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SINCE 1989
Your Travel Partner
SINCE 1989
If Holi is loud, colourful, and physical, Diwali is something quieter but no less spectacular - a festival of light rather than colour, where entire cities are transformed after dark by oil lamps, candles, fairy lights, and fireworks. For many travellers, Diwali is the festival they’ve heard about without quite knowing what it involves, and seeing it in person tends to be one of those experiences that’s genuinely difficult to convey through photographs alone.
Diwali - sometimes written as Deepavali - means, roughly, “row of lights,” and that’s exactly what it looks like. Homes, shops, temples, and public buildings are lit with small clay lamps called diyas, alongside increasingly elaborate displays of string lights. The festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, and more broadly celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil - themes that recur across many of India’s major festivals, each told through a different story.
Diwali isn’t a single day - it’s typically a five-day festival, with each day carrying its own significance. The celebrations begin with Dhanteras, a day associated with wealth and prosperity, when many people purchase gold, silver, or new utensils. This is followed by Naraka Chaturdashi (sometimes called Choti Diwali), and then the main day - Lakshmi Puja - when homes are cleaned, decorated, and lit in preparation for Goddess Lakshmi’s visit, bringing prosperity for the year ahead.
The day after the main Diwali is Govardhan Puja, and the festival concludes with Bhai Dooj, a day celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. For travellers, this means Diwali isn’t something you simply “attend” on one evening - it’s something that builds across nearly a week, with the atmosphere intensifying as the main day approaches and continuing afterwards in a different register.
Diwali is celebrated across the entire country, but a few places offer particularly memorable versions of the festival for visitors.
Jaipur during Diwali is genuinely striking - the city’s markets, already known for their colour and energy, become even more so as shops compete with elaborate lighting displays, and the famous bazaars stay open later than usual, filled with people shopping for the festival. Many heritage hotels in Jaipur host their own Diwali celebrations, combining traditional lighting with music and festive meals.
Varanasi offers a completely different kind of Diwali experience, centred on the ghats along the Ganges. While Varanasi is known year-round for its evening Ganga Aarti ceremony, during Diwali - and particularly during Dev Deepawali, which falls about two weeks after the main festival - the ghats are lit with thousands of lamps, creating a scene that’s become one of the most photographed sights in India.
Delhi, as the capital, sees Diwali on a massive scale - markets like Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place become particularly vibrant in the days leading up to the festival, with shopping, sweets, and decorations everywhere.
Fireworks have traditionally been a major part of Diwali celebrations, and in many areas they remain so - the main Diwali night can be genuinely loud, with fireworks continuing for hours in residential areas across cities. In recent years, however, several Indian states have introduced restrictions on fireworks, partly due to concerns about air quality, particularly in cities like Delhi where pollution is already a significant issue around this time of year.
For travellers, this means the fireworks experience varies considerably depending on location and timing, and it’s worth being aware that air quality in some northern cities can be noticeably poorer during the days immediately around Diwali. Travellers with respiratory sensitivities may want to factor this into their planning, particularly for time spent in Delhi.
Diwali is, among other things, a festival built around sweets. In the weeks leading up to the festival, sweet shops across India ramp up production of an enormous range of mithai - traditional Indian sweets, many specific to particular regions, exchanged between family, friends, neighbours, and colleagues as gifts.
For travellers, this is one of the more accessible and enjoyable ways to engage with Diwali - sampling sweets that might not be available, or not made with the same care, at other times of year. Savoury snacks also feature heavily, often homemade and shared generously. A guided food experience during Diwali season - visiting sweet shops, trying regional specialities - can be a genuinely memorable addition to a trip.
A few practical points are worth knowing. Diwali is one of India’s most significant holidays, and many businesses - including some shops, offices, and services - close or operate on reduced hours around the main festival days, particularly Lakshmi Puja itself. This isn’t usually disruptive for tourist-facing services like hotels and transport, which continue to operate, but it’s worth factoring in if specific shops, markets, or experiences are part of your plans.
Accommodation in popular destinations can also be in higher demand around Diwali, as it’s a significant travel period for domestic tourism as well - many Indians travel to be with family, or take advantage of the holiday period for their own trips. Booking ahead is sensible, particularly for heritage properties in cities like Jaipur or Varanasi.
Diwali’s timing - generally late October to mid-November - falls right at the start of India’s most comfortable travel season, after the monsoon has cleared and before the coolest months of winter set in. This makes it a genuinely good time to travel more broadly, and Diwali can work well as part of a longer itinerary rather than the sole focus of a trip.
A Golden Triangle tour timed so that the Jaipur leg coincides with Diwali allows travellers to experience the festival’s lighting and markets in one of India’s most visually striking cities, while still covering Delhi and Agra’s major sights. Alternatively, a Diwali-focused itinerary built around Varanasi - particularly if timed to include Dev Deepawali about two weeks later - offers a more spiritually-focused experience centred on the Ganges.
It would be easy to describe Diwali purely in terms of its visual impact - and it is, undeniably, visually spectacular. But underneath the lights and fireworks, Diwali is fundamentally a family festival, built around home, hospitality, and the marking of a new beginning (in several parts of India, Diwali also coincides with the start of the new financial or calendar year).
For travellers, experiencing even a small part of this - being invited into a home’s Diwali celebration, sharing a meal, watching a family light diyas together - tends to leave a deeper impression than the fireworks themselves, however impressive those might be. It’s a festival that, more than most, rewards a bit of openness to the people around you, not just the spectacle in front of you.
If you’d like Diwali to form part of your India journey, we can build a private itinerary around the festival dates - whether that means experiencing the lit-up bazaars and palaces of Jaipur, the riverside lamp celebrations of Varanasi, or a broader trip that takes in Diwali as part of a longer exploration of North India. Let us know your travel dates and what you’d like to see, and we’ll design a tour built around this festival.
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My South India trip with friends was an unforgettable experience filled with vibrant culture, lush landscapes, and delicious food. We explored beautiful places like Coorg, Ooty, and Mysore, enjoying the serene beauty of the Western Ghats and the rich heritage of temples and palaces. Traveling with friends made it even more fun—late-night chats, spontaneous detours, and shared laughter added magic to the journey. The accommodations were comfortable and clean, especially the homestays that offered a warm, local touch. We booked a travel package that included transportation, guided tours, and daily breakfasts, which made everything hassle-free. The service throughout was excellent—friendly staff, prompt responses, and well-planned itineraries. This trip gave us not just memories but also a deeper appreciation for South India’s charm. I’d definitely go again!
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My trip to Rajasthan was an amazing experience, full of colorful markets, imposing forts, and a thriving culture. Every place captivated me, from the tranquil lakes of Udaipur to the imperial palaces of Jaipur. The tour was really made better by our guide, Mr. Manoj. His extensive historical knowledge, friendly demeanor, and narrative brought each monument to life. All of our inquiries were patiently addressed, and he recommended uncrowded local locations. Mukesh, our driver, was just as remarkable. We had a comfortable and secure trip thanks to his cool, competent driving through the congested cities and twisting desert roads. Mr. Manoj and Mukesh both contributed to the trip's ease, comfort, and enjoyment. I was able to enjoy Rajasthan's splendor worry-free because of them. I highly recommend Travel Plan for their services.
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Our Golden Triangle tour was planned by Travel Plan. It was a fantastic way to experience India's cultural core. We started in Delhi and saw busy markets and historic forts. Jaipur astonished us with its palaces and vibrant streets, while Agra's magnificent Taj Mahal left us in awe. What particularly impressed me was Travel Plan's outstanding service. With accuracy and consideration, they made all the arrangements, from cozy lodgings to knowledgeable local guides. The driver was kind and accommodating, and the car was spotless and consistently on time. The whole trip was well-planned, with every aspect contributing to a seamless and unforgettable experience. Their staff was helpful and always willing to help. If you want to book your Golden Triangle trip with a trustworthy and knowledgeable travel company.
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I visited Rajasthan with my friends last month. It was one of the unique experiences for as. As we stepped on the “land of kings” Rajasthan, we were amazed by the rich culture and hospitality. We explored the top attractions of the cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer. From exploring exquisite forts in Jaipur to spending one night in the desert of Jaisalmer, our trip was completely effortless. I appreciate our guide, Shankar, for guiding us throughout the trip and helping us to interact with locals and to learn about the culture of Rajasthan. Our driver, Shyam, was a skilled driver. Both of them gave their best to make our trip comfortable and cosy. I am glad that I chose Travel Plan as my travel partner. I highly recommend them for their services.
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I was very impressed with the services provided by Travel Plan for my short trip to Jaipur. They arranged a great guide (Mr. Kamlendra) and driver (Mr. Ajit) who took as to see the main sites and were flexible based on our interests. The car they provide is excellent and clean. The guide was knowledgeable and answered all of our many questions and, of course, knew the best places to take pictures for us! Travel Plan also booked the leopard safari for us - unfortunately we didn't see any leopards but that's all up to luck anyway. It was still a nice experience, showing the natural side of Jaipur. Make sure to bring warm clothing as it is in the early morning when it is cold. All in all, these guys are a top class tour operator and I would trust them for any travel arrangements in Rajasthan. They aren't expensive but also not cheap - you get a high level of service for a reasonable price. Do it!
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We had an amazing Rajasthan trip (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer) through Travelplan with our driver Mr.Ganesh Rao. It was a very informative, exciting and an eye-opening experience.
Our driver Mr Rao was especially very helpful, friendly and went above and beyond to accommodate us. He spoke English well, was quite interesting and made the long drive between the cities feel instant.
I highly recommend Travelplan if planning a Rajasthan trip.
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Having used Travel Plan on a previous occasion we contacted them again when planning our return visit to Jaipur. All our arrangements were honoured and as expected punctual. The cars were spotlessly clean with good safe drivers and of course AC. From meeting us at the airport to final drop off we were completely satisfied and can wholeheartedly recommend this company. We will be back!
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Very nice tour with travel plan. They provide good tour Guides, hotels and the car also. And Enjoy the food also at recommended restaurant.
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Thanks to Travel Plan India for arranging trip to Manwar Desert Camp including jeep & camel ride at dunes.They also arranged very nice cultural evening with folk dance & music.We enjoyed a lot.
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It was a great experience to travel by TRAVEL PLAN INDIA to down town, Jodhpur. They arranged a very good cycling tour for us through the narrow lanes of blue city with hustle & bustle in the colourful market in clock tower area, also had some street snacks & sweets with lassi.
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We all friends travelled through Travel Plan India to Ranakpur & had wonderful time as Travel Plan India booked us at nice beautiful Orchard which was away from city & no noise pollution with clean swimming pool.staff was very friendly,food quality & service was excellent.Orchard really worth for outing with friends & family
We will recommend Travel Plan India to our friends
Vinod was really nice with us, recommending good place to eat, explaining us the story of the place. He took us the all afternoon to visit the palaces. We totally recommend him.
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I booked my visit to udaipur and khumbhalgrah. All the services were very professional . I was also upgraded at both the hotels i stayed. Would highly recommend them for a memorable trip
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Travel Plan India has nice fleet of transport in Bikaner.
Our driver was very punctual and well behaved.
Guide was very knowledgeable and polite.
Many thanks to Travel Plan India for making our trip memorable.
Travel Plan India provided excellent services in Kolkata.
Enjoyed the tour of city. Guide was excellent and very good Driver.
Enjoyed a lot.
I was very impressed with the services provided by Travel Plan for my short trip to Jaipur. They arranged a great guide (Mr. Kamlendra) and driver (Mr. Ajit) who took as to see the main sites and were flexible based on our interests. The car they provide is excellent and clean. The guide was knowledgeable and answered all of our many questions and, of course, knew the best places to take pictures for us! Travel Plan also booked the leopard safari for us - unfortunately we didn't see any leopards but that's all up to luck anyway. It was still a nice experience, showing the natural side of Jaipur. Make sure to bring warm clothing as it is in the early morning when it is cold. All in all, these guys are a top class tour operator and I would trust them for any travel arrangements in Rajasthan. They aren't expensive but also not cheap - you get a high level of service for a reasonable price. Do it!
...Read More
Having used Travel Plan on a previous occasion we contacted them again when planning our return visit to Jaipur. All our arrangements were honoured and as expected punctual. The cars were spotlessly clean with good safe drivers and of course AC. From meeting us at the airport to final drop off we were completely satisfied and can wholeheartedly recommend this company. We will be back!
...Read More
Very nice tour with travel plan. They provide good tour Guides, hotels and the car also. And Enjoy the food also at recommended restaurant.
...Read More
We all friends travelled through Travel Plan India to Ranakpur & had wonderful time as Travel Plan India booked us at nice beautiful Orchard which was away from city & no noise pollution with clean swimming pool.staff was very friendly,food quality & service was excellent.Orchard really worth for outing with friends & family
We will recommend Travel Plan India to our friends
Vinod was really nice with us, recommending good place to eat, explaining us the story of the place. He took us the all afternoon to visit the palaces. We totally recommend him.
...Read More
Hi myself my wife and two teenage kids planned a trip to Jaipur through Travel Plan. We just let them know what we want and left everything on them and we were not disappointed. Their selection of guides, car,driver, monuments,restaurants and different activities like city tour and walking tour was exceptionally managed.
Thank you Travel Plan and their team.
we have enjoyed the view of the city from Nahargarh fort at Sunset by travel plan india.
wax museum is anazing.
Find the answers to all of our most frequently asked questions
The main Diwali day (Lakshmi Puja) falls on 8 November 2026, with the broader five-day festival running from around 6-10 November.
Diwali is typically a five-day festival, beginning with Dhanteras and concluding with Bhai Dooj, with the main celebration on Lakshmi Puja day.
Jaipur offers spectacular lit-up bazaars and palaces, while Varanasi’s ghats - especially during Dev Deepawali about two weeks later - offer a uniquely atmospheric riverside experience.
Traditionally yes, though restrictions have been introduced in several states in recent years due to air quality concerns, so the experience varies by location.
Air quality in northern cities, particularly Delhi, can be noticeably poorer around Diwali. Travellers with respiratory sensitivities may want to plan accordingly.
Mithai (traditional Indian sweets) are central to Diwali, with a huge variety of regional specialities available in the weeks surrounding the festival.
Some do, particularly around the main festival day, though hotels, transport, and tourist services generally continue operating.
Yes - Diwali is a significant domestic travel period as well, so accommodation in popular cities can fill up ahead of the festival.
Yes - the festival’s timing fits well with a Delhi-Agra-Jaipur itinerary, particularly if the Jaipur leg coincides with the main festival days.
Dev Deepawali takes place around two weeks after the main Diwali, primarily celebrated in Varanasi with thousands of lamps lit along the Ganges ghats.
Both - it has deep religious significance rooted in the story of Rama’s return to Ayodhya, while also functioning as a major cultural and family celebration across India.
Share your travel dates and preferred destinations, and an itinerary can be designed around the festival, factoring in accommodation and the best locations to experience it.
