Experiences

Places to Experience Diwali in India

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most vibrant and widely observed festivals in the country. Diwali celebrations in India symbolise the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, carrying deep spiritual and cultural significance rooted in ancient Hindu traditions. In North India, it marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, along with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.

In South India, the festival commemorates Lord Krishna’s triumph over the demon Narakasura. Though celebrated with different legends and customs, the essence of Diwali unites people across regions with joy, devotion, and togetherness. During this five-day festival, India comes alive with dazzling lights, colourful rangolis, and joyous gatherings. Families decorate their homes, light diyas, exchange sweets, and come together for rituals and fireworks that illuminate the night sky.

Some of the best places to celebrate Diwali in India are Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kolkata, Jaipur, Udaipur, Rishikesh, Goa, and several destinations in South India, where traditions unfold in spectacular ways. Diwali continues to shine as a celebration of light, prosperity, and unity, bringing people together across the country in festive spirit.

Top Destinations to Experience Diwali in India

01

Varanasi

Varanasi, one of the best places to celebrate Diwali in India, offers a blissful atmosphere filled with spiritual energy and sacred hymns during the festivities. You can witness the magical Ganga aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat on Diwali when people illuminate thousands of floating diyas and release them into the holy river.

The city is also popular for the Dev Deepavali ritual, a tradition unique to Varanasi, during which the ghats become a breathtaking sea of lights and devotees from around the world offering their prayers. Varanasi also hosts the Dev Deepavali Boat Ride on the Ganges, along with street food stalls, bustling markets, and fireworks shows to enhance the Diwali festival celebration in India.

Dev Diwali Boat Ride, Varanasi - 5 November 2025

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02

Ayodhya

The birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodhya, is known for a grand Diwali celebration in India when the city turns into a visual spectacle. The city hosts the renowned Deepotsav ceremony during which Ayodhya transforms into a vibrant canvas and glistens in the brightness of earthen lamps, candles and lights along the Saryu River.

You can witness Ramlila performances depicting the return of Lord Rama from his exile, which symbolise the victory of dharma over adharma. Religious rituals at the Ram Mandir, colourful laser shows, projection mapping drone shows, and extensive fireworks add to the grandeur of India's Diwali celebration in Ayodhya.

03

Jaipur

Jaipur, the Pink City, transforms into a royal spectacle during Diwali, making it one of the best places to visit during Diwali in India. The City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and local temples are adorned with colourful lights, while streets glitter with countless diyas. Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar come alive with shoppers looking for festive outfits, handicrafts, and festive sweets.

Folk music, dance performances, and elephant processions in the city’s courtyards add grandeur to the celebrations. Families perform Lakshmi Puja at home, and fireworks light up the night sky, illuminating Jaipur’s historic architecture. A trip to Jaipur during Diwali offers a royal festival experience full of colour, tradition, and joy.

04

Delhi

Delhi, the nation’s capital, bursts into life during Diwali, creating the most vibrant Diwali celebration in India. Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place glow with colourful diyas, rangolis, and illuminated shopfronts. Streets brim with festive markets offering sweets, lamps, and handmade decorations, attracting crowds of shoppers. Temples across the city host special Lakshmi Puja ceremonies, while cultural events and music performances add charm to the celebrations.

Fireworks illuminate the skyline, reflecting the city’s energy and excitement. Diwali in Delhi offers visitors a vibrant atmosphere filled with heritage, devotion, and lively festive energy, showcased through colourful markets and traditional rituals.

05

Mumbai

Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, dazzles during Diwali, making it the most energetic Diwali celebration in India. Homes glow with diyas, rangolis, and colourful lights, while markets like Crawford and Zaveri Bazaar, along with upscale malls, attract crowds searching for sweets, lamps, and gifts. Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach provide the perfect spots to enjoy fireworks against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea.

Families perform Lakshmi and Ganesh Puja, while cultural shows and street festivities create an electric atmosphere. Diwali in Mumbai is lively and exciting, offering vibrant markets, illuminated streets, and festive performances. The celebrations capture the city’s spirit and create a memorable experience for locals and visitors.

06

Bangalore

Bangalore, the Garden City, celebrates Diwali with lively streets, bright lights, and festive cheer, making it one of the best places to celebrate Diwali in India. Homes glow with diyas and colourful rangolis, while markets overflow with sweets, gifts, and decorations. Families gather for Lakshmi Puja, exchanging treats and enjoying special meals together. Fireworks illuminate the sky, creating excitement across the city.

Cultural events, music shows, and community gatherings fill public spaces with joy, reflecting Bangalore modern yet traditional spirit. Pleasant weather makes outdoor festivities enjoyable, while the city’s mix of contemporary and local celebrations ensures a Diwali experience that is both vibrant and memorable.

07

Udaipur

For a magnificent Diwali celebration in India amidst a regal setting, visit Udaipur, where palaces, temples, and lakes are decorated in vivid lights and colourful rangolis. The City Palace and Lake Pichola are beautifully illuminated, creating a magical backdrop for the festivities. Marketplaces like Hathi Pol Bazaar, Bada Bazaar and Chetak Circle buzz with locals and tourists shopping for sweets, decor items and clothes.

The main highlight of Diwali celebration in Udaipur is the Udaipur Light Festival, which is an annual event featuring huge crowds, live music, dance, food and a wide range of lights. Religious rituals like Lakshmi Puja, cultural performances, and the regal Rajput heritage of Udaipur together make the India Diwali celebration an unforgettable experience.

08

Kolkata

Kolkata hosts a unique Diwali festival celebration in India during which the people of the state perform Kali Puja along with Lakshmi Puja. Kolkata’s streets come alive with temporary temples called pandals where clay idols of Goddess Kali are installed. Famous temples like Dakshinehwar and Kalighat, and the banks of the River Hooghly are decorated with ornate lights, earthen lamps and beautiful rangolis, adding charm to the festive spirit.

The festivities include worship of Kali, setting off fireworks and exchanging sweets with friends and families. After the Diwali celebration in India ends, the idols of Kali are immersed in the river Ganga.

09

Goa

Goa offers a unique Diwali experience where the festival meets the calm of coastal life. Homes, temples, and streets glow with diyas, candles, and fairy lights. Local markets bustle with people shopping for sweets, gifts, and decorative items. Fireworks over the Arabian Sea create a stunning reflection on the water, adding magic to the evening.

Families gather for Lakshmi Puja, and community events feature music and traditional dances. Goa’s celebrations are quieter than in major cities, giving visitors space to enjoy beachside strolls and festive meals. The atmosphere is cheerful and serene, making Diwali in Goa the best Diwali celebration in India and a joyful occasion for both locals and tourists.

10

Amritsar

One of the best places to celebrate Diwali in India is Amritsar, where the spiritual and cultural celebrations of Hindus and Sikhs unite. Diwali in Amritsar falls on the same day as Bandi Chhor Divas, which is a Sikh festival celebrating the return of Hargobind Singh.

So, the Golden Temple shines brightly, adorned with shimmering lights and oil lamps that reflect into the sacred Amrit Sarovar. Take part in the devotional kirtans, enjoy the food at the langar community meals, and walk through the colourfully decorated markets for the best Diwali celebration in India at Amritsar.

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Khecheopalri Lake

Opening time- 7:00 am to 6:00 pmPrime days and hours- Weekends, Mornings, and Evenings Suggested Duration- 2-3 hoursTickets- Available OfflineNearest Railway Station- New Jalpaiguri Railway Station, about 153 kmNearest Bus Stand- Gyalshing Bus Stand, about 33 kmNearest Airport- Bagdogra Airport, about 161 kmSurrounded by the Khecheopalri hills in the Eastern Himalayas, Khecheopalri Lake is one of Sikkim’s most peaceful and spiritual spots. Located near Pelling, this high-altitude lake is considered sacred by both Buddhists and Hindus. The lake is believed to fulfil wishes, making it a religious stop for pilgrims and spiritual seekers.What makes this lake truly fascinating is its clean surface, as migratory birds like the Great Barbet and Himalayan Cuckoo never let even a single leaf float. The surrounding forest is equally beautiful, filled with broad-leaved trees, bamboo groves, and colourful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. The lake’s peaceful setting, blending nature, culture, and belief into a single unforgettable experience, makes it one of the best places to visit in Sikkim.

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India Reviews

Prakash Jaiswal Manali to Leh Bike Trip From Delhi

Excellent

"the experience was awesome. The whole thing organized by Thrillophilia was great. Our tour operator Jigmet sir and the whole crew were 1 no. SHAMAAASS. Julley.

+106

24 October 2015

Agnimitra Banerjee Nishani Motte Trek

Excellent

Trekking and water adventure...what else can be so tempting especially for adventurists like me. This things give me my Kick. Wonderful place and everything is just up-to-the-mark. I'm certainly exploring more of South India now and to get the best of South I prefer reading thrillophilia reviews .

+93

11 July 2019

Vedant Rander Manali Leh Srinagar Bike Trip

Excellent

We went for Manali to srinagar Bike tour. It was the best bike trip of my entire life It all started with the person named Shubham from thrillophilia who helped me in selecting the best trip and processed with my booking, all thanks to him! Without him I wouldn’t have been able to experience the best trip of my life. On arrival there, we met our tour guide Tani and our Mechanic Shashi about whom I have read a lot at thrillophilia reviews. These 2 guys were so supportive during the entire tour that no matter what happened they were always there to look after us. They always made sure we are safe and we are following them and there is no overtaking taking place. Tani, the tour guide, one chilled out person he is! Make sure you get him as your tour guide and Shashi as the mechanic as these guys will always make sure that they are there for you no matter what. And in the end, it’s all the Main man behind everything, Jimmy Sir. Thanks a lot Sir for making me experience the best trip of my life! Without you and your team this wouldn’t have been possible. Thanks for helping us out in every way possible. The roads here are difficult terrain to ride on. You gotta be careful. You gotta carry your gum boots during water logging which is the most difficult to cross. But these guys made sure that we were all safe and had sound health till we reached home. Not even a single person was hurt. Our group was a mixture of all age groups, I’m fact we even got to meet 2 people From the Indian navy as well. One mad kickass experience! Unbelievable. Reaching the worlds highest Pass, Khardungla Top, was the highest achievement of my life till date which happened on this trip! And if at all you wish to go, don’t forget to ask Tani and Shashi as your tour guide and mechanic, and go only through Jimmy Sir as he has the best team! Thanks a lot to everyone out there for which I thought the best way would be to write at thrillophilia reviews.

+50

Anirudh Ghaty Kodachadri Trek

Excellent

"One hell of a crazy trek this one. The views were just splendid, and the organisers had it all charted out, and were extremely helpful. \n\nAn initial route through the forest is what we go through which is not that tiring, but after this stretch we move on to the most difficult part of the trek, where we come across the Hidlumane falls and we need to trek in quite a difficult terrain. Post all this stressful climbing, whatever the view you get is unmatched, all that pain, even though there physically, would have vanished mentally.\n\nBest to trek during monsoon or after the monsoon has receded to an extent as the hills are completely covered in green until the eyes can see. It's a treat for the eyes to feast on watching the western ghats in full glory."

+44

05 October 2017

Umesh Joshi Stok Kangri Trek

Excellent

First, I would like to say thank you to shyam@thrillophilia.com for their coordination and cooperation by writing my thrillophilia reviews.The trip was well planned and executed extremely well by the tour operators, I am very happy with the services provided by thrillophilia during this trek. 1) Our trek leaders Salman and Stenzin are really a wonderful Guys, they were very helpful and supportive all the time during trekking.Other staff members were also supportive and helpful. 2) Food quality and quantity was good. 3) Accommodation was good, camps were in good shape, neat and clean and quite spacious. Let's review the Trek about which I had read a lot at thrillophilia reviews. No doubt Stok trek was awesome as well as difficult. It would not be correct if I will say Stok trek is the most beautiful trek ???? but there is something which makes this trek different from all other treks and which is the main reason to attract tourist from every corner of the word, that is its height. At 20,500 feet Stok Kangri is the highest trekkable summit in India (6,153 m), what google says but when I googled it bit more and try to find if there is any other trek exist in this word which is above Stok, I did not get any information so I assume this is the highest trekkable summit in world ???? Highlights of this Trek 1) Trekking till base camp is not very tiring, which itself a big achievement as you would be able to achieve the height of 16300 feet ???? and the best part what I found in this trek is “you don’t need to walk too many hours to reach base camp” 2-4 hours walk a day is max you will walk. 2) Leh treks are totally different from Himachal and Uttrakhand treks in terms of scenic beauty, it’s a different experience, you would be able to see some splendid views of the Stok mountain ranges. 3) The last day “Summit day” will give you a totally different experience. You start your trek at night time which generally don’t happen in other treks. Moreover, you will get a chance to do snow trekking in summers as well “Only in summit Day”. Here is a great saying "the best view comes after the hardest climb" Very True!!! Preparation: I should say this is not a trek for first time trekkers but still if someone wants to give a try, Start your preparation at least 2 months before this trek as last day “Summit Day” is really a challenging one, compare to other days where you have to just walk 2-4 hours max here on final day you have to walk for a 12 – 14 hours and Trekking at night on Snow is bit tricky task and it becomes more challenging when you have to walk by putting Crampons on your shoes as rightly suggested by many people at thrillophilia reviews. a) Aim for 5 km running in 30 minutes b) Do breathing exercise which helps you a lot during this trek especially. c) Drink as much as water you can.

+44

Rupinder Nambeesan Pride Amber Villas Jaipur

Excellent

Had a good time at the resort. Services and food were also good.

01 April 2021

Tanya Naik Paragliding in Gangtok

Excellent

This was my first paragliding experience and I was so thrilled and scared both at the same time. This March I was going to Gangtok and came to know about the paragliding activity there and booked the same with Thrillophilia and made the most of the thrills and spills of Paragliding. After heading to the paragliding spot in Ranka at Gangtok. I was accompanied by a trained pilot throughout the entire activity when we soared at a height of 1300- 2200 meters. The best thing about Thrillophilia is that it not only gives you an option to choose between medium and high fly but regardless of the package you choose, the ride from the landing site to the take-off point is all included. I chose the high fly package where I and my certified pilot rose at a height of 2200 meters, marveling at nature’s beauty underneath. After this paragliding trip, I must say that this has been my best so far, given the whole safety protocols that Thrillophilia adhered to besides arranging a trip to the Ranka monastery. Thus, I recommend Thrillophilia with all my heart, for such out-of-the-box experiences!

04 February 2021

Pran Adiga Workation in the Lap of Himalayas, Manali

Excellent

The work from home seemed quite relaxing until I started to feel trapped. Thus, come 2021, and kept on looking for a workstation trip where I could stay amidst nature and still work. On came Thrillophilia as a genie and arranged the most fabulous stay in Manali. The three-bedroom cottage I was staying in could accommodate nine people and I set off with 4 of my friends. We loved the serene Kullu Valley setting but met our office targets with full gusto. The stay was not just beautiful being situated amidst apple orchards but was a sanitized space with staff performing hygiene checks daily. My friends made the most of the indoor workspaces while I brought about the outdoor furniture to do office work while not missing out on nature’s grandeur. Totally loved how Thrillophilia at such short notice, arranged for a homestay that had Wi-Fi connectivity, power backup and a laptop-friendly workspace. I still miss our evenings where we would gorge on local snacks cooked in the kitchen, by a chef using fresh seasonal produce. If WFM has been a mood dampener for you, give Thrillophilia a try, to arrange a nourishing stay in the hills!

26 January 2021

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Excellent

Who does not dream of a farmhouse stay amidst the rolling Himalayan Mountains and an emerald green forest? Yes, I am no different because I have craved for such an experience all my life and I am extremely glad that Thrillophilia came on board to grant all that I desired. My 2 days one night experiential stay at a Farmhouse in Gangtok not just let me have a perfect getaway but so much more. I learnt about terrace farming, plucked ripe fruits from the trees, enjoyed picnics along the streams, and tried my hands on organic farming. I still miss my bedroom in the homestay that had a skylight right above the bed to let me stargaze endlessly. Thank you Thrillophilia for such a splendid experience!

19 January 2021

Rajinder Butt Sikkim Darjeeling Gangtok Tour Package From Pune

Superb

A tour of Sikkim and Darjeeling was always on my mind having heard so much about the Yumthang (valley of flowers), the Batasia loop and the mighty tiger hill to catch a scenic sunrise. As a solo traveler I decided to book with Thrillophilia for a 8-day trip to set forth a Sikkim Darjeeling tour that would include all these places. I am extremely elated I did as the teams ensured hassle free travel in air-conditioned vehicles besides stays and dinner at the most hygienic hotels. I am back at Pune after the trip in March but I feel I am back with a piece of Tibet and North Bengal in my heart. I still cherish going to this picturesque hamlet of Chungthang, the stunning Kanchenjunga National Park, and the pristine Gurudongmar Lake. I have absolutely loved my stopover at Kyongnosla and a visit to the Baba Harbhajan dham besides of course the scenic sunrise at Tiger hill, and candlelight dinner at the most unexpected locations. Thanks a ton Thrillophilia for the most wholesome experience there could be!