If there’s one festival that truly turns India into a living, breathing postcard of light, it’s Diwali. Streets glow under strings of fairy lights, temples hum with chants and the crackle of diyas, and the scent of fresh sweets seems to drift from every other doorway. Whether you’ve been here before or you’re planning your very first trip, Diwali isn’t just a holiday. It’s a sensory experience that sweeps you up and carries you along in its warmth and chaos.
From the lantern-filled markets of Jaipur to the firework-dotted skyline of Varanasi, every city has its own way of celebrating. And that’s the magic — you’re not just visiting places, you’re stepping into moments.The trick is knowing where to go, what to do, and how to soak it all in without feeling like you’re ticking boxes off a tourist checklist. This is about stories, not itineraries.
Here’s how to get started.
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1. Jaipur’s Golden Glow After Sunset
Jaipur (aka the Pink City) is always easy on the eyes, but during Diwali, it’s something else entirely. The markets in Johari, Bapu and Tripolia are strung with lights that spill onto the streets, and every shop seems to be competing for the warmest, brightest glow. Even the Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort look different during this festive period. They are extra soaked in light, and feel more alive than during the day. You’ll find yourself stopping constantly, not because you planned to, but because there’s always something worth looking at.
If you like to keep a record of trips beyond a camera roll full of random snaps, this is the place to start getting creative. You could use a tool like Adobe Express to pull together your favourite shots and make a Diwali Instagram highlights cover that picks up the same golden tones you see everywhere in the city. It’s a small thing, but it means those moments won’t just fade into the archive “black hole” on your phone.
2. Witness the Spiritual Heartbeat in Varanasi
Varanasi during Diwali is busy, loud, and unforgettable. The ghats along the Ganges are covered in rows of small oil lamps, and the whole riverfront glows after dark. You’ll hear temple bells, chanting, and a constant buzz from the crowds. If you’re here for Dev Deepawali (about two weeks after Diwali) it’s on an even bigger scale. The turnout is in thousands, and so are the diyas.
The best way to see it is from a boat. Early mornings are calm and misty, while evenings are full-on with people, colour and sound literally everywhere you look. It’s not quiet or polished, but that’s the whole point. It’s meant to be raw and real, and it’s an experience you definitely won’t forget for decades to come.
3. Dive into Street Food-Coma Heaven in Delhi
Delhi’s a great city for food any time of year, but during Diwali things go up a couple of notches. You’ll want loose clothes for this one because there’s no pretending you’ll eat sensibly. Chandni Chowk is packed with stalls frying pakoras, jalebis, samosas, and anything else that smells good enough to stop you in your tracks. Even the tiny corner shops have queues spilling into the street, and you can smell what’s cooking long before you see the stall.
Before you know it, you’ve had “just a taste” of half a dozen things and you’re leaning against a wall, wondering if it’s socially acceptable to nap in public. The trick is to pace yourself, but honestly, most people don’t, and that’s half the fun. Come hungry, cash in your pockets for the street vendors, and leave calories at the door. This is the night for eating until you’re done… and then somehow finding space for one more sweet.
4. Experience the Royal Glow in Udaipur
Udaipur is one of those cities that’s already popular with travellers, but Diwali gives it a different energy. The big landmarks like the City Palace and Jag Mandir are lit up at night and become the focus of evening events. At the City Palace you’ll find cultural performances, live music, and fireworks that draw big crowds. It’s a good place to soak up the atmosphere, though you’ll need to be ready for slow-moving lines and a lot of people in the main courtyard areas.
You don’t have to be in the middle of that to enjoy it though. Walking through the older lanes, you still get plenty to look at — rangoli outside homes, marigold garlands over shop doors, the smell of sweets from street stalls. People sit out front chatting, kids run past with sparklers, and it feels more relaxed. If you’ve got time, take one of the evening boats on Lake Pichola. You’re away from the noise, but you can watch the shoreline light up while you sit back. It’s still busy everywhere, but not in that crushed, shoulder-to-shoulder way you get in Delhi or Varanasi.
5. Join the Community Celebrations in Amritsar
The thing that Amritsar is most famous for is the Golden Temple. It’s the heart of the city, and during Diwali it’s where everyone seems to end up. The timing makes it even more special because the Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas is celebrated on the same day, so the city’s marking two big occasions at once. That means more lights, more visitors, and a constant buzz around the main temple area from morning until late at night.
The streets leading to the temple are busy but full of life — stalls frying jalebis and pakoras, chai sellers pouring cup after cup, and shops staying open well past midnight. Inside the complex, the pace shifts. People sit quietly on the marble, share prasad (a warm, sweet dish made with ghee, wheat flour, and sugar, given as a blessing), and listen to temple music. Step back outside and you’re straight back into the noise and movement. It’s a lot to take in, but that mix of calm and chaos is what makes Diwali in Amritsar so memorable, especially for travellers.
6. Shop the Festival Bazaars in Mumbai
Mumbai goes all out for Diwali. Crawford Market, Colaba Causeway, Dadar among other markets come alive with diyas, marigold strings and rangoli powders that are crammed next to shelves that house an assortment of sweets. The crowds are constant, but the energy is great. There is plenty of chatter and haggling, people pausing to snack while they shop.
If you’re up for it, bargaining here is part of the fun. You’ll hear stallholders call out prices and customers haggling till they settle for a price. Even if you don’t buy much, it’s nice to just walk around and do window shopping. When all the shopping is done, street vendors with hot snacks and sweet chai are always there to provide a boost. Plus, markets stay open late during Diwali week, so you can take your time without feeling rushed.
7. Light Up the Night in Goa
In Goa, Diwali isn’t about the lights and markets — the thing everyone talks about is Naraka Chaturdashi. For a few days before, you’ll spot massive papier mache demons being built in backyards and street corners. Some look terrifying, some look like they’ve been mashed together at the very last minute. On the day, they’re dragged out, paraded around, and then set on fire at dawn. It’s loud, smoky, and over faster than you expect, but people stick around to talk and laugh about whose effigy was the best.
After that, the pace drops. By evening, a lot of people drift to the beach. Not for any huge event, just to watch fireworks go up here and there. If you’re hungry, the shacks are serving whatever came off the boats that day, plus the usual festive sweets. It’s more low-key than the big city Diwali scene, but you end up feeling like you’re in on something local, not just passing through. It’s truly a great place to celebrate Diwali with a twist.
Celebrate Diwali in India Your Way
Ultimately, there is no one “right” way to do Diwali in India. You could be in a packed street in Jaipur watching fireworks, sitting on the steps in Varanasi with a cup of chai, or working your way through plates of snacks in Mumbai. Sure, the big sights are amazing but it’s these smaller unscripted moments that sometimes stick in your mind much longer.
Forget trying to see everything. Pick a place, settle in, and go with whatever comes your way. Maybe that’s joining a crowd, maybe it’s sitting around with locals and swapping stories, or maybe it’s eating something you can’t even name but know you’ll miss later. The best bits usually aren’t planned — they just happen.
So, celebrate Diwali your way this year. There are no rules, just fun, light, good food, and the kind of memories you’ll still be talking about long after you’re home.
Travel responsibly and keep your carbon footprint to the minimum!
