Diwali breaks to explore the exotic and historic parts of India

A day like no other

Diwali the festival, heralding the start of winter, has the grandest celebrations in India. You may be used to fireworks shows, but on this day all those who can afford fireworks burn them from the roof of their homes or in the parks as a group. The sounds can be difficult to bear for those who are used to quieter surroundings and there will be the smell of burnt papers till the morning. Every follower of the Hindu religion will be praying at home or joining others at their local temples. There are special prayers at the larger temples with religious music throughout the day. Most people also distribute sweets among their neighbors and those they know. As a foreigner, you may think that you will just be a spectator with all these activities going on around you, but you can join in the fun! Just try the destinations listed below for you.

City break in Delhi

India now has many major metropolitan cities, but the capital of the country is still recommended for Diwali celebrations. There are government buildings in the center of the city and you will see lighting displays over them for over a kilometer. There are many large hotels in the center of the city for accommodation, unless you are looking for cheaper options which will come in the form of smaller hotels, though security can be an issue. You can always hire a cab using the apps of the local cab companies and drive around the important parts of the city to take in the views around you. If you want to enjoy the fireworks, just get to the roof of your hotel, unless your room is already at a good height. You should not forget to taste the sweets which you will never get to taste in your country.

Varanasi for tradition

If you still think of India as an old-fashioned country of the Jungle Book, you should come to Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River to see how Diwali has been celebrated for millenniums. You will find temples along the banks of the river and priests holding Diwali lampstands with multiple lamps praying to the deities of this day. You will hear chants from ancient texts with music from bells and instruments that you may not be used to. Most people will have their palms together and you will not hear any sound other than what the priests want you to hear. The priests themselves will be in their traditional dresses with shaved heads and you will enjoy the reflection of everything in the river water.

Retreat at the Western Ghats

Diwali is a time for a break from the routine for most workers in India and some prefer to go away from the cities to quieter places in the mountains. There will be no fireworks here but there will be prayers at smaller temples. You can join them and indulge in conversations about the day, as some of them will be fluent in English, a language they have to learn to conduct business with international clients. You can go trekking in the mountains where you may find small shrines or try camping with your group along the rivers, burning wood logs for your campfire. You can even travel up to tribal areas to see how those still disconnected from the rest of the world celebrate this day.

Soul Searching in Amritsar

If you want to come closer to the real life of India, you should come to the smaller cities like Amritsar. You will be riding rickshaws and see the architecture that is very peculiar to the Indian subcontinent, no not the huts with the same shape but brick structures of different sizes with exterior paints of different colors, as per the fancy of the occupant. The city is holiest for the Sikhs with the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine in their religion. Though Sikhism is different from Hinduism, they celebrate the festival with a similar spirit. You can come for the evening prayers at the Golden Temple with lighting displays covering the entire complex, giving you a view like no other.

Going pink in Jaipur

If you are expecting a royal treatment in India, come to Jaipur in Rajasthan. Here you will find what you may have read or heard about the country. There are the palaces of the old royal families, some of which now serve as hotels. You will find forts on hills giving interesting trekking opportunities. The locals here are very serious about their religion, so you will find mud lamps burning on the doors and windows of every house till late into the night. You can go to the local bazaars where you may get to see traditional performers with performances as performed for centuries by their ancestors.

Conclusion

Diwali is the Indian version of Christmas, though it is older than it. If you want to find the right time to come to India from a Western nation, this time of the year with enough sunshine and enjoyable temperatures will suit your temperament. This vacation will be right for you if you want to brainwash yourself with so many new memories that will come your way.

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