Diwali – the festival of lights is celebrated on new moon day in the month of Oct/Nov. It is celebrated as the victory of light over darkness. There is a ancient true story associated with it, which you can will get to know from your host in India over a cup of tea with pakoras (snack).
People clean their house, decorate them with lights & flowers, make sweets at home and worship goddess Lakshmi. As you are in a home stay, you will do all this stuff as a family member.
A great way to understand Indian culture through this biggest Indian festival.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: The tour starts from your hotel pickup in Delhi (if hotel is outside Delhi, you have to reach Karol Bagh Metro Station) by our driver in air conditioned car/van. Drive to a small town, 180KM north of Delhi (specially chosen to take you away from hustle of big cities). Traditional welcome at your host home followed by some tea with pakora (a popular Indian snack). Later in the evening, you will be taken to the market to see how colorful & well decorated it looks during festive days. There will be some prayer (we call it ‘Pooja’) and traditional dinner after that. Our local host will tell you the story behind this most celebrated festival of India.
Day 2: This is the festival day, so everyone wake up early. People clean their house and decorate them with colors, electric lights & flowers. Before breakfast, you will see how Indian people offer prayers to their ancestors. You will have your breakfast and get ready for traditional ‘festive special’ sweets making session after that.
Afternoon all the things for Pooja are assembled at the worship place. You may wear tradiotnal Indian dress like saree, suit or kurta (optional). The pooja takes place in between 6-8 PM (local priest tells the auspicious time). People worship the goddess Lakshmi, goddess of wealth & happiness, for well being of their family. Oil lamps (made from clay, with a cotton wick dipped in oil) are lit on all the walls and boundaries of house. Everybody do the same & the scene is breath taking. You can now enjoy all the food stuff made earlier that day. Enjoy the fireworks after your food.
Day 3: After breakfast, it is time to say good bye to your local host. Drive to Delhi and drop at your hotel.
Package Cost
From USD 150 Per Person
Inclusions
- 2 nights accommodation in homestay (or hotel)
- 5 Meals: 2 Dinner, 2 Breakfast & 1 Lunch
- Tea & snacks every evening
- Walking tour to local market
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Optional cooking lessons
- Virsa Special: Get a Henna Tattoo
Exclusions
- Excess luggage charges (if more than 1 bag)
- Gratuities (recommended)
- Travel insurance
You can also club this tour with your other India Tours like Golden Triangle Tour & Rajasthan Tour. For more details, kindly write us at contact@virsatravels.com or fill the form below.