You must have enjoyed the festival of lights at home! And if not at your home, Diwali would have been celebrated in your surroundings! But what if I tell you that there are more reasons & more forms of celebrations related to the Diwali festival? Curious?
This blog is all about enhancing your curiosity about the festival of Diwali! Be ready to learn about many fascinating stories about this festival. I am sure by the end of this blog, you will want to explore these destinations & experience traditional Diwali Celebrations.
So, book hourly hotels in Delhi or in other parts of India and visit these 5 destinations for a memorable experience.
North India
I. Majestic Ayodhya (Hindu Celebration)
Reason of Celebration
The most known reason for celebrating Diwali is to celebrate the home-coming of a Hindu God Shri Ram, his wife Goddess Sita & his brother Lord Lakshman to their kingdom, Ayodhya, from a 14-year exile. God Ram is believed to be incarnation of God Vishnu, descended to Earth as a human avatar for the well-being of people.
That’s the reason, people of Ayodhya celebrated his arrival by lighting rows of diyas in & out of their houses in the night.
Celebration Style
A grand “Deep Utsav” is organized by Ayodhya temple authorities every year on the eve of Diwali. Devotees, volunteers & temple staff light up the whole compound of Ayodhya temple by lighting up diyas (circle-shaped earthen lamps) & candles using cotton buds and oil. The celebration continues to 24 ghats of the Sarayu river.
Guinness World Record Celebration
In 2020, the temple administration lit up the majestic temple with around six lakhs diyas & got registered in the Guinness Book of World Records. Another world record was created in 2021 when one of the ghats of the Sarayu river, Ram ki Paidi, was lit up with 9,41,551 diyas, the highest number of illuminated diyas in one place!
So, what are you waiting for? Book an hourly hotel in Ayodhya from MiStay, save money on the bookings & visit this marvelous temple on the next Diwali.
II. Stunning Golden Temple, Amritsar (Sikh Celebration)
Diwali is special not only for Hindus but people from the Sikh religion too. The Sikhs celebrate “Bandi Chor Divas”, which translates to “Imprisoned released day”.
Reason of Celebration
The Sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh, Guru Hargobind wanted to form a separate Sikh homeland after the execution of his father by the Mughal emperor Jehangir. He imprisoned the Sikh guru due to his rigorous efforts toward his goal. But, the guru got released from the prison after two years on the day of Diwali.
Celebration Style
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is lit up with lights, diyas, and candles. The main eye-catching sight is a Sarovar (a freshwater lake) in the center of the temple lit up with diyas on its stairs. You can see a lot of fireworks over the temple, and special prayers being held during the Diwali festival.
Feeling mesmerised? Go visit this beautiful & iconic temple, feel the serenity by sitting on the corridors listening to the shabd-kirtan and have a sumptuous langar in the end as prasad. Also, you can book hotel for a few hours in Amritsar from MiStay so that you don’t feel a dent in your pocket.
East India
3. Iconic Kolkata (Kali Puja Celebrations)
Reason of Celebration
Diwali in the north is synonymous with the Kali Puja celebration in the east. Goddess Kali is the form of Goddess Parvati but in her deadly form to kill demons. In some parts of East India, Diwali is the day of remembering their ancestors. They lit diyas & do prayers honoring them & seeking their blessings.
Celebration Style
You can see celebrations in a large pandal, or tent erected in an open area on upright bamboo poles in various places in Kolkata. Therefore, you can book an hourly hotel in Kolkata near these pandal celebrations & thoroughly experience the traditional Diwali.
So, what are you waiting for? Travel to Kolkata this Diwali, reserve rooms in an hourly hotel & enjoy the Diwali!
West India
4. Adventurous Mumbai (Modernised Celebration)
Reason of Celebration
For Maharashtrians, Diwali is the occasion of Lakshmi Pooja. They celebrate the festival of lights with the aarti of Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi will enter your home that day if both your intentions & house are clean! People make beautiful flower rangoli in their houses.
Mumbai is a diverse city with people from all culture present. You can observe spectacular fireworks on Marine drive. I suggest you to book an hourly hotel in Mumbai near Marine drive to experience the same.
Celebration Style
Many buildings & houses are illuminated heavily with lights, giving a majestic & pleasant show, especially during the Diwali night. Important places, like Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Gateway of India, Chowpatty, Juhu Beach, Siddhivinayak Temple, etc. are beautifully decked up with lights & diyas.
On the same note, if you want to experience a colourful & cheerful Diwali, you can also visit Jaipur. Book a hotel for a few hours in Jaipur, visit their bright & lively markets & fill your spirit with memories.
South India
V. Diwali celebrations in Madurai
Madurai is a relatively quiet place to experience Diwali, as compared to the other options. But not that quiet also!
Reason of Celebration
Here, the reason to celebrate Diwali is different. They celebrate the victory of God Krishna over the demon, Naraka Asura. They also do pooja the next day after Diwali & celebrate Naraka Chaturdasi.
Jain Celebrations in Jain Temple of Madurai
Jains also celebrate the day of Diwali as the enlightenment day of their 24th spiritual teacher, Mahavira.
Celebration Style
In the South India, different delicacies are made in Diwali. Murukku and ukkarai are a must have food items. Don’t forget to relish that!
So, if you want to know authentic Diwali celebrations, invite yourself to any Indian home celebrating the same. Another option is to book hourly hotel in Madurai & enjoy the lights & celebrations.
Final Words
Now, you must have observed that Diwali is celebrated in almost every part of India. Maybe the reasons to celebrate are different, but the brownie point is that Celebrations are there! That too with shining lights & bright clothes!
So, when are you experiencing your authentic Diwali Celebrations? Book hourly hotels with MiStay, and savor the different flavors of Diwali 😊