New Delhi: The brightest festival of India Diwali has come which is a 5-day long extravaganza and is celebrated with much pomp and show across the nation. It symbolises the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana to the kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
Here, we bring you 5 cities in India where the festival of lights is celebrated at its best:
Varanasi:
Celebrating Diwali in Shivnagri is once in a lifetime experience as the beautiful ghats are decorated with numerous diyas and fireworks are also performed alongside the ghat giving it a mesmerising view. People perform Ganesh and Lakshmi Puja at homes, followed by evening aarti (prayer) that adds the perfect feel to this lighting festival. And this is not it as you can savour your taste buds with Kashi special sweets like khoya sweets and gajrela.
Gujarat:
Gujarat is considered to be a very colourful state surrounded by the sweetest people around. Not just the Navratri which is celebrated with much pomp and show but even the Diwali is all decked up with colourful attires and grand celebrations. Natives make and gift each other with Gujarati special sweets like- Golpapdi, Magaz , Basundi, Doodh Paak and Atta Ka Sheera. Take some time out to visit the native state of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 'Kuch din toh guzaro Gujarat me'!
Amritsar:
Diwali has a special significance attached to the Sikh community as well as the day marks the return of Guru Hargobind Sahib from Mughal captivity and also the foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid on Diwali day way back in 1577. You just can't afford to miss the mystic view of the Golden Temple on Diwali night.
Get ready to groove to some bhangra steps on dhol and eat Punjabi cuisines like- Kheer, Malpua, and Amritsari Jalebi.
Kolkata:
Diwali in the city of Joy- Kolkata is celebrated in its unique style. During Diwali time Goddess Kali is worshipped by making various offerings like sweets, fish, meat and by also lightening earthen lamps. For this purpose, the city is decked up with various Kali Puja pandals. Followed by fireworks and a grand feast.
Goa:
While the entire nation has a similar way of celebrating the festival of lights by burning the crackers and lightening up houses. Goa probably the coolest state in India has its own way of celebrating where people make paper made huge effigies of Narkasura that symbolises evil and then they destroy the evil power by burning it. Also, various competitions are held to judge the tallest and scariest effigy.
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