Diwali is a festival of lamps celebrated with great enthusiasm and passion. Homes are illuminated with oil lamps, and light prevails everywhere.
According to mythology, when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana and completing 14 years of exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, the entire city of Ayodhya was adorned with lamps.
While Diwali is special in every village and city in India, there are places where foreign tourists come to witness this festival. Let’s explore some of these places.
Diwali Celebrations in Amritsar and Ayodhya
A significant number of foreign tourists visit Amritsar in Punjab to experience Diwali. The Golden Temple in Amritsar hosts a remarkable Diwali celebration.
The entire temple glows with radiant lights, leaving tourists mesmerized. Specifically, tourists come to witness the Diwali celebration at the Golden Temple.
Similarly, Ayodhya, associated with the legendary story of Lord Rama, attracts tourists worldwide during Diwali.
Ayodhya’s Diwali is renowned globally, illuminating the city with millions of lamps. The banks of the Sarayu River shine brightly with these lamps.
Diwali in Varanasi and Kolkata
Foreign tourists flock to Varanasi from all over the world to experience its unique Diwali celebrations.
The city of Varanasi dazzles with countless earthen lamps and candles lit along the ghats of the Ganges River.
Thousands of lamps float in the Ganges, creating a surreal sight. Similarly, Kolkata’s Diwali celebration is exceptional, drawing a considerable number of foreign tourists.
Kolkata hosts Kali Puja, a grand ceremony where the city is beautifully adorned with lights. The night of Kali Puja is mesmerizing, as the entire city glimmers in the brilliance of lights throughout the night.