India is a land of festivals. People in India like to celebrate every occasion by merrymaking. Several festivals are celebrated in the country ranging from seasonal to religious and regional to national. All the festivals are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. One such popular festival is Diwali, The Festival of Lights. This festival is celebrated by people in different ways all across the country. While some identify it as Kali Puja , others know it as Lakshmi Puja. Moreover, it is one of the biggest and most awaited festivals in India. This festival creates an environment full of joy. It is celebrated to signify the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and brightness over darkness.
This festival of lights is observed on the new moon night, which usually falls in the month of Kartika (October/November according to Gregorian calendar). The celebrations of this festival are observed for five days, starting from Dhanteras and culminating on the day of Bhai Dooj. But the climax of the festival is observed on the third day when people indulge in festivities with great pomp and show. People belonging to different religions celebrate it for different reasons. While Hindus celebrate it as the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after living for 14 years in exile, Jains celebrate it as the occasion when Lord Mahavira attained enlightenment (Nirvana). Similarly, people belonging to other faiths observe this festival based on some other tales.
On the occasion of Diwali, people decorate their houses with decorative articles as well as light. People also make Rangoli (design prepared on the floor with colors) to embellish their homes. They wear new clothes and worship their respective deities. God Ganesha (God of wisdom and intellect) and Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth) are worshiped almost everywhere as it is believed that worshiping them brings prosperity and luck in the lives of people. People light diyas (earthen lamps) and candles to illuminate their houses and work spaces and to extend a hearty welcome to the deities. After offering prayers to the deities, people distribute sweets and gifts among their relatives, friends and neighbors. Children burn crackers at night, which creates a sparkling environment everywhere.
In case you wish to join in the celebrations of Diwali in India, you can opt for the Diwali festival of light tour, during which you will be celebrating the festival with a local Indian family along with enjoying a dinner. Moreover, this package will allow you to tour some major tourist destinations of the countries, namely Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi. So, don’t delay much and plan a Diwali Tour to India, which will let you know much more about Indian culture and beliefs.
After arriving in Delhi, our tour representative will receive you and help you in completing the formalities at the hotel booked for your stay. Then, you will enjoy sightseeing in Delhi. You will visit Raj Ghat, Red Fort, Jama Masjid and pass through the streets of Chandni Chowk. You will also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. Then you will visit India Gate and you will be driving past the President’s House, Parliament House and other Government Secretarial Buildings. Your final destination of the day will be Lakshmi Narayan Temple. Overnight stay is in Delhi.
After having breakfast in the hotel, you will depart for Jaipur. Check in at the hotel once you arrive in Jaipur. Rest of the day is at leisure. You can spend your day wandering in the local crowded streets of Jaipur. Overnight stay is in the royal city of Jaipur.
After having breakfast, you will explore the major attractions of the city. You will visit Amer Fort, Maharaja’s City Palace, Jantar Mantar ( the observatory), Hawa Mahal ( the palace of wind) and other places like the rose garden and business centers in the city. In the evening, you can enjoy shopping in the local markets. Overnight stay is in the hotel.
After having breakfast and checking out from the hotel, you will leave for Agra en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. You can visit Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and other famous edifices in Fatehpur Sikri. Then you will depart for Agra. Overnight stay is in Agra.
After having breakfast, you will initiate the sightseeing tour of Agra. You will visit Agra Fort and Taj Mahal, both of which are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also head towards the local markets of Agra for buying some souvenirs. Afterwards, you will be driven back to Delhi. Overnight stay is in Delhi.
Highlights: Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday.
After having breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel. You will be dropped at Delhi airport, from where you will catch a flight to Varanasi. After reaching Varanasi, you will be taken to your hotel where you will have some rest. Then in the evening, you will attend Ganga Aarti at the Ghats. Later on, you will celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali with an Indian family. You will also enjoy dinner with them in their home. Afterwards, you will return to the hotel for night stay.
In the early morning, you will enjoy a boat ride across the River Ganges. You will be visiting two famous ghats - Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat. The rest of the day is at leisure. Either you can visit the nearby site of Sarnath or you can relax in Varanasi only. Overnight stay is in Varanasi.
After having breakfast, you will check-out from the hotel and will be driven to Varanasi airport. Once you arrive in Delhi, you will change your terminal within the airport for your onward journey, no assistance will be provided. We hope you enjoyed your trip with us and we hope to host you again soon.
End of Diwali festival of light tour
- Take a stroll around the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi
- Soak yourself in the beauty of the Pink City, Jaipur
- Explore the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri
- Admire the beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunrise
- Partake in Diwali celebrations in Varanasi
- Accommodation with breakfast
- Transfers/visits by chosen vehicle
- Taxes and assistance
- Insurance
- Domestic airfares
- Entrances
