India is a land of festivals, where people of different religious backgrounds coexist peacefully. The country’s numerous festivals serve as a testament to its rich cultural legacy. While there are festivities all year round, October through December is the best time to experience the country at its most vibrant. From Ganesh Chaturthi to Diwali, the three months of festivities mark the busiest quarter of the Hindu calendar. And what could be a more fulfilling experience than commemorating each holiday where it first originated? So, India’s Grand Festivals: Top destinations to experience the magic is a list of the best places to go for each festival. Also, you can visit Flyopedia to book affordable flights from YYZ to HYD.
1. Ganesh Chaturthi in Pune
Ganesh Chaturthi, an Indian festival, heralds the start of the festive season and is dedicated to the God of happy beginnings. It is the patron god of Maharashtra, is celebrated with great pomp and circumstance in Ganpatipule, Mumbai, and Pune. The celebrations last for one to twenty-one days in houses, temples, and public spaces, featuring enormous idols covered in a variety of colors and adornments. The splendor of this event, however, doesn’t stop here because Ganesh is also celebrated with great passion and excitement in Bengaluru, Mysore, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. Witness an environmentally conscious celebration in Goa or Trivandrum, where the people in the nearby villages craft and worship idols made of clay, banana plants, and straws.
2. Durga Puja in Kolkata
West Bengal begins celebrating the greatest, grandest, and most spectacular festival of Durga Puja on the sixth day of Navratri. Celebrated as the City of Joy, it honors Goddess Durga’s victory over the monster Mahisasura. People get dressed up, gather their loved ones, and go pandal hopping. The festivity comes to an end when the goddess idol is immersed in water. The sights, sounds, and smells of the usually relaxed metropolis combined with the amplified emotions provide for an unparalleled sensory experience. Explore the stunning marquees and pantals made by local, international, and national artists among hundreds of other guests from all over the world, and transform the city into a bountiful art display. You can visit Kolkata from USA with cheap flight tickets from Flyopedia.com
3. Navratri in Ahmedabad
The most significant celebration in Gujarat and some regions of North India is this nine-day celebration, which pays homage to the goddess Shakti. Gujarat’s Navratri is a cultural event, however, there can be more complex religious rituals in the northern states of Punjab and Uttarakhand. Cities such as Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Ahmedabad, and so on employ the brightest hues to light up. To truly experience the essence of Navratri, you must actively participate in the traditional Garba and Dandiya dance festivities held in practically every village and city. People from all walks of life express joy by dancing all night long to lively music while wearing the most lavish and colorful attire! So, don’t miss the opportunity to see India in its most vibrant colors, visit Flyopedia to book cheap tickets from Toronto to Ahmedabad.
4. Dusshera in Mysore
Durga Puja and Navratri come to a close on Dussehra.People commonly refer to it as Vijayadashami, and it holds a well-known place in the Indian festival calendar. People burn an effigy of Ravana on the final day of Navratri, Durga Puja, or Ram Navami, commemorating Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, and people observe it throughout northern and southern India. Like most festivals, there are several ways that people celebrate Dussehra around the nation. But if you want to enjoy the most lavish Dussehra ever, head to Mysore. Locally, people call it Dassara, and it is a celebration that honors all things royal in the City of Palaces. Prepare to be in awe as 100,000 light bulbs light up the majestic Mysore Palace, and the current king, a symbolic one, conducts a covert ceremony in the Royal Court.
5. Diwali in Varanasi
Without a doubt, the most magnificent celebration observed throughout the Indian subcontinent is Deepavali, also known as Diwali. Diwali, a celebration celebrated across the country, ushers in the festival season with a carnival of lights and melodies. People decorate their homes with lights, candles, and clay lamps, pop crackers, and exchange gifts and candies with friends and family to commemorate the festivities. However, if you’d like a taste of the biggest festivities, visit Varanasi or Jaipur. The Diwali lights and lamps accentuate the crimson glow of the Pink City, and an ethereal atmosphere envelops the sacred city of Varanasi. It’s essential to witness the Diwali aarti and fireworks on the banks of the Ganges.
Wrapping Up
These grand festivals of India offer a captivating glimpse into the vibrant and diverse culture of this nation. From the colorful Diwali celebrations in Varanasi to the spiritual Durga Puja in Kolkata, India’s festivals pay evidence to its immense cultural diversity. If you want to experience the allure of these festivals for yourself, plan a trip to one of India’s most beautiful destinations. Additionally, visit Flyopedia to get cheap flights from Toronto to Chennai India, and begin an amazing journey full of celebration and cultural discovery.
Also Read: An Essential 3 Week Itinerary To Visit The Best Places In India In 2023
