Best Destinations You Should Travel to During Diwali

Varanasi is usually near the top of any list about where to travel to during Diwali, and understandably so. The ghats along the River Ganga glow with earthen lamps, while the evening Ganga Aarti brings together fire, bells, chants and the movement of the river. Begin with a walk through the lanes leading towards Dashashwamedh Ghat. These streets can become extremely busy, but slowing down reveals small shrines, flower sellers and sweet shops preparing for the evening. A sunrise boat ride offers a gentler view of the city. An evening ride can be visually striking, although crowd controls and local restrictions may affect access during the festive period.

Allow time for Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Assi Ghat and the quieter stretches of the riverfront. Comfortable footwear matters here because vehicles cannot enter many of the narrow lanes. Diwali and Dev Deepavali are separate occasions. Dev Deepavali is observed on Kartik Purnima, after Diwali, when the riverfront ghats are illuminated on an even larger scale. Travellers hoping to see a particular celebration should therefore check the festival calendar carefully.

Demand for Varanasi flight tickets can rise around the festive break. Booking the outward and return journeys together often makes the itinerary easier to manage. Travellers departing from Mumbai can view available Mumbai to Varanasi flights, while schedules and availability should be checked for the intended dates.

Jaipur becomes especially lively during Diwali. The historic shopping streets are decorated with lights, shops arrange elaborate festive displays, and the Pink City takes on a warmer glow after sunset. Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar are absorbing places to walk through during the festive period. Expect jewellery, textiles, traditional footwear, decorations and rows of sweet shops. The busiest evening is not necessarily the easiest time to shop, though. A morning visit offers more space to notice the details, while an evening walk is better for seeing the illuminations.

There is plenty to do beyond the markets. Amber Palace deserves an early start, particularly during a holiday weekend. City Palace and Jantar Mantar fit comfortably into the same part of the day, while Hawa Mahal is best viewed from the street in the softer morning light. Nahargarh Fort offers broad views over Jaipur, although roads approaching popular viewpoints may become crowded around sunset.

Anyone looking to book flight tickets to Jaipur will usually find that timings become more limited as Diwali approaches. Use the flight booking page to check available travel dates rather than leaving both flights and accommodation until the final week. Jaipur is also featured in this guide to the best places to visit in Rajasthan during winter, which is useful when the festive break extends into a longer Rajasthan holiday.

In Kolkata, Diwali overlaps with Kali Puja. The city’s celebration has a distinct identity, with decorated pandals, illuminated neighbourhoods and late-evening visits to temples and community displays.

Kalighat and Dakshineswar Kali Temple are important places of worship, but both can become intensely crowded. Community pandals offer another way to experience the occasion, often combining traditional imagery with imaginative lighting and temporary installations.

Kolkata is rewarding for travellers who enjoy moving through a city after dark and noticing how individual neighbourhoods interpret a festival. Keep the itinerary loose. Traffic diversions, crowds and queues can make short distances take longer than expected. A small cross-body bag and minimal valuables make walking through crowded areas considerably less awkward.

Udaipur has a gentler rhythm than some of the busier Diwali destinations. As evening arrives, lights around homes, hotels and markets reflect on the water, giving the City of Lakes a quietly festive atmosphere. It is a good fit for travellers who want to enjoy Diwali celebrations without building the entire holiday around crowded public events.

Start around the City Palace, an extensive palace complex overlooking Lake Pichola. Its courtyards, balconies, museum rooms and elevated lake views can easily occupy a few hours. From there, continue towards Jagdish Temple and walk through the surrounding lanes, where shops display textiles, silverware, handicrafts and festive decorations.

A boat ride on Lake Pichola is particularly appealing later in the day, although festive demand may make popular time slots harder to secure. Fateh Sagar Lake offers a more relaxed alternative for an evening walk, while Sajjangarh, also known as the Monsoon Palace, provides wide views across the city and the Aravalli Hills. Roads leading uphill can become congested around sunset, so an unhurried schedule helps.

Udaipur is also easy to combine with Jaipur for a longer Rajasthan itinerary. Travellers searching for affordable flight tickets can compare available dates on the flight booking page, particularly when the Diwali weekend allows some flexibility.

Ayodhya’s Diwali celebration is closely associated with the return of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to the city in the Ramayana. Large numbers of diyas illuminate the ghats and public spaces during Deepotsav, creating one of India’s most widely recognised festive spectacles.

Ram Ki Paidi is a central part of the celebration, while the Sarayu riverfront and the city’s temples draw substantial crowds. Entry arrangements, traffic restrictions and viewing areas may change from year to year. Travelling light and keeping extra time between activities makes the visit less stressful.

Ayodhya suits travellers who want to experience Diwali at a destination closely connected with the festival’s traditional story. It is also one of the occasions when securing accommodation matters nearly as much as arranging transport.