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Discover the 5 places to experience Diwali in India in 2026—from the grand Deepotsav of Ayodhya and the spiritual ghats of Varanasi to the beaches of Goa, mountains of Nainital and royal lights of Jaipur.
Diwali is one of those festivals that feels different wherever you celebrate it in India.
In one city, millions of diyas turn the riverfront into a sea of light. In another, the streets are filled with colourful decorations and festive shopping. You can celebrate beside the Ganga, enjoy a beach holiday in Goa, wake up to mountain views in Nainital, or spend the festive evening surrounded by the royal architecture of Jaipur.
That is what makes travelling during Diwali so special. The festival stays the same at heart, but every destination gives it a different character.
In 2026, Diwali falls on 8 November, making it a great opportunity to plan a festive getaway around one of India's most important celebrations.
If you're wondering where to celebrate Diwali in India this year, here are five destinations that offer very different experiences.
If there is one destination that naturally comes to mind when talking about Diwali, it is Ayodhya.
The city has a deep connection with the story of Lord Rama and the traditional story of his return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Because of this connection, Diwali here has a special spiritual significance.
But what makes the experience particularly memorable for travellers is the sheer scale of the celebrations.
During Deepotsav, the ghats along the Saryu River and different parts of Ayodhya are illuminated with countless earthen lamps. The sight becomes especially beautiful after sunset, when the glow of the diyas begins to reflect on the river.
The atmosphere isn't only about the lamps. Cultural performances, devotional activities, processions and other events add to the festive mood, turning the entire city into a celebration.
Visit Ram Mandir
Spend an evening around the Saryu Ghats
Experience the atmosphere of Deepotsav
Explore the city's important temples
Walk through the illuminated streets after sunset
Try local food and traditional sweets
For travellers interested in India's spiritual and cultural heritage, Ayodhya can be a particularly meaningful Diwali destination.
Important for 2026: Ayodhya Deepotsav is scheduled for 6 November 2026, while Diwali itself falls on 8 November. Travellers planning around Deepotsav should therefore check the latest official event arrangements before booking.
There are few places in India that create an atmosphere quite like Varanasi.
The ancient ghats, the Ganga, temples, narrow lanes and evening rituals already make the city a fascinating destination. Add the lights of Diwali to that setting, and the experience becomes even more atmospheric.
One of the best ways to experience Varanasi during the festive season is from the river.
An evening boat ride gives you a different perspective of the city. From the water, you can see the illuminated ghats, temples and boats moving along the Ganga while the city continues its celebrations around you.
For photographers, Varanasi is also an excellent destination during this period. The combination of warm diya light, reflections on the river, old architecture and evening skies can create some beautiful travel photographs.
Take an evening boat ride on the Ganga
Visit the famous ghats
Explore the old lanes of Kashi
Experience the city's temples and spiritual atmosphere
Try local sweets and traditional food
Spend an evening watching the riverfront come alive
Diwali and Dev Deepawali are different
There is one important point travellers should know before planning a Varanasi trip.
Diwali and Dev Deepawali are not the same festival.
Diwali in 2026 falls on 8 November, while Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is scheduled for 24 November 2026.
Dev Deepawali takes place later in the lunar month and is famous for the illumination of the ghats with large numbers of lamps.
So, if your main goal is to experience Varanasi's famous mass diya illumination associated with Dev Deepawali, plan your trip around that later date rather than assuming it happens on Diwali.
Diwali doesn't have to mean spending your holiday in a temple town or historic city.
For a completely different experience, head to Goa.
Goa brings together festive traditions, beaches, local culture, food and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. During Diwali, the state also has its own distinctive traditions, making it much more than simply a beach destination during the festival.
One of the most interesting traditions is the Narkasur celebration.
On the eve of Diwali, communities in different parts of Goa create large Narkasur effigies. These are taken through local streets before being burned around dawn as part of the traditional celebration.
For visitors, it is an opportunity to see a side of Goa that can easily be missed if you only visit for its beaches and nightlife.
During the festival, homes and neighbourhoods are decorated with diyas and festive lights, while local communities come together for celebrations.
And of course, you still have Goa itself.
You can spend the daytime at the beach, explore Portuguese-influenced heritage areas, enjoy Goan food and then experience the festive atmosphere in the evening.
Watch local Narkasur celebrations
Explore festive decorations in Goan neighbourhoods
Spend time at Goa's beaches
Try traditional Goan food
Explore Panaji and nearby heritage areas
Enjoy Goa's cafés and evening entertainment
Goa works particularly well for travellers who want their Diwali holiday to feel like a proper vacation rather than a short festival visit.
Think of it as Diwali with a tropical backdrop.
Jaipur becomes especially magical during Diwali.
The Pink City is already famous for its palaces, forts and historic architecture, but during the Festival of Lights, the city takes on an entirely different appearance. Markets, shops and heritage buildings are decorated with colourful lights, diyas and festive displays, creating a spectacular atmosphere after sunset.
One of the best ways to experience Jaipur during Diwali is to explore the illuminated old city and its famous markets.
Walk through areas around Hawa Mahal, Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar in the evening and you will find the streets filled with festive decorations, shoppers and colourful lights. It is a great opportunity to experience the excitement of Diwali while also enjoying Jaipur's famous jewellery, textiles, handicrafts and traditional sweets.
But there is another experience that shouldn't be missed.
Watch Jaipur Light Up from Nahargarh Fort
For one of the most memorable views of Diwali night, head towards Nahargarh Fort in the evening.
Located high above Jaipur, Nahargarh offers panoramic views across the Pink City. During Diwali, when homes, markets and buildings across Jaipur are illuminated, the entire city spreads out below you like a sea of lights.
From the fort, you can watch the city glow beneath the night sky and, depending on local celebrations and conditions, see fireworks lighting up different parts of Jaipur.
It is a completely different perspective from walking through the busy markets below.
For travellers who enjoy photography, this can be one of the highlights of a Jaipur Diwali trip. A wide panoramic view from the hills, with the illuminated Pink City stretching into the distance, makes for an unforgettable festive scene.
Walk through Jaipur's beautifully illuminated markets
Visit Hawa Mahal and the historic Pink City
See the city lights from Nahargarh Fort
Enjoy panoramic Diwali-night views and fireworks from the hills
Shop for jewellery, textiles, handicrafts and festive décor
Try traditional Rajasthani sweets and festive food
Explore Jaipur's forts and palaces
Jaipur is an excellent choice if you want your Diwali holiday to combine festive lights, shopping, heritage, food and spectacular city views.
During the day, explore the forts and colourful markets; in the evening, experience the illuminated Pink City; and at night, head towards a viewpoint such as Nahargarh to see Jaipur glowing beneath the festive sky.
That combination gives you a truly royal Diwali experience.
If you want to experience Diwali away from crowded cities and surrounded by mountains, Nainital offers a completely different kind of festive escape.
Set around the beautiful Naini Lake and surrounded by hills, the town takes on a charming atmosphere during the festival season. As evening arrives, homes, shops, hotels and streets are decorated with festive lights and diyas, while the reflections of the illuminated town begin to shimmer across the lake.
One of the nicest ways to enjoy Diwali in Nainital is simply to slow down. Take an evening walk around Mall Road, enjoy the festive decorations around the lake, visit Naina Devi Temple and find a peaceful viewpoint to take in the lights across the hills.
The cool mountain weather adds another dimension to the experience. Instead of spending Diwali in the heat and crowds of a large city, you can enjoy a cosy evening surrounded by Himalayan scenery.
For travellers who enjoy photography, Nainital can also be particularly beautiful after sunset. The combination of Naini Lake, illuminated hills, festive lights and the dark mountain sky creates a very different Diwali backdrop.
See the town and Naini Lake illuminated with festive lights
Enjoy an evening around Naini Lake
Visit Naina Devi Temple during the festive season
Explore the decorated Mall Road and local markets
Enjoy panoramic Himalayan views
Spend a relaxed evening at a cosy hill café
Capture the reflections of the illuminated town on the lake
If you are looking for a peaceful Diwali holiday in the mountains, Nainital offers a refreshing alternative to the large-scale celebrations of India's major cities.
You can also extend your trip to nearby Bhimtal, Sattal or Naukuchiatal and turn your Diwali celebration into a longer Kumaon mountain getaway.
Diwali is one of India's busiest travel periods, so planning ahead can make a significant difference.
Book accommodation early
Hotels in popular destinations can fill up quickly around the festival. This is particularly important in destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Goa, Nainital and Jaipur.
Plan transportation in advance
Flights and trains can become busy around Diwali. If you're travelling with family or a larger group, it is worth confirming your transportation well before the trip.
Check the local festival schedule
The exact timing of cultural events, processions and special celebrations can change. Always check official tourism or local administration updates closer to your travel date.
Don't forget the days around Diwali
The festival is not limited to a single evening. Depending on the destination, celebrations and cultural events can take place before and after the main Diwali date.
This is particularly important in places such as Ayodhya and Varanasi, where major festival-related events may fall on different dates.
India offers countless ways to experience Diwali.
You can watch thousands of diyas glowing beside the Saryu in Ayodhya, take a boat across the Ganga in Varanasi, celebrate among the beaches of Goa, enjoy a peaceful mountain evening in Nainital or explore the illuminated heritage of Jaipur.
The destination you choose ultimately depends on what you want your Diwali holiday to feel like.
Grand and spiritual? Ayodhya.
Cultural and soulful? Varanasi.
Beach and festive vibes? Goa.
Peaceful and scenic? Nainital.
Royal and colourful? Jaipur.
Whatever your choice, travelling during Diwali gives you a chance to experience the festival beyond your home city and discover how different parts of India celebrate the same festival in their own unique way.
Planning a Diwali trip for 2026?
Matrishwa Holidays can help you plan your flights, hotels, transfers, sightseeing and complete holiday itinerary.
Make this Diwali more than a celebration. Make it a journey.
Plan your Diwali getaway with Matrishwa Holidays
Website: www.matrishwaholidays.com
Instagram: @holidaysmatrishwa
When is Diwali in 2026?
Diwali will be celebrated on 8 November 2026.
Which are the best places to celebrate Diwali in India?
Some popular choices include Ayodhya, Varanasi, Jaipur, Goa and Nainital. Each destination offers a different experience, from spiritual celebrations and illuminated ghats to beaches, mountains and heritage architecture.
When is Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026?
Ayodhya Deepotsav is scheduled for 6 November 2026. It takes place shortly before Diwali.
Is Varanasi Dev Deepawali the same as Diwali?
No. Diwali and Dev Deepawali are separate celebrations. In 2026, Diwali falls on 8 November, while Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is scheduled for 24 November.
Is Goa good for a Diwali holiday?
Yes. Goa combines its own local Diwali traditions, including Narkasur celebrations, with beaches, food, heritage and a relaxed holiday atmosphere.
Is Nainital a good place for Diwali?
Nainital is a good option if you want to combine the festival with a mountain holiday. Its lake, hills, viewpoints and nearby Kumaon destinations provide plenty to explore.
How early should I book a Diwali trip?
Because Diwali is a major travel period in India, booking flights, trains and hotels early is advisable, especially for popular destinations and family or group travel.
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