Favourite Diwali Vacation Places in India

Come Diwali vacation and children will ask their elders and parents to take them out for some days outside the state to view new things, people and places. The planning of Diwali vacation places begins 2 months before where reservations and bookings are made in advance. Here are top 7 locations below, where people can enjoy with their friends and family

The other locations worth thinking of for enjoying Diwali are Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, Kashmir, and Kerala etc.

1. Kashmir

   Although Kashmir has been off limits due to many national reasons, one can surely pay a visit to Kashmir for 5 to 10 days or such. From couple of years, the Government has taken ample security measures for the protection of tourists.

   People can go to Kashmir and enjoy their staying in the house boats in the Dal lake. They can also enjoy the famous Kashmir Winter in the snow as well as take up skiing as a sport in the snow filled mountains and enjoy to maximum. The famous apple orchards cannot be missed out for sure. The shopping enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at the floating market on Dal Lake and the local shopping market as well. They can buy the local handicrafts and wool jackets of Kashmir.

   People should not forget to buy the famous Kashmiri dry fruits and enjoy the Kashmir Tea known as Kawa. A visit to the Mughal gardens can be made to see various flowers and see the LOC with Pakistan at the other end. Of course, Photography can never be missed in the all beautiful Kashmir ever.

2. Jaipur

   Jaipur is one of the city of Rajasthan, which offers various options for sightseeing. It is known as the pink city of Rajasthan. It is also one of the best Diwali vacation places to visit during Diwali for some days. One can go into the city area to do shopping of different items like earthen lamps of more than 2000 different varieties. The Rajasthani Handicrafts, pottery, and other items can be purchased at quite a good price bargain. People can also buy and try the local traditional clothes and enjoy a color of Rajasthan.

   There are many gift items of different ranges and quality for people to buy for their friends after a good bargaining with the traders. Can one miss to see the beautiful palaces and buildings of the city without paying a visit?  There are various palaces worthy of visit like the Mubarak Mahal built by the king Sawai Madho Singh. The museum inside the palace shows the many Kashmiri shawls, Banaras silk sarees, royal embroidery and the Sanganer textiles.

   The Queen’s palace known as Diwan-e-Aam should be visited to see the famous Rajput weapons dating back to 15th century and includes pistols, canons, swords etc. The Shish Mahal or the Hawa Mahal will be enjoyed by the kids as it is a 5 storey structure having more than 950 windows built for the women of that era to view the city. Interestingly, the palace was built with red and pink sandstone from Belgium along with the imported glass. The other forts worthy of visit are the Nahargarh fortCentral Park in Jaipur is the largest park that can be enjoyed in the cool evenings along with the Rambagh polo ground and Golf Club. Rajasthani Cuisines and Jaipur Sharbat, a drink to cool off after a tiring day is a must have for the tourists.

3. Goa

   For those people, who want to shake their leg and enjoy a relaxing Diwali vacation places, Goa is the best place for them. People can go with their friends and enjoy the parties organised there and also enjoy one of the famous beaches of Goa like the Agonda Beach, Mandrem Beach, Palolem Beach, Cola Beach, Candolim Beach, Colva beach… the list could go on and enjoy the sea sports activity like sea sailing, para gliding on the water, surfing, fishing, swimming etc.

   Goa, being basically a Christian town has many churches that are worthy of visit. The famous St. Francis Xavier church should not be missed as it still contains the incorruptible body of St Xavier kept in a glass box. The other churches to visit are St. Cathedral, The chapel of St Catherine, St Augustine Church, St. Alex church etc.

   The other places worth visiting in Goa with family and children are Old Goa, the Chapora Fort, Shantadurga Temple in Panaji, have a heritage walk in Panjim with a guide, again visit Mahalsa temple in Ponda, and also visit some of the old forts of Goa situated near the sea shore.  The Mollem national park can be visited to have a glimpse of wonderful Goa wildlife like panther, sloth bear, barking deer along with 200 species of birds for photography.  One can even catch a glimpse of a diving Dolphin in the sea if they are lucky near the evening time.

   Casinos are one entertainment other than parties that are favourite of fun loving people. There are many known Casinos in Goa, where people can enjoy and put bet on, other than seeing various foreign movies.  Museums in Goa are known to display the French and Christian artefacts along with jewellery, coins, handicrafts, beer and other old alcohol beverages.  The Navy museum and the  Archaeological Museum should not be missed ever.

4. Munnar

   Speak of South India locations, and one will always find mention of Munnar as one of the prime locations to visit in Diwali. Munnar is located in the Western Ghats and is known for its scenery as well as tea and spice plantations. It is a hill station and also a rainforest. People can take their family along to Munnar to enjoy the beauty and wonders of nature.

   Munnar has still maintained its old look and feel in the form of neat bungalows, cottage gardens with flowers and is famous for the coffee bean. One should not miss the famous Neelakurinji flowers that are known to come or bloom only once in every 12 years. The flower is blue in color and good in smelling.  The other exciting things to do in Munnar are visit Tea Gardens, have a visit to the adventure park, visit the Punarjani traditional village, photography the famous attukal , lakkam and thoovanam waterfalls among the many falls, visit the Mattupetty dam and go to Salim Ali bird Sanctuary to see the beautiful colourful local birds.

5. Junagadh – Sasan Gir

   The Sasan-Gir national park sanctuary has just re-opened after the Monsoon, and it is the best Diwali vacation place to be if the children want to see the Lion out in the open in its natural habitat with their pride. The Gir national park has an area of more than 250 sq km. People can also take a chance to have a glimpse of other wild life like leopards, deer, jackals, and more than 300 species of birds.

   Junagadh can be visited to see the Nizam’s palace, Buddha’s sttupas, many historical structures, Visit saints, buy the famous Junagadh Scalf-known as bandhani, and purchase excellently designed handicrafts.

   Not only that, People can have the famous Gujarati Kathiawadi food in its full form, often known as ‘Chappan Bhog’ of 52 different dishes to enjoy in various tastes.

6. Kanha National Park

   Who does not like to see tigers after the lions roaming in their natural habitat? The Kanha National Park is a Tiger reserve in the Mangla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh-India. Since its creation in the year 1955, this place has been a hotspot for visit and a major favorite for children from all over India.  It is spread over 940 sq km and is the largest national park in central India.

   It is an ideal location to take the family to see the beautiful wildlife in its independent form. The park boasts of the Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, bear, wild dogs, jackals, deer of many types, and other animals. It has more than 1000 species of plants and home to bamboo as well as highland and deciduous forest.

   One can even see pythons, cobras, and other type of grass snakes as well sliding around on the grounds.  While visiting the state, people can enjoy wearing the local dress, be a witness to some of street drama acts as well as purchase the local heirloom handicrafts, well known for their embroidery.  The safari cost rates are quite affordable starting from Rs 4,500 onwards.

7. Kolkata

   A Visit to Kolkata is incomplete if it is not visited during the Diwali time. Kolkata is considered to be one of the best Diwali destinations due to the celebrations conducted here. People visiting this place cannot miss the famous Kali Puja as well as the Lakshmi Puja, known all over India.

   People can also try out the famous Cuisines and dishes of Kolkata like Rasgullas, Sandesh, Mishtidoi and other such delicious ones. People celebrate Diwali here with utmost Zeal by lighting colourful lamps, crackers and purchase of local and known Kolkata handicrafts.

   Tourists can visit other tourists spots in the city like the park street, also known as the food street, for its local food stalls, the kalighat temple of Goddess Kali built in 1800’s and one of the shaktipeeths of Goddess Shakti. The other places worthy of visit are the botanical garden, the famous Howrah Bridge of India, science city, Victoria Memorial built in year 1921 with a landscaped garden. It has a museum that hosts old paintings and arts from all over the world.

   The Asiatic society, Indian Museum, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Birla Temple and the famous Dakshineshwar temple of Saint Ramkrishna Paramhansa where he found Goddess Kali should never be left out from the Diwali city visit.