse traditions, and immense devotion.

1. Ayodhya

2. Varanasi

3. Udaipur

4. Goa

5. Amritsar

6. Pushkar

7. Kolkata

8. Mysore

9. Haridwar

10.  Delhi

1. Ayodhya- Ram Janmabhoomi  

Ayodhya hosts the grand Ayodhya Deepotsav celebration, wherein every corner of the newly constructed Ram Lalla’s Temple remains lit with millions of diyas, celebrating the spiritual richness of the city. Moreover, the city is fully illuminated with a record-breaking number of diyas and millions of earthen lamps to welcome Prabhu Shri Ram, Sita, Laxman, and Maa Lakshmi, which is truly unmissable for a great festive celebration.

Also read: Top 10 temples to visit in Ayodhya

2. Varanasi- Lord Shiva’s home 

Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities, features a tranquil landscape and more than 80 ghats, which appear captivating on the eve of Diwali & Dev Deepawali, a festival celebrated 15 days after Diwali to celebrate Lord Shiva’s victory over demon Tripurasura. On Dev Diwali in Varanasi, millions of diyas floating in the holy Ganges, and the ghats illuminated with diyas and earthen lamps, and echoes of ‘Har Har Gange’ transform Varanasi into a magical city, creating a divine atmosphere.

Explore: Dev Deepawali Varanasi tour package 

3. Udaipur- Venice of the East 

Udaipur, famously known as the ‘city of lakes’, should be on your travel bucket list for celebrating Diwali. The city’s magical spectacle, with its splendour of royal palaces, can be best discovered during the Udaipur Lantern Festival. Enjoy the eye-catching reflection of diyas in lakes, sparkling lanterns hovering, illuminated majestic palaces, and royal havelis lit with diyas. Moreover, A dazzling display of fireworks above the golden-hued, opulent Rajasthani-style palace on Diwali is enough to grip your attention.

4. Goa- Party Capital of India 

Beyond late-night rave parties, beach shacks, cruises, casinos, and watery adventure, you can visit Goa during Diwali to experience Goan tradition and its cultural richness. In Goa, Choti Diwali is celebrated as ‘Naraka Chaturdashi’,  in which effigies of demon Narakasura are constructed to be burnt, to celebrate the triumph of Shri Krishna and Satyabhama over demon Narakasura, while also bringing communities together in celebrating the victory of good over evil.

5. Amritsar- Golden City 

Amritsar, popularly known as the Golden City, is beautifully illuminated with diyas and lamps on the eve of Diwali. The Golden Temple’s golden allure is multiplied manifold during Diwali, with countless diyas and lamps lit around the holy sarovar, making Amritsar a must-visit place for Diwali celebrations. Diwali in Amritsar is celebrated as ‘Bandi Chhor Divas’, commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, who had been imprisoned by Jahangir.

Check out: Panj Takht tour package

6. Pushkar- Brahma Dev’s Abode  

Pushkar, a quaint city, best known for the world’s only Brahma Temple, located near the Ajmer district of Rajasthan, is abundant with several ghats and ancient temples. It has emerged as a popular tourist attraction after the annual Pushkar Camel Fair, held every year in the month of Kartik (October-November). The famous Pushkar lake is illuminated with diyas floating in water, and thousands of others on the ghats surrounding it. Be it Rajasthani folk music or fireworks, Pushakar comes alive during Diwali.

7. Kolkata- Cultural Capital of India 

Diwali in Kolkata is almost like immersing yourself in a cultural fiesta! Unlike other parts of India in which Diwali is celebrated by worshipping Laksmi and Ganesha, however, in Kolkata, the celebration of Diwali coincides with Kali Puja, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. On the eve of Diwali, pilgrims and locals visit Kali pandals to light diyas to seek blessings from Kali Maa, who defeated the demon Raktabeeja. In Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, Kali maa is popularly worshipped on Diwali.

Explore: Gangasagar Kalighat pilgrimage

8. Mysore- City of Palaces 

Mysore shines bright during the auspicious days of Diwali! The splendid palaces of Mysore exude their grandeur while they’re radiant in the light of diyas, a jaw-dropping sight. The city-wide lights during Diwali crown Mysore with a little shimmer and sparkle that makes the entire place dreamy and charming. While in North, Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Shri Ram, in South it is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, a period which marks the victory of Shri Krishna over the demon Narakasura.

9. Haridwar- Gateway to Lord Vishnu 

How can we forget Haridwar? A place that’s perfect for spiritual fulfilment, but do you know it’s also special for the Diwali celebration! At Har Ki Pauri, the heart of the city, all the ghats shimmer with the countless diyas that make the city glow magically. Moreover, floating diyas in the Ganges and flickering lights on temples beautify the city. A fantastic atmosphere can be seen during Dev Diwali, just a few days after Diwali, in which it is believed that God comes down on Earth to celebrate 

Must-see: Haridwar Rishikesh pilgrimage tour

10. Delhi- Dilwalon Ki Dilli 

National capital, Delhi, hosts a great cultural carnival, a contemporary celebration of Diwali, with Live music events, Diwali fairs, and vibrant bazaars, that will take your hearts away. Whether you’re a Delhiite or not, you can attend Diwali events in Delhi like Surajkund Diwali Mela, Vasant Kunj Diwali Mela, Meri Dilli Utsav of Pitampura with your friends and family. If you’ve a sweet tooth, visit Chandini Chowk and try lip-smacking sweets, go for shopping at Delhi malls, INA Dilli haat, Sarojini Nagar, Khan Market, and Lajpat Nagar. Also, if you’re a party person, then Delhi has a buzzing nightlife; attend pre-Diwali bashes with your friends at Delhi’s premium hotels and luxury lounges.

Let’s cherish the shared love and happiness with the flickering diyas and colours of rangoli, living the moments of joy and laughter. Plan your Diwali vacation like never before by visiting Diwali celebration places in India; join us for a memorable Diwali vacation with your family by calling us at +91-8510007751.