Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Five Indian Destinations Offering Memorable Festive Experiences
India’s festive season runs from early October to late December.
During this time, different cities celebrate important local festivals.
Kolkata is famous for Durga Puja, with colorful temporary structures called pandals.
Mysore celebrates Dasara with a brightly lit palace and an elephant procession.
Varanasi lights many lamps along the Ganges for Dev Deepawali.
Jaipur decorates its markets and streets for Diwali.
Amritsar celebrates Bandi Chhor Divas with lights, fireworks and food at the Golden Temple.
These celebrations let visitors see different traditions across India.
Kolkata’s Durga Puja features about 3,000 registered community celebrations, artistic pandals and idol immersion in the Hooghly River.
Mysore’s 10-day Dasara festival includes a palace illuminated by 97,000 bulbs and a Vijayadashami procession with decorated elephants.
Varanasi’s Dev Deepawali lights more than 1.2 million earthen lamps across 85 ghats along the Ganges.
Jaipur celebrates Diwali with illuminated markets, decorated streets and comfortable conditions for visiting forts.
Amritsar marks Bandi Chhor Divas at the Golden Temple with lights, oil lamps, fireworks and community meals for tens of thousands.
- Who
- Travellers visiting India’s festive destinations and the communities celebrating local festivals.
- What
- Five destinations—Kolkata, Mysore, Varanasi, Jaipur and Amritsar—are highlighted for their festive celebrations.
- When
- The festive travel period is described as running from early October to late December; specific festivals occur on different dates.
- Where
- The celebrations take place in Kolkata, Mysore, Varanasi, Jaipur and Amritsar, India.
- Why
- These destinations offer opportunities to experience regional customs, public gatherings, decorations, rituals, food and cultural traditions.
- Featured destinations
- Kolkata, Mysore, Varanasi, Jaipur and Amritsar
- Travel period
- Early October to late December
- Kolkata highlight
- About 3,000 officially registered community pujas
- Mysore highlight
- Mysore Palace illuminated with 97,000 electric bulbs
- Varanasi highlight
- More than 1.2 million lamps across 85 ghats
- Amritsar observance
- Bandi Chhor Divas commemorates Guru Hargobind’s release with 52 Hindu kings in 1619