India’s Festival of Lights 2025: Your Essential Diwali Travel Guide

If you’re planning a trip to India during Diwali, you’re in for an unforgettable experience. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of India’s most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals, marked by glittering lamps, colorful rangoli, fireworks, and joyous family gatherings. Whether you want to explore bustling city streets, participate in traditional rituals, or witness the spectacular riverfront celebrations in Varanasi, this guide covers everything you need to know to make the most of your Diwali travels.

The History and Significance of Diwali

Diwali is rooted in ancient Indian mythology and is celebrated across religions, primarily Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, though each observes it differently. For Hindus, the festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. In North India, Diwali commemorates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his triumph over the demon king Ravana. Meanwhile, in Gujarat, people honor the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, lighting up homes to invite her blessings.

Traditionally, Diwali spans five days, each with its own rituals. The main night, called Lakshmi Puja, involves worshiping the goddess of wealth, lighting oil lamps (diyas), exchanging sweets, and enjoying fireworks. Across India, streets and homes shine with a mesmerizing glow, making it a photographer’s and traveler’s dream.

Family, Feasts, and Profound Rituals: The Heart of Diwali

At its core, the Festival of Lights is a deeply personal and familial celebration, rooted in traditions of spiritual renewal and joy. Weeks before, homes undergo ritualistic spring cleaning (safai), symbolizing the sweeping away of impurities and preparing for the arrival of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and Ganesha (remover of obstacles).

Homes are then transformed with vibrant mango leaves, marigold garlands (torans), and intricate rangoli designs crafted from colored powders or petals at doorways, believed to invite good fortune. The central ritual involves lighting diyas (earthen oil lamps) along windows and courtyards, symbolizing the triumph of knowledge over ignorance and light over spiritual darkness.

The main night features Lakshmi Puja, a family ceremony after sunset, offering fruits, flowers, and sweets to the deities. This is followed by joyous exchanges of gifts and the sharing of abundant homemade Diwali sweets (mithai) like ladoos and barfis, reinforcing kinship.

Beyond the home, communities celebrate with public displays. Temples are adorned, and the air crackles with firecrackers, believed to ward off evil. Many cities host vibrant Diwali melas (fairs) and cultural performances, transforming the private observance into an electrifying public affirmation of hope and renewal.

Where to Experience Diwali in India

North India

• Varanasi: Perhaps the most iconic Diwali destination. The ghats along the Ganges River are illuminated with millions of diyas, and temples host elaborate aartis (rituals with lamps and chants).
• Jaipur and Delhi: Markets sparkle with lights, and the city streets are a riot of color, music, and fireworks.

South India

• Mysore and Chennai: Celebrate Diwali with royal processions, elephant parades, and local sweets, alongside traditional lamp-lighting ceremonies.

West India

• Mumbai and Gujarat: Streets are alive with cultural events, community feasts, and firework displays, alongside Lakshmi Puja in homes.

Experiencing Diwali from the River: A Unique Perspective

For travelers looking for an unforgettable vantage point, Dev Diwali in Varanasi offers a magical riverfront experience. According to a local travel agent, experiencing the festival from a boat changes everything:

“Experiencing Dev Diwali from the river gives you a completely different perspective. You avoid the heavy crowds on the ghats; it’s much safer, and you get uninterrupted views of all the highlights across the riverfront—many of which are impossible to see by walking, since several ghats are blocked off during the festival. From the boat, you can take in the grand scale of millions of diyas lighting up the entire crescent-shaped ghats, the sound of chants and bells traveling across the water, and the fireworks bursting above the skyline. The river becomes the perfect vantage point where everything unfolds before your eyes—the rituals, the aarti, the laser and light shows, and the sheer beauty of Varanasi illuminated in its full glory.”

Guests also love that the experience is thoughtfully designed: boats are deliberately under capacity for comfort, and there are no rigid time limits, allowing travelers to enjoy every moment.

“Dev Diwali is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many guests felt goosebumps, emotions welling up, even tears of joy. It’s beautiful to see people immersed in the festival, letting their inner child come alive as they watch the ghats glowing with millions of diyas.”

Even the onboard meal enhances the journey. Traditional dishes from Varanasi’s oldest eateries are served with storytelling, blending heritage, history, and taste. Desserts are presented in earthen cups, preserving authenticity and hygiene.

Practical Tips for Diwali Travelers

1. Plan your itinerary around local events: Firework timings and temple ceremonies can shift, so check schedules in advance.
2. Stay near celebration hubs: Cities like Varanasi, Jaipur, and Delhi allow you to soak in the festival without long commutes.
3. Carry cash and small denominations: Markets are bustling, and digital payments aren’t always reliable.
4. Travel light and dress for comfort: With crowds and rituals, mobility is key.
5. Capture moments respectfully: Photography is welcome, but always be mindful of cultural sensitivities.

Embark on Your Diwali Journey

Diwali is more than just lights and fireworks; it’s an immersive cultural experience that offers insight into India’s history, spirituality, and community life. Whether you wander the illuminated streets, participate in temple rituals, or enjoy the serene magic from a riverboat in Varanasi, the Festival of Lights promises memories that last a lifetime. For travelers, embracing the rituals, colors, and flavors of Diwali opens a window into the heart of India—one glowing diya at a time.