Popular Places to Celebrate Diwali in India 2026 Guide

Where to celebrate Diwali in India is a bigger question than it sounds, because every city lights it differently. Lakhs of diyas glow along the Saryu in Ayodhya, the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi turns the whole ghat gold, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar shines on its own reflection—the best places to celebrate Diwali in India let you catch more than one of them in 2026.

The dates decide how much you get to see, and they matter more than most travellers expect. Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, with Dhanteras on 6 November. Ayodhya’s Deepotsav is expected on 7 November, so a trip planned only for the 8th could miss its biggest evening.

From Diwali's grand celebrations to regional fairs and cultural festivals, India's calendar offers plenty of reasons to travel. You can explore our other events and festival tour packages to discover destinations worth visiting throughout the year.

For this Diwali, here are the 10 best places to celebrate it, with what to see and how many days to give each, so your dates and your destination line up.

Important: Diwali falls on 8 November 2026. Varanasi's Dev Deepawali is a separate celebration on 24 November 2026, so plan your trip according to the event you want to attend.

According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana after 14 years in exile and his victory over Ravana. The townspeople welcomed them with rows of earthen lamps, and Ayodhya is the one place where you can see that scene played out at city scale. For 2026, the festivities are expected to run from 6 November to Diwali on 8 November.

What to experience

• Shobha Yatra: The celebrations of Diwali in Ayodhya are expected to open with a Ramayana tableau procession from Saket College to Ram Katha Park.
• Deepotsav at Ram Ki Paidi: Lakhs of diyas are lit along the Saryu ghats, followed by the Saryu Maha Aarti. The main evening is expected on 7 November.
• Light and drone show: Recent editions have paired the aarti with projection and drone displays over the river, so check the official line-up for this year.
• Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir: Diwali morning begins with diyas at the sanctum, and the city lights up with fireworks later.

Plan it: For a Diwali trip in India built around Ayodhya, stay three days, 6 to 8 November, to catch the procession, the main Deepotsav and Diwali at the temple. Book stays and trains early, and confirm each event’s date and timing with the official announcements closer to the day.

WanderOn Pro Tip: Reach Ram Ki Paidi by 5:30 PM, as the ghat fills quickly ahead of the aarti. It takes place between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, varying slightly by season.

Varanasi’s Diwali celebration in India begins with Dhanteras on 6 November, peaks on Diwali evening on 8 November, and carries into Annakut at the temples. The star attraction is the golden idol of Goddess Annapurna, shown only for a few days each year, and with the Ganga Aarti it makes Varanasi the best city to celebrate Diwali in India for travellers who prefer temple visits.

What to experience

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Begin your morning at one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India, then walk to Annapurna, so both fit into one morning.
• Annapurna Temple: Take the golden idol darshan during the festival window, and receive the coin prasad.
• Dashashwamedh Ghat: Attend the evening Ganga Aarti.
• Old city lanes: Browse brassware, silk and sweets as Dhanteras shopping begins.

Plan it: Stay two to three days, from 6 to 8 November, and confirm the darshan dates with the temple.

WanderOn Pro Tip: Go for the Annapurna darshan early morning, when queues are shorter.

Among the places to celebrate Diwali in India, Amritsar gives the festival a different meaning. Sikhs observe Bandi Chhor Divas to remember the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the sixth Sikh Guru, from Mughal imprisonment in Gwalior.

He secured the freedom of 52 other princes along with his own. The Golden Temple, also called Harmandir Sahib, is lit up after dark, its reflection settles on the sarovar, and devotees gather for prayers and kirtan.

What to experience

• Golden Temple: Go once in daylight and again after dark to see how differently the complex feels.
• The sarovar: Walk the parikrama around the water when the illuminations are on.
• Kirtan: Sit in on the hymn singing inside the complex, even for a short while.
• Heritage Street: Come for the old-city surroundings and Amritsari food.

Plan it: Two days are comfortable. Allow extra time for entry and security, cover your head inside the gurdwara and follow the footwear rules.

WanderOn Pro Tip: Eat at the langar before you leave. The community kitchen is open to everyone & is part of the Golden Temple experience.

Goa celebrates Diwali with a tradition most visitors have never seen, which makes it one of the more unusual Diwali destinations in India. Neighbourhoods build large effigies of Narakasura, the demon Lord Krishna defeated, and burn them before Diwali morning. Many towns hold effigy competitions, and some versions of the story credit Satyabhama as well.

What to experience

• Narkasur effigies: Look for displays and competitions in Panaji and nearby towns.
• Preparation work: Visit the lanes where groups are still building and painting their figures.
• Diwali morning rituals: See how Goan households begin the day, from oil baths to sweets.
• Beaches and heritage sites: Add a coastal stretch or a Latin Quarter walk once the festival nights are done.

Plan it: The main effigy burning is expected on the night of 7 November into the early hours of 8 November. Stay three to four days, close to where you plan to watch. It is one of the few places to celebrate Diwali in India where the main event comes the night before.

Much of India worships Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali evening. Bengal turns to Goddess Kali. In Kolkata, Kali Puja brings decorated pandals, large idols, offerings and community worship that carries on well past midnight. The energy is closer to Durga Puja than to a typical Diwali.

What to experience

• Kali Puja pandals: Choose a few community pujas and spend real time at each to appreciate the idols and decoration.
• Worship at the pandals: Catch the evening aarti and offerings, and keep to the edges so devotees can pray undisturbed.
• Neighbourhood celebrations: Walk the lanes in areas where residents have gone all out with lighting.
• Bengali sweets: Stopping by Girish Ch. Dey & Nakur Ch. Nandy or Balaram Mullick & Radharaman Mullick to treat yourself to their legendary, melt-in-your-mouth sandesh and mishti.

Plan it: Give Kolkata two to three days with some heritage sightseeing included. Check local announcements for puja locations and access.

WanderOn Pro Tip: Explore fewer pandals properly. Trying to cover every popular puja in one night leaves you stuck in traffic.

Jaipur is among the best places to celebrate Diwali in India when you want the festival and a heritage holiday in one trip. The old city’s bazaars are known for jewellery, textiles and handicrafts, and the sandstone streets make a solid backdrop for festive decorations. There is no single ritual to chase here. You come for the markets, the food and the setting.

What to experience

• Johari Bazaar: Browse the jewellery shops and the lanes around them.
• Bapu Bazaar: Look for block-printed textiles, juttis and Rajasthani handicrafts.
• The Pink City’s old quarters: Walk the walled city to see its original street layout.
• Rajasthani food: Try dal baati churma and festive sweets at famous local eateries like Rawat Misthan Bhandar, and Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar (LMB).

Plan it: Two to three days cover the main places to visit in Diwali, from Johari Bazaar to the old quarters. Shop in the morning when bazaars are calmer, and check local announcements for lighting displays and market timings.

WanderOn Pro Tip: Compare prices at a few shops before buying, and take proper bills for jewellery from established stores. After 8+ years of planning trips, we’d say a short shopping list saves an afternoon of aimless wandering.

Udaipur is for travellers who want a quiet Diwali vacation in India without the crowds. The Lake Pichola, the palaces and the old-city lanes already do the work, and the festive season adds a warm glow to the evenings. You will not find a large public ritual here, which sets it apart from other places to celebrate Diwali in India. What you get is a relaxed stay in a historic city with good food and views across the water.

What to experience

• Lake Pichola: Spend an evening at the waterfront with the palace buildings in view.
• The old city: Wander the narrow lanes for shops, cafes and traditional neighbourhoods.
• City Palace: Tour the City Palace complex to learn about the Mewar dynasty.
• Rajasthani dining: Book a table for a proper local meal, ideally with a lake view.

Plan it: Two to three days are enough. Book lake-view stays early, and ask your hotel if it is hosting a Diwali dinner.

WanderOn Pro Tip: Visit City Palace in the morning when it is cooler and quieter, and save the lakefront for sunset. OurRajasthan tour packages keep the fixed group sizes with slow pace, which is the whole point of choosing Udaipur.

Delhi is the easiest Diwali trip in India to organise. Flights and trains arrive from everywhere, stays range from budget to luxury, and the festive atmosphere comes through its markets, seasonal food and decorated neighbourhoods. We cannot limit it to a single citywide event to build the trip around. Explore our guide toDiwali in Delhi for the full list of events.

What to experience

• Dilli Haat: Check for seasonal bazaars, handicrafts and cultural activities.
• Traditional markets: Head to Chandni Chowk for sweets and dry fruits, Sarojini Nagar for clothes and Lajpat Nagar for festive décor and gifts.
• Old Delhi and heritage sites: Pair a festive outing with Humayun’s Tomb or the Red Fort.
• Street food: Sample seasonal sweets like Gajar ka Halwa at Shyam Sweets and chaat at popular stalls like Prabhu Chaat Bhandar.

Plan it: Two to three days make a good city break. Confirm opening hours and look for confirmed festive bazaars before you go.

WanderOn Pro Tip: Use the Metro between markets and monuments, as festive traffic slows everything else. Delhi also works as the first stop of a longer trip, with Kanatal, Tirthan Valley or Udaipur easy to add on.

Madurai shows a side of the Diwali celebration in India that the north rarely does. In Tamil Nadu, Deepavali celebrations focus on the early morning of Naraka Chaturdashi. Families begin with an oil bath, put on new clothes, share sweets and offer prayers. The Meenakshi Amman Temple, with its tall gopurams, makes Madurai a major cultural stop among the Diwali travel destinations India offers.

What to experience

• Meenakshi Amman Temple: Explore the architecture and sculpture, keeping darshan timings and access rules in mind.
• Streets around the temple: Visit the markets such as Mattuthavani Flower Market for flowers, explore textiles and brass lamps at East Avani Moola & East Chithirai Street.
• Tamil festive food: Try murukku and adhirasam, sweets and savouries made for Deepavali at places like Prema Vilas, and Arvind Chettinad Snacks.
• Local customs: Ask your host or guide how their family marks the day.

Plan it: Two days are enough, longer if you add the rest of Tamil Nadu. Confirm temple timings, as festival schedules can change access.

Gwalior earns its place among Diwali celebration places in India because of Guru Hargobind Sahib. Gwalior Fort is where he was held before his release along with 52 princes, the event Sikhs remember on Bandi Chhor Divas. If Amritsar is where the day is celebrated, Gwalior is where the story began

What to experience

• Gwalior Fort: Explore the fort complex and its monuments.
• Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor Sahib: Visit respectfully to learn about its link to the Guru.
• Palaces and temples: Add the Man Singh Palace or the Sas Bahu temples if time allows.
• Local food: Try regional dishes such as bedai and kachori.

Plan it: Two days cover the main sites. Confirm gurdwara access and any special arrangements for Bandi Chhor Divas before you visit.

WanderOn Pro Tip: Read the Guru’s story before you go, or hire a licensed guide at the fort. The context turns a hill fort into a place with a story, and the trip pairs well with Amritsar.

1. Book early: Ayodhya, Varanasi and Amritsar get booked out quickly around the festival. Reserve stays and long-distance trains well in advance.
2. Plan around traffic and restrictions: Many cities divert or close roads near markets, ghats and temples on Dhanteras and Diwali evenings. Follow local police advisories, head out early and walk the last stretch where you can.
3. Keep buffer time: Allow an extra hour for airport and station transfers on 6 to 8 November. The return rush on 9 and 10 November is just as heavy, so book your way back early too.
4. Respect local customs: Follow the rules at temples and gurdwaras, dress modestly and ask before photographing worshippers.
5. Carry the basics: Keep some cash handy for small vendors, temple offerings and local rides, as UPI and ATMs can be slow in festival crowds. A power bank and comfortable footwear are worth packing for long days on your feet. A mask helps too, especially in Delhi, where post-Diwali air can turn smoky.