Have you ever wondered which are the best places to celebrate Diwali in India? If you are traveling in India during Diwali May I suggest Jaipur? Jaipur Diwali is considered one of the best Diwali celebrations in India. Among all festivals celebrated in Jaipur, perhaps Diwali is the only festival that transforms the city into a glitzy avatar. Jaipur is one of the few places in India where Diwali is celebrated with enthusiasm & zeal.
Read Will Diwali shine on people this year?
Fancy lighting can be seen everywhere – dwelling units, markets, malls, buildings, and monuments. People flock to markets hunting for gifts and deals. Everyone is in a festive spirit. Read Diwali Gifting Mithai Vs Chocolates
Diwali marks the start of the festive season. As soon as Diwali ends, the wedding season starts, therefore there are many wedding oriented exhibitions & shows during this period. Diwali parties especially the card parties and get together catches on around two weeks before Diwali. Most of these parties run well past midnight. Although this is completely an urban phenomenon, the festive mood is everywhere.
History of Diwali in Jaipur
For a long time, Jaipur has followed a tradition of observing a 5 day Diwali celebration. Here is information on 5 days of Diwali. It starts with Dhanteras on day one, Roop Chaudas on day 2, Diwali or Lakshmi Puja on day 3, Goverdhan Puja on day 4 and Bhai Duj on day 5. So for the first 3 days, markets and establishments are all decked up with the lights.
Read this post in continuation of Will Diwali shine on people this year?
Traditionally, Diya made of clay were used to light up the houses. This was later replaced by candles. Imported Chinese LED lights in the last few years have kind of taken over all the buildings. While Diya or Deepak is no match for these LED lights when it comes to illumination & light effect, traditional Diya evokes a different feeling. Diwali is synonymous with Diya; it is not the case with cheap LED lights that we see all around. However, this year saw a big come-back of the Diya made by the potters, locally.
This is how these Diyas end up for the Diwali decoration!
Where is Diwali celebrated in Jaipur
Many tourists visit Jaipur to witness & experience the Diwali celebrations, both from abroad as well as India. Jaipur is a popular destination among the Gujarati and Bengali tourists during the Diwali vacations. The Diwali celebrations in Jaipur take place throughout the city, however, some of the popular landmarks are specially decorated for the festival. You will find many monuments and buildings in Jaipur all lit up for Diwali. These two pictures were shot at Statue Circle Jaipur which has a statue of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur.
Read post on Statue Circle: Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II | The Founder Of Jaipur
Following are the pictures of the beautifully lit up Albert Hall Museum built in Indo-Saracenic architectural style by Samuel Swinton Jacob in 1887 AD. Albert Hall Museum is a very popular tourist attraction in Jaipur and features an Egyptian mummy as one of its key attractions. The foundation of this building was laid by the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward in 1876 AD during his Jaipur Visit.
Diwali Traditions
While a lot of Diwali traditions are common across the country, only a few are specific to the city. What makes them even more unique is the context and the place. Here are scenes from the Bazaars in Jaipur on Diwali selling items for the Lakshmi Puja.
- Buying sugarcane for Diwali Lakshmi Puja
Sugarcane sellers can be spotted everywhere in Johari Bazaar, Jaipur. People well conversant with traditions believe sugarcane is an offering made to the elephants associated with Goddess Lakshmi.
- Marigold Flowers For Decoration
The marigold flower sellers swarm all over the walled city markets in Jaipur on Lakshmi Puja day. A large number of them are from the nearby villages looking at making quick money since everyone buys these flowers for decoration. Owing to huge demand, the prices for flowers go up.
- Idols of Lakshmiji and Ganeshji
People buy idols or printed images for Diwali Lakshmi Puja.
- Pujan Samagri
Pre-packed Pujan Samagri for Lakshmi Puja is also in high demand. Traditionally, people would buy them individually going as per the Pujan Samagri list from the shops but owing to lack of time, these packets are preferred choice.
- Special Diwali Rangoli
Rangoli art is an important part of Diwali decoration and celebration. Rangoli is a colorful pattern made on the floor that is very popular and can be seen in almost every household. Women make beautiful designs of Rangoli for Diwali. Colored powder and fresh flower petals are often used for making new Rangoli designs.
Some people use Rangoli Stencil instead of a free hand to create Rangoli patterns on the floor. Stencils enable easy Rangoli design for Diwali.
Here is a Rangoli pattern created with a stencil.
How to make Rangoli for Diwali?
Simple Diwali Rangoli, step by step pictures.
Where to witness the Diwali Celebration in Jaipur?
Diwali decoration is what everyone loves to witness in Jaipur. Apart from this, there is special Diwali Puja in temples. In some temples, it is held on Dhanteras day whereas in others it is on Diwali or Kartik Amavasya.
- Diwali Aarti in Jaipur
Before anything else, one should experience special Diwali Puja. The Diwali celebrations and Aarti at Sri Ramchandra Temple in Jaipur is famous as the temple is dedicated to Lord Rama.
- Diwali Decoration in Jaipur
The Diwali decoration in Jaipur attracts many travelers and tourists. Jaipur is one of the few cities where the city decks up for the Diwali celebrations. Read on to know about places for Diwali decoration in Jaipur.
Popular places to see the Diwali decoration in Jaipur
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Johari Bazaar
Diwali decoration in Johari Bazaar, Jaipur -
Albert Hall Museum
Albert Hall Museum on Diwali night -
Chaura Rasta
Chaura Rasta Diwali lighting -
Tripolia Bazaar
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Jal Mahal
Jal Mahal or Water Palace on Diwali -
MI Road
MI Road -
Statue Circle, C Scheme
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Jaipur View From Nahargarh Fort
The Jaipur view from Nahargarh Fort on Diwali is spellbinding. Do note that many times police blocks the road leading to the fort because of drink and drive menace. Your best bet is to visit Nahargarh for sunset and enjoy the sunset view along with Diwali lighting. Nahargarh Fort restaurant Padao is the preferred choice for the Jaipur views.
Diwali celebration in the holy city of Varanasi is also very popular. It has religious importance due to the presence of many Hindu temples & river Ganga. The Ganga Aarti and lighting at the ghats in Varanasi on Diwali is a mesmerizing experience. Jaipur is surely not in the same league.
Diwali in Jaipur, on the other hand, has a much more glitzy avatar. There’s a unique blend of culture & religion in Diwali celebrations in Jaipur. Where else can you experience the eclectic mix of the modern and traditional way of celebrating the festival of lights? People who have witnessed Diwali celebrations across various cities claim that the Diwali celebration in Jaipur is one of its kind. Therefore Jaipur is the best place to celebrate Diwali in India. The city surely knows how to celebrate Diwali and spread good vibes all around. You should experience the festival of lights in Jaipur, at least once in your lifetime.
Also, read Will Diwali shine on people this year? Read more from similar posts here.
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Great post with some lovely picures JP….yes, Diwali is around the corner and I can say without doubt that we are already seeing it come alive in Jaipur through your post…..it is celebrated with much color in Calcutta too….:) the City of Joy becomes the City of Lights…
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Thanks, Anindya! I’m happy to hear that even Kolkata celebrates Diwali in style. I would love to see pictures. Have you posted any?
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No I haven’t….after Diwali I will try to do a post.
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Great! will look forward to it, Anindya!
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Simply stunning photography.
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Thanks, Ellen. 🙂
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Oh my. I’m exhausted already. 🙂 Reminds me a bit of our Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
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Great! Have you witnessed the Holi celebrations in US by Indian community?
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I literally had a run through your Diwali celebration in person. It is a delight to read your posts and view your pics.
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Thanks, Sonia. I’m making a guess that the festivities in Kolkata during Diwali must be spell-binding! Is it?
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Hi Arv, I didn’t realize Diwali in Jaipur can be so amazing. The decorations, Pooja supplies pouch, Rangoli, laddoos, potters, marigold garlands in Johri bazaar together they all make Diwali in Jaipur the best ever. All the festivities must be starting right about now.
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Jyoti, Jaipur is a great city to witness the splendour of Diwali. Despite the city advancing so much, you can still witness the traditions. Yes, it is still setting up. Things have diluted so much over the last few years that shopping during Diwali is no more customary! So the momentum gains only in last few days! Would love to see Diwali festivities in SF! 🙂
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Wonderful pictures with useful information. Jaipur really looks like a dreamland during Diwali.
What is Roop Chaudas? We celebrate the other ones here too. But, we mainly worship Goddess Kaali on the day of Diwali.
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Thanks, Maniparna. Roop Chaudas is a day prior to Diwali. I think you should be able to relate it with these two names – Naraka-Chaturdashi or Kali Chaudas since you mentioned Goddess Kali.
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Oh, yes…now I can relate. Naraka-Chaturdashi is known as Bhoot-Chaturdashi here.
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That’s interesteing. 🙂
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Brilliant post ARV. I totally agree with you and just like Rajasthan Diwali in Himachal and better parts of North India is celebrated in similar 5-day fashion. Starting on Dhanteras and finishing up on Bhai Duj. Our heritage and history are preserved in these few days and I am proud to be a part of this Indian community.
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Thanks, Abhishek. Although the festival has undergone a dramatic change in the last few years but still I feel it has its charm.
I would love to read how it is celebrated in your town. It will be an interesting read. 🙂
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Arv, this is a beautiful post on Diwali of Jaipur… this festival of light is such a wonderful festival and is celebrated in every city and village of India, in their own way. The best part of this festival I feel is the light, every corner there is light and the age-old Diyas have no match. You have such beautiful pictures of the lighted monuments, thanks for showing us Diwali of Jaipur.
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Sarmistha, Many people have mentioned that Diwali in their cities are not grand or spellbinding especially in South India or East India. In Hindi belt, that’s a different thing!
I agree that candles and lights are no match for Diyas. They are so symbolic of this festival. I’m glad you liked this post. Is it a grand celebration in your town?
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Thanks so much for sharing these photos with us Arv! What a treat it is to experience Diwali in Jaipur through your blog! My favorites are Jal Mahal and Albert Hall Museum and of course the market and diya photos- they have such an organic quality to them.
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Thanks, Sandhya! I hope someday you get to travel to Jaipur and experience it yourself. How was your recent travel to S. India?
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Wow a nice, detailed blog about Diwali celebrations in Jaipur, Arv. I love those buildings illuminated with lights. Compared to Nepal, the lights over there do look like on a different level. The same with firecrackers – there are hardly any available to buy in the shops in Nepal. Because they were banned during the 10 year civil war period and they’ve never made a comeback long after the war is over..
I love the traditional lamps too, and the red painted ones on your photo are so pretty! Indian handicraft is so pretty with all the colors and patterns. Definitely more colorful than Nepali handicraft. What a wonderful time it’d be to visit Jaipur during Diwali then. Hope you had a nice Diwali this year 🙂
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Pooja, people who have seen celebrations in other Indian cities certainly feel that Diwali in Jaipur is special.
Lighting is definitely a great thing to see. Crackers? well, lately many people have given up on it because of pollution. I feel it is in line with the need of the hour.
I agree that these Diyas are beautiful and sets up the Diwali mood for festivities.
I’m sure even handicraft in Nepal must be pretty. I haven’t seen it yet. May be your blog can help me discover some. 🙂
I’m sure you will enjoy Diwali celebration in Jaipur, if ever you decide to visit. Thanks for asking, we had great celebartions. 🙂
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Beautiful pictures Arv!
I still miss Deepawali celebration in Jaipur. Now matter how grand I try to do here, but ‘Jaipur ki diwali ki baat hi kuch aur hi’.
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Stunning photos as usual!
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Thanks, Gemma 🙂
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I love reading your posts and will share this one as well.
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Thanks, Esme 😊
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I love Diwali so much! Almost as much as I love Christmas!
I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating x
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Thanks, Claire. I’m happy to hear that you love Diwali. You should visit Jaipur someday and experience the festivities here
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