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.

Elephants, symbols of wisdom and wealth, often appear in Diwali decor and iconography, reflecting their sacred link to Lakshmi, who is frequently depicted with them as harbingers of good fortune.

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).

Along with cleaning, families refresh their lives in symbolic ways such as buying new clothes, decorating with fresh flowers, and sometimes even purchasing gold or silver jewelry to attract prosperity in the new year. It’s also believed to be an auspicious time to start new ventures, as Diwali marks a new financial year in many parts of India.

Homes are then transformed with vibrant mango leaves, marigold garlands (torans), and intricate rangoli (colorful floor art) 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. Some sweets even have symbolic meanings, rich treats made from ghee, nuts, and milk reflect abundance and gratitude.

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.
Beyond the fun and festivities, Diwali carries a profound message, celebrating light, hope, and wisdom over darkness.

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

Diwali from a boat | Photo by: Varanasi Guru

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. From the very start, the boat lets you avoid the heavy crowds on the ghats, so you stay much safer while enjoying uninterrupted views of the riverfront. Views you simply can’t get on foot, especially since several ghats close during the festival. From this vantage point, you witness millions of diyas lighting up the crescent-shaped ghats, hear chants and bells drifting across the water, and watch fireworks bursting above the skyline.

“Altogether, the river becomes the perfect viewpoint where everything unfolds before your eyes. The rituals, the aarti, the laser and light shows, and the breathtaking glow of Varanasi illuminated at its finest,” he added.

Furthermore, guests appreciate how thoughtfully the experience is designed: boats deliberately run under capacity for comfort, and flexible timing allows travelers to savor every moment.

“As a result, many people describe Dev Diwali as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Guests often felt goosebumps, emotions rising, even tears of joy. Time and again, it’s beautiful to see people truly immersed in the festival, letting their inner child come alive as the ghats shimmer with millions of diyas.”

Even more, the onboard meal elevates the journey. Traditional dishes from Varanasi’s oldest eateries come served with storytelling, blending heritage, history, and flavor. To complete the experience, desserts arrive in earthen cups, preserving both authenticity and hygiene.

Practical Tips for Diwali Travelers

Plan your itinerary around local events: Firework timings and temple ceremonies can shift, so check schedules in advance.
Stay near celebration hubs: Cities like Varanasi, Jaipur, and Delhi allow you to soak in the festival without long commutes.
Carry cash and small denominations: Markets are bustling, and digital payments aren’t always reliable.
Travel light and dress for comfort: With crowds and rituals, mobility is key.
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; instead, it’s an immersive cultural experience that offers deep insight into India’s history, spirituality, and community life. Whether you choose to wander the illuminated streets, participate in temple rituals, or even enjoy the serene magic from a riverboat in Varanasi, the Festival of Lights ultimately promises memories that last a lifetime.

From the golden shimmer of new beginnings to the glow of a single diya, Diwali invites you to celebrate the victory of light, hope, and knowledge. One spark at a time.

Affiliate disclaimer: Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the work we do in creating thoughtful travel stories and guides. We only recommend products, services, and experiences that we believe bring genuine value to travelers.