Everything You Need to know about Celebrating Diwali in India

Diwali is one of the most enchanting Hindu festivals of all times, one can actually have a gala time at this festival of lights that will surely win over your heart and make you believe in magic and warmth!  If you are looking forward to visiting India during Diwali, then this is going to be one amazing idea! This is one of the most beautiful festivals of all times with everything set up in the beautiful lights, the air filled with the aroma of sweets, a perfect excuse for the entire family to come together and celebrate this joyous festival which is one of its kinds. There are some inexplicable joys that one can attach to the sentiments of Diwali that make it such a beautiful affair. Diwali is also known by the name of the ‘festival of lights’, Diwali is no doubts, the biggest festival in India and is majorly celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains all over the world. So, one can actually make way for some blissful memories this Diwali which is going to be celebrated on 7th November 2018 all over India.

We have your back in letting you celebrate this festival with a lot of happiness and delight. Let yourself be let in on this journey of how Diwali is celebrated in India.

( Must Read - All You Need To Know About the Festival of Lights, Diwali )

Why is Diwali celebrated in India?

Diwali is celebrated to celebrate the homecoming of Lord Rama along with Sita as well as Laxman after they were on a long exile of fourteen years. Diwali actually means a row of lights; this is one beautiful festival on which Diyas are lit up by the people of Ayodhya in order to welcome their King, Rama who came home after defeating the evil Ravana. Also, as per some people, this is a beautiful festival that is celebrated to celebrate the wedding of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

In almost the entire India, one would find people worshiping Lord Ganesha as well as Goddess Lakshmi on the day to Diwali to get happiness and prosperity, Lord Ganesha is known to be the lord of happiness and well being whereas Goddess Lakshmi is known to be the harbinger of money and prosperity.  The Jains also celebrate Diwali but for them, Diwali is the day to celebrate the anniversary of Nirvana which is actually the liberation of Mahavira’s soul in Jainism. Also, in West Bengal, Diwali is celebrated to worship the mighty Goddess Kali who is the symbol of Shakti that means power as well as energy.

Which are the best places to celebrate Diwali in India?

Diwali is actually one of the best and the most major Hindu festivals of all times, this festival is majorly celebrated on the third. This festival is celebrated with a lot of grandeur and is a wonderful excuse to unite the entire country together weaving them in the colourful thread of joy and happiness. This festival marks the victory of good over evil and is one of those festivals that is celebrated by exchanging sweets, holding parties, doing the worships, cleaning the houses and also shopping a lot, some people also shop for gold and silver jewelry on this festival.

Jaipur:

This is one of the most culturally rich places of India that one would ever find! This is one of the best places in India to celebrate Diwali. This city is gorgeously lit up at the time of Diwali making it a sight to behold. One would feel love in the warmth of the lamps that light up the streets, buildings, shops, hones, etc. This pink city will make you fall in love with itself this Diwali and let you believe in the heavenly beauty that would surround you.

Amritsar:

Amritsar is one of the best places that one can celebrate Diwali being in, this is one of the most magical place to experience Diwali at its best. One would get to see the entire city lit up by the wonderful Diyas on the day of Diwali. The most famous site in Amritsar has to be the Golden Temple, and this site is wonderfully lit up on the day of Diwali making it a sight to remember. Also, one would enjoy the sight of the Diyas on the lake that is truly mesmerizing and is a beautiful sight to witness for the onlookers.

Goa:

Well, if you are someone who is a lot more happening and somebody who likes breaking the stereotypes, then Goa is the perfect place to be in for you. This place is truly magical that will let you enjoy two major things while you celebrate Diwali in Goa, one being the witness to the famous Narakasura as well as the other which is gambling. This is one interesti9ng aspect about Diwali in Goa as it is celebrated by the destruction of the demon Narakasura by the mighty lord Krishna. Every6 year there are some competitions that are held in various villages as well as the cities where people compete making effigies of the demon and whoever makes the biggest and the most grand effigy wins the competition. These effigies are later burnt at the dawn on Narakasura Chaturdashi, which is the day before the main day of Diwali that most people know by the name of ‘Badi Diwali’. Also, as we all know, gambling is one really famous activity that is celebrated during Diwali, so you might want to try your luck in the top casinos of Goa.

Varanasi:

Well, Varanasi is one of those places that is incredibly famous for being a wonderfully spiritual retreat, those who have been to the ghats of Varanasi in the evenings, still swear by the beauty of this destination that is wonderfully lit up at the time of evenings with all those Diyas that make it incredibly beautiful. On Diwali, this place is a different sight altogether with the wonderful fireworks adding to the beautiful chaos. If you get to stay in some hotel that has the view of Holy Ganga, you will be enamored by the glistening views of the Ganga with the fireworks adding to its beauty.

Kolkata:   

Kolkata is also known as the city of joy that is truly whimsical and wonderful offering you the best of everything. This is one place that has its own way of celebrating Diwali and its way is truly overwhelming and one of its kinds that will totally blow your minds away. Get the best of Diwali being here, celebrating it in a different manner. In Kolkata, Diwali is celebrated around the same time as Kali puja which is a way to celebrate the Hindu goddess in all her glory. The Goddess is associated with a lot of power of creativity and at this time, the entire place is lit up with electric bulbs, fairy lights, candles, Diyas that make this festival grand and promising. 

Mumbai:

There are a lot of Indian cities that celebrate Diwali in an epic style with everything in place that is needed to make your Diwali grand and beautiful. However, it is Mumbai which is truly spectacular in making your Diwali dreams comes to life as you celebrate this festival with the fast pacedness of Mumbai as you visit the famous tourist hotspots of Mumbai such as Marine Drive, there are no doubts about the fact that marine drive is the most beautiful place in Mumbai that will let you get the most beautiful sights with the fireworks exploding in the skies with sparkling waters making it so beautiful and vivid.

Where all is Diwali celebrated in the world?

Diwali is a wonderful occasion that will let you partake in everything with joy and happiness. One can find Indians gathering up in groups all over the world and celebrating this festival with a lot of enthusiasm. This festival is celebrated in a grand manner in many countries like Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, Myanmar, Trinidad, Nepal, Mauritius, Guyana, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Britain, Thailand, Fiji, and Tobago, Africa, etc but India is truly the best place to witness Diwali for which one should start their search for best India tour packages for Diwali to celebrate the festival in a grand manner.

Best foods to ruin all your diet plans and binge eat this festive season.

Well, there are some people who eat to live and there are some people who live to eat, well, if you are also someone who falls in the latter category then Diwali is going to be one fabulous excuse for you to binge on some mouth watering food without worrying about the extra kilograms that you put on, after all, what else are festivals for?!? Diwali is not just the festival of lights but is also the festival of sweets. One can binge on some o0f the best sweets while enjoying this festival. These are the sweets that you cannot miss out on while you celebrate Diwali in India.

Gulab Jamun

One of the most favoured sweet dish to savour during Diwali, Gulab Jamun will leave a wonderful aftertaste in your mouth. This sweet dish is made up of powdered or condensed milk, some butter, and flour that make this brownish red sweet have the wonderful taste that it has. This dish is one of the main Diwali staple in most homes and will truly be your favorite thing to binge on this Diwali.

Patisha

A wonderful staple of Diwali Sweets, this dish is usually the top ranker in the times of Diwali, it is one of the main sweet that people exchange on this festival. This sweet dish is actually a flaky sweet that has the garnishing of pistachio that creates an amazing taste in your mouth.

Samosa

A favorite snack that one can find on most menus to serve the guests, Samosa is truly a foodie’s delight. Whenever there are guests coming over, trust this salty snack to let you have a wonderful taste. This is one of the Samosa needs no introduction. Whether it’s Diwali celebration in India or any other festival, Samosa is always there. This snack can be made in a variety of forms with the contemporary stuffing of potatoes to the best and exotic stuffing ever, you just need to ask what you want and you will have a Samosa made that ways.

Malpua

Malpua is another sweet dish that is majorly consumed in the states of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar, etc. Malpua is actually a sweet pancake that is made by dipping it in the sugar syrup.

Anarsa

Anarsa ion authentic Maharashtrian sweet dish, Anarsa is a pastry-like snack prepared especially on Diwali.

Karanjis

A sweet snack to binge eat, this dessert of Maharashtra is truly magical and is made by the stuffing of khoya, dried fruits and suji.

Cholafali

Cholafali is not as popular as samosa though but that doesn’t mean that it is not yummy enough, it truly is. One bite into cholafali and you will fall in love. This is one wonderful snack that is spicy and fluffy and is made by using mixed flours and authentic spices of Gujarat.

Murukku

Well, if you think that Diwali as a festival is limited to only North India, and then you are mistaken, Diwali is a grand affair in South India as well. Especially in places like Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a special dish Murukku is prepared which adds to the flavours of South India. Murukku is delicious snack which is deep fried and is made up of lentils and rice flour.

Ukkarai

Ukkarai is another dish to savour that is a sweet dish made up of jiggery and gram flour and will be savoured by you because of its overwhelming taste; this dish is made by the Brahmins of Tamil Nadu and will leave a wonderful aftertaste in your mouth.

Precautions that you need to keep in mind while you celebrate Diwali

• Make sure to not wear any synthetic fabrics and stick to cotton clothes only.
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy along with that you must keep a first aid kit in sight with everything that might be needed in case of any mishap.
• Never let your kids burn crackers in closed areas.
• Don’t let kids be unattended while they burn aerial fireworks.
• Never let yourself or your kids burn crackers while keeping them in the hand.

( Also Read - Most Popular Cultural Festivals in India )

Thus, this article has it all the things that you need to know while celebrating Diwali in India. Make sure to keep all of this in mind while you celebrate this beautiful festival of lights. Get all your tour related worries be sorted by Sharp Holidays getting the best of discounts being on a holiday and celebrating your Diwali in India.