Diwali Celebration In North India

Amritsar is the holiest city for Sikhs not only in India but all over the world. The name of the city is derived from the holy pool that surrounds the famous Golden Temple of this city, which means “the holy pool of nectar”.

Reaching Amritsar is very convenient because it is one of the main cities in Punjab and is directly connected to the National Highway that connects it with other cities like Ambala, Chandigarh, Delhi and Patiala.

The airport in Amritsar is the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport that is 11km away from the main city and is frequented by domestic as well as international flights. One can also visit Amritsar via trains as the Amritsar Railway Station is connected to almost all major cities in the country including Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi.

A visit to the city of Amritsar is incomplete without a visit to the famous Golden Temple. This temple is also known as Harmandir Sahib. It was founded by the 4th Sikh Guru in 1604. Sikhs from all over the world visit the temple, as it is considered the ultimate pilgrimage destination for the community. Apart from this, the Jallianwala Bagh shrine is also a popular tourist attraction. One can also visit the Akal Takht.

The famous Wagah Border ceremony can also be witnessed when you are in Amritsar, as the border between India and Pakistan runs through the area. For animal lovers, the Harike Wetland Sanctuary is an exciting place to visit, while the Amritsar Heritage Walk will give you incredible insight into the colourful history of the city.

One of the most attractive features of the city is its food, with local stalls selling delicacies that are on par with any good restaurant in the country. The best time to visit Amritsar is between November and March when you can avoid the scorching summers and the wet monsoons.

Varanasi, a city that oozes charm and mesmerizing beauty, is amongst the holiest cities in India and arguably in the world. With a massive number of temples, shrines, and ghats, for anyone who seeks the blessings of the almighty, Varanasi, should be at the top of their priority list.

Known as Lord Shiva’s City, this majestic place has a distinct essence in its soothing surroundings, which would certainly leave any visitor spell bounded. Many people from all over India visit the shores of the pious Ganges River and take a holy bath, which is believed to banish all the sins from the body and soul.

If you are visiting Varanasi any time sooner, then boat riding at the holy Ganges river should be at the top of your bucket list. This would be an unforgettable experience of your life as the picturesque views from the rides have a charm of its own.

The stunning panoramic experience of temples and practices of Hindu rituals would harmonize your heart and soul. You should also attend the glorious Aarti sessions at the Ganges River. Spiritual chants and the essence of aromatic surroundings will be an ideal experience if the person wishes for a calm and serene place to cherish.

This divine ceremony is even enhanced in magnitude when witnessed at the Dasaswamedh Ghat. The use of heavy brass lamps for the ceremony makes the experience even more satisfying.

Another important landmark of Varanasi popularly known as Sarnath is renowned as the place where Lord Buddha illustrated Dharma. It is amongst the most prominent Buddhist sites all around the world. You can also witness the humongous pillar of Dharmekh Stupa. Also, the visual brilliance of the Ashoka Pillar would be a treat to your eyes. Varanasi is truly an alluring site that captivates travelers with its holiness and tranquility.

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, India’s largest state, was built by Sawaji Jai SIngh in the 18th century. Located 268 Km away from New Delhi, it is a major tourist destination that forms an important part of the famous Golden Triangle tourist circuit. Explore the vibrant charm of Jaipur with our affordable Jaipur tour packages.

The chaotic, colourful streets of Jaipur present a recurrent pattern of new and old. The city, encircled by besieged walls and rugged hills, is full of well-preserved historical buildings and royal heritage. It forms a part of the Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit, with its wide roads dotted with majestic statues and its impressive palaces.

The City Palace is an iconic landmark that lies at the heart of the city, still housing the royal family. The Jantar Mantar is another famous attraction, with its vast collection of ancient astronomical instruments. While here, prepare to get bedazzled by the architectural brilliance of the Hawa Mahal and the grandeur of Jaipur’s star attraction, the Amber Fort.

On the outskirts of Jaipur lies the Aravalli hills, which presents ample trekking opportunities at Chouri Ghat and Bhuteshwar Nath. You can also take part in cycling tours and check out some of the seasonal waterfalls around here. Nahargarh and Jhalana provide wildlife photography and jungle safari opportunities. ATV rides and zip-lining are some of the other activities you can try out in Jaipur.

Jaipur has a hot semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters that are short lived. The monsoon season runs from July to August, providing yearly precipitation of more than 63 cm. The average temperature here lies around 25.1 degrees Celsius and on rare occasions, it can fall below freezing point in winter.

Rishikesh is a tehsil located in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal region right on the banks of the holiest of Indian rivers, the Ganges. This ancient city has several mythological and religious legends associated with Lord Vishnu, Lord Bharat, and various prominent sages and is said to have been established in the 9th-century AD by Adi Shankaracharya.

The scenic beauty of Rishikesh is due to its location at the foothills of the lofty Garhwal Himalayas is accentuated by the mighty Ganges cutting right through the city. The picturesque city looks suspended between the stunning riverside promenades, acres of forests, lush mountains, and clear blue skies lending it a surreal appearance.

The city is synonymous with its grand temples, rituals, architectural marvels and yoga ashrams. Every temple here, be it the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Raghunath Temple, or the 13-storey Trimbakeshwar Temple, has its own beautiful legend that attracts people from all over the world. The twin Ram & Lakshman Jhulas are outstanding architectural feats in themselves. These suspension bridges span for over 750 ft. over the Ganges. There are numerous ashrams here that lead people into the spiritual world of ancient forms of yoga, meditation, and vipasana to cleanse their soul and de-stress.

Rishikesh has its share of offbeat and adventure activities too. If you are not enjoying the adrenaline rush of white water rafting available up to grade 6, you can spend time enjoying amazing experiences like cliff jumping, kayaking, body surfing, etc. There are picturesque waterfalls here like Patna fall and Neer Garhi fall, etc. that are perfect to escape into the raw wilderness of nature. If you are the spiritual kind, you can’t miss attending the jaw-dropping spectacle of the Maha Aarti.

The summer months (March-June) here are extremely hot & humid with temperatures reaching up to 36°C. Winter months (October-February) are cold and sunny with temperatures dipping to a low of 6°C, making them the best months to visit. Monsoon months (June-September) see a lot of rains accompanied by humidity.

The ancient city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand has been a major Hindu pilgrimage site for centuries. Located where the sacred River Ganga emerges from the base of the Himalayas, it’s considered one of the 7 Sapta Puri. The Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years, is also celebrated here. The sacred city of Haridwar offers a colourful and fascinating blend of culture and offers the best tourist places in Haridwar. Being one of the seven holiest cities in India, Haridwar often bustles with devotees. It propitious location near the holy River Ganga has made it gain more popularity.

With the passage of time, it has become more than just a religious city, where people thronged to perform immersion of the ashes or took a dip in the water to wash away their sins. It has in fact evolved into Yoga, cultural and spiritual centre and has also become a prime hub for learning Sanskrit language The modern day, Haridwar is the reflection of the culture of India and thus offer much to its visitors. Here is the list of best 12 places that one must see in this holy city.

While religion plays an important role in Haridwar – many visitors are pilgrims and devotees – there’s more to this holy city. The cuisine is excellent and food lovers eager to try authentic Indian fare will find their palates satiated many times over. Travelers in search of yoga ashrams and centers hoping to improve their physical and mental health won’t be left wanting either. If you’re eager to experience the tourist places in Haridwar, read on to know the best time to visit, how to get here and where to stay.

Pushkar is an essential pilgrimage in India for the Hindu and Sikh faith holders due to the presence of 100’s of stunning temples including the only ‘Lord Brahma Temple’ in the world, and several gurudwaras. It is located amidst the western Aravalli Range on the shore of the natural Pushkar Lake, around 10 kilometres from the city of Ajmer in Rajasthan. And since Pushkar is a part of the torrid desert state, it has particularly warm summers and cool, pleasant winters with moderate rainfall in the monsoons. Experience the grandeur of Jaipur's palaces and beyond with our Rajasthan packages, offering a seamless blend of history and luxury.

Pushkar is believed to have been an ancient city as it has found mentions in many Hindu mythologies and other important Indian scriptures. Hence, the colourful and different history of this Temple Town has garnered attention from domestic and international tourists, many of whom are also devouts. But that’s not all; there is still much more to this tranquil town than meets the eye. 

In the present day and age, it has become a popular weekend getaway for people, especially the youth living in nearby cities like -Jaipur, Ajmer, Delhi etc. for its many offerings of recreational activities like - boating on the lake, camel safaris, camping and hikes, cable-car rides, shopping for local handicrafts, among more. Along with the alluring points of interest like - the Rose Garden, Mertha, Pushkar Bazaar, Varaha Ghat etc. that are worth exploring during a short rendezvous. Moreover, It has primarily been famed for its annual ‘Pushkar Mela’ which is a Cattle Fair organized during the month of ‘Karthik’ (October/November) for five days. It is the biggest and grandest celebration in the town where thousands of locals and tourists gather to savour rides, folk performance, shows, and the most important event of all - the trading of numerous cattle, horses and camels from distinct parts of the country. The two prominent Hindu festivals - Holi and Diwali are also celebrated with much penchant and glee, making it one of the unmissable sightings. 

The tourism in Pushkar is thriving, which has led to the residents, along with many high-end brands and industries developing a commercial aspect. Because of this, one can find an array of hotels and resorts, quaint cafes and eateries serving international cuisines, and other modern facilities. All ranging from modestly priced for the budgeted guests to the 5-star luxurious ones for the big spenders. Thus, Pushkar is that one city that welcomes one and all with open arms and offers an experience unlike any other. And although the city brims with trotters all year long, it is the time during October till March that fits best for one to plan a short excursion to fully take in the beauty, merrymaking and the ambient surroundings.