10 spectacular ways to celebrate Diwali

Ksift the darkness by illuminating the night sky. From Varanasi to Birmingham, here are the best Diwali parties around the world.

1. Flamboyant Jaipur

Diwali culminates on the third day of celebration, when the new moon of amavasya appears (November 7 this year).

So, if you want to experience all the flamboyance of the festival in India, there is still (almost) time to go east.

Awesome Experiences (awesomeexperiences.com) also offers a six-night "Diwali Light Festival" trip that will allow you to contemplate the temples and traditions of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, which you can participate in next year. From £ 2,039 per person, additional flights (October 25 to 29, 2019).

2. Diwali in Edinburgh

This may be a regular complaint, as the nights are so oppressive that there is nothing to brighten the evenings between Bonfire Night and Christmas. But this is not literally the case.

The Hindu festival of enlightenment that is Diwali may be closely related to India, but it has turned into a global event, marked in cities around the world. One of them is Edinburgh, which makes Princes Street Gardens and its surroundings a mix of music and dance (edinburghdiwali.co.uk).

Diwali officially lasts five days (from November 5th to 9th this year). This has been called a "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge about ignorance". And we could all use some of it.

3. Boom with a view

Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, at the forefront of India, is famous for its fireworks that light the festival. Discover this heart of the country of Diwali during a "classic South India" tour of 15 days with Cox & Kings (coxandkings.co.uk), from £ 2,375 per person per person. flight.

4. Deepavali in Nepal

In Nepal, the festival is known as "Tihar" or "Deepavali" – although there is the same lighting of diya (clay oil lamps) inside and out. the outside of the houses to dispel the darkness. More exciting than India? Judge for yourself at a 14-day "Heart of Nepal" trek sold by Responsible Travel (responsibletravel.com) from £ 2,500 per head; additional flights.

5. Sacred dance of the river

While Diwali is largely a five-day affair, Hinduism casts its charm throughout India throughout the year. Discover the Ganges, his sacred river – a ritual bathing place and scattered ashes throughout his journey from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal.

Steppes Travel (steppestravel.com) offers a 13-day cruise that follows the river between Patna and Varanasi, aboard the Rajmahal ABN. From £ 4,345, with flights.

6. nights of sleep

Diwali took root on the Isle of Wight. The "Festival of Light" is held annually in the woods of Robin Hill Park near Newport (electricwoods.co.uk), and "salutes" the lush colors, flavors and sounds of the Indian subcontinent ".

7. Dance in Birmingham

Birmingham will be wearing Diwali finery this weekend – via "Deepavali, the festival of light" at the Midlands Art Center (11 November, 18h, £ 10, macbirmingham.co.uk). Dance troupes such as the Chitraleka Dance Company and the Natya Project will perform on the stage of the theater for two hours of costumes and choreography.

8. Welsh Diwali

Cardiff will offer its own interpretation of the festival this weekend (November 11, from 11 am to 4 pm, free) with a "Diwali Mela" event at the National Museum of St Fagans History (museum.wales/stfagans). Visitors can learn more about the Indian epic poem "The Ramayana" and attend dance performances and workshops – as well as fashion shows that "bring images and sounds to life." an Indian festival ".

9. Diwali Street Party

The biggest British party in Diwali is probably the street party that has been going on for a fortnight, transforming the "Golden Mile" of Belgrave Road into Leicester – the cultural artery of the city's Asian community – into a whirlwind of people, fireworks, food and cheerfulness. Its 2018 edition has been in full swing for a week now. But do not worry – he still has a few days left (until November 11, details on visitleicester.info/whats-on).

10. York like that

The great hurray of Hinduism resonates on the cobblestones and in the medieval yards of York in the form of a Diwali event (see the website of the York Indian Cultural Association, yica.org.uk). Dance, music, vegetarian dinner? Oh yes, all that.