Places to explore during Diwali

Diwali is one of the most important festivals celebrated in India. It is not only an official public holiday not only in India, but in many neighbouring countries like Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Surinam and Fiji. Expedia lists down destinations that will comfort your travel itch, without missing on the festivities.

Destinations in India

Jaipur: One must visit this place to experience the beauty and energy of the festival. The famous pink city welcomes the tourists with beautifully colored lit and decorated lights. The city is adorned with lamps and local musicians performing on the streets. The markets here sell over a thousand types of earthen lamps in many shapes, sizes and colors and the markets are flooded with traditional clothes and handicrafts. Each year, there's a competition for the best decorated and most brilliantly lit up market. Apart from a feast to the eyes, you can treat your palate to delicious sweets and food items.

Varanasi: The Ghats of Ganga are lit up with thousands of diyas, giving it a mesmerizing view. The light of the countless floating candles and lamps illuminates the holy river beautifully. Tourists enjoy the Special Ganga Aarti on the irradiated Ghats making it a different experience altogether.

Goa: Diwali in Goa is also known as Narak Chaturdasi and the town celebrates the destruction of demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. The houses are decorated with kandeels (lanterns). Competitions are held to see who can make the biggest and scariest effigy of the demon. The effigies burned at dawn on Narakasura Chaturdashi, the day before the main day of Diwali. Also popular for its casinos, the place attracts a lot of tourists as gambling is also a popular activity during Diwali.

Amritsar: The Golden Temple is draped with brightly lit lights on the Diwali evening making it an extravagant spectacle for the onlookers. The edge of the lake is fringed with countless oil lamps and candles lit by devotees. The reflection of the diyas on the water creates a truly magical environment. It is quite a sight to behold.

Foreign destinations

London: The Diwali Festival in London is organised by the Mayor of London in cooperation with the Diwali in London Committee. This year's event will be hosted alongside the National Army Museum to commemorate the role India played in World War I and will pay tribute to the soldiers of the British Empire and Commonwealth. Starting with children parade, the show is followed by number of other dance sequences, including Indian folk dances.

Singapore: Singapore is the one of the destination chosen by Indians to celebrate Diwali. The massive decorations which starts from the streets and extends to the colonies and homes especially in Serangoon Road which is also called little India of Singapore. Special festival events like the Festival Village, the Fire-Walking Festival and the UTSAV Street Parade have been planned by the Singaporean authorities.

Malaysia- Just like India, Diwali is an official holiday in Malaysia and people gather around to celebrate it together. Decorations such as colourful paper lanterns and kolam (rangoli) are put up to decorate homes. Known as Little India in Kuala Lumpur, places like Brickfields, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Masjid Jamek, and Monorail are a few places to enjoy the festival.

Nepal: Also known as Tihar, Diwali is a five-day Nepalese festival, each dedicated to a different God. The traditions vary from those followed in India. It is all about worshiping of different animals and worshiping of the Hindu Goddess of Fortune or Wealth. The last day of the festival is known as Tika day or popularly known as Bhai Tika day. It is also one of the biggest shopping seasons in Nepal.

(The article has been authored by Mr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia India)