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Diwali Celebrations 2024: How different Indian States celebrate Diwali

Diwali, Deepavali, Dewali, Diyari…… as many names exist for this festival in India, every state also takes on its unique, vibrant hue during the biggest festival of lights! As you journey to different parts of India, you’ll find a whole new perspective on the true meaning of Diwali celebrations.

Diwali festival in India brings with it the promise of bright colours, mouthwatering sweets, and a house and heart full of love. This year, why not try out something new? Celebrate this Diwali with a spark of newness by discovering the Diwali traditions each state follows to incorporate some excitement into your yearly festivities!

The Spiritual and Bright Dev Deepavali in Uttar Pradesh

Lighting up the Ganga with floating diyas.
Image credit: Snehal Jeevan Pailkar/Shutterstock

Uttar Pradesh is one of India’s best states to visit during Diwali- Festival of Lights, to multiply your blessings by taking a holy dip in the Ganga River. This ritual is called Kartik Sanan, which cleanses your soul and bestows good fortune for the coming year!

The river is a spectacle to behold, with thousands of diyas bobbing along the water’s surface as the sun rises in the distance. Get our Uttar Pradesh Tour package and visit the Amar Jawan Jyoti ceremony, where patriotic speeches are given and songs sung to honour the martyrs who made Diwali celebrations possible in India!

You can also book a cheap hotel in Uttar Pradesh around this space to admire the bright paper lamps brightening up the sky at the end of the ceremony from a higher view.

Slay Narkasur like Krishna in Goa on Nakar Chaturdasi!

Celebrating the victory of good over evil by burning the statue of Narkasur in Goa.
Image credit: knyazevfoto/Shutterstock

Goa offers a grand and dramatic perspective on Diwali, focusing on Krishna’s victory in slaying the demon Narkasur with his majestic Sudharshan Chakra. Hop on a cheap flight to Goa to begin your Diwali festivities by joining the parade, whose preparations begin right after Dussehra!

People from all religions come together to participate in competitions in South Goa, creating 25-foot-tall figures of Narkasur stuffed with fireworks that are blown up to welcome Diwali by turning all evil into ash. While the competitions are at the forefront of Diwali celebrations, Goa also offers a beachy escape unlike any other to burst crackers and enjoy festive drinking and dancing, which you can discover with our all-inclusive Goa Tour packages.

Also read: Top Six Cool Places to Stay in Goa.

Celebrate Two Diwalis in Himachal Pradesh

Women making rangoli in preparation for Diwali.
Image credit: Olana22/Shutterstock

Enjoy 2x sweets, crackers, fun, and love by booking a Himachal Pradesh tour package this Diwali! The state celebrates the first Diwali celebrations with the rest of the country and another festive week of Diwali, called the Buddhi Diwali, after a lunar month, which begins with singing the popular folk song, going along the lines of “Mole ri molaiye keri molaye, hato gaunbe kotiyon debi durga mayi.”

The Buddhi Diwali celebrations continue for a whole week, including a ceremony of lighting huge fire torches made from the barks of cedar or pine trees. The fire is meant to drive away evil and symbolize a new bright energy. It is a celebration of tradition, with the sharing of delicious local treats like Mura and freshly-grown walnuts and retellings of the Mahabharat and Ramayana in local languages.

Pathar ka Mela is also a popular local Diwali celebration that you must see for some excitement at Dhami.

Grab big discounts on Flights to Dharamsala

Maharashtra: An Animal Lovers Diwali

Women worshipping cow and calf on Vasu Baras to begin Diwali celebrations.
Image credit: Sumit Saraswat/Shutterstock

Compared to Diwali celebrations across India, Maharashtra begins its festivities with a heart-warming celebration of worshipping the cow and calf. This tradition is called Vasu Baras, and women perform a puja to honour these gentle animals.

Dhanteras is also widely celebrated in Maharashtra, where the women make flour divas for men in the household. Hop on a cheap flight to Maharashtra to save money so you can purchase discounted gold on Dhanteras! You can also get a comprehensive Maharashtra Tour package to explore the state and participate in the grand Lakshmi Pujas. Book some of the best hotels in Mumbai to admire the view of fireworks from Marine Drive at nighttime this Diwali.

An Early Deepavali in Tamil Nadu

Pilgrims visiting Meenakshi Temple on Diwali.
Image credit: CRS PHOTO/Shutterstock

Want to celebrate two Diwalis this year? Book a cheap flight to Chennai before visiting any other dream Diwali destination in India! You can enjoy the Diwali rituals in India in Tamil Nadu, a day before it’s celebrated anywhere else in the country as per the Tamil calendar.

Diwali celebrations in Tamil Nadu begin with bathing yourself in oil before sunrise, believed to provide good fortune akin to dipping in the Ganga. Tamil Nadu celebrates a Diwali full of diyas, fireworks, eye-catching rangoli designs, and sweet dishes, like Tirunelveli Halwa, Palkova, and Adhirasam. Explore Madhurai’s famous Meenakshi Temple, Rameshwaram, and Thanjavur for a religious taste of Diwali with our Tamil Nadu Tour packages!

Learn more about the Festival of Lights in India. Read Celebrating Diwali the Festival of Lights in India.

Dedicate your Night to Mata Kali in West Bengal

Statue of the Goddess Kali
Image credit: SandS Creative/Shutterstock

One of the best ways to celebrate Diwali is to attend the Kali Mata Pujas in Bengal, which are grander than any Diwali celebrations in different parts of India! Most states only offer pujas to the Goddess Lakshmi, but West Bengal worships the Goddess Kali, the epitome of destruction, to destroy the darkness of the past.

Watch the streets come alive with the chants of “Om Kali, Om Kali” on Diwali, decorated with yellow marigold flowers and colourful rangolis. Get a West Bengal Tour package on your visit to explore the different idol statues displayed all over the state!

Jaipur’s Pink Streets & Bustling Markets in Rajasthan

Jaipur market
Image credit: PabouV/Shutterstock

The pink architecture of Jaipur stands as a vibrant background to the bustling markets put up during the Diwali celebrations! The Johri Bazar sells authentic hand-made jewellery, and Chandpol Bazar, known for its marble sculptures and handloom artistry, captures the hearts of all tourists during the Diwali celebrations.

When will you find another great time to visit the Ram Mandir Temple at Ayodhya and marvel at its splendour besides the Diwali season? Book the best hotels in Jaipur close to the temple to explore when it’s least crowded! Jaipur’s forts are also a must-add destination to your bucket list, which you can easily access on Diwali with a Jaipur tour package to admire the culture and history, with breathtaking city views!

Will there be any unique Diwali celebrations organized in your state in 2024? Tell us more in the comments!

Looking for cheap flights to Jaipur? Click here

FAQs- Diwali Celebrations

How is Diwali celebrated in different states of India?
Every state has its unique Diwali celebrations, for example, the worshipping of cows in Maharashtra, festival markets in Rajasthan, and two Diwalis in Himachal Pradesh.

What is the difference between Diwali in North India and South India?
Diwali celebrations in North India commemorate the return of Lord Ram, with his wife Site and brother from a 14-year forest exile. South India sees Diwali as a celebration of the triumphant victory of Lord Krishna over the Narkasur.

Which state has the best Diwali?
Visitors consider Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to have the best Diwali, as they can take a soul-cleansing dip in the River Ganga in preparation for the new year.

What is Diwali called in South India?
Diwali is known as Deepavali in South India.

In which state is Durga Puja celebrated?
Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam. Other states worship Lord Rama for his victory over Ravana.

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