Where to Celebrate Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Discover delightful Diwali festivals and traditions in Asia and beyond
Experience the dazzling colours, festivities and joy of Diwali. Image source: Adobe Stock
With the glow of clay lamps, soft tinkling of bangles and air heavy with the aroma of cardamom, cinnamon and sandalwood, Diwali, the festival of lights, ignites the spirit and the senses.
The religious festival of Diwali marks Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after he triumphs over the demon king Ravana in Hindu mythology. Villagers light lamps along the path to welcome Lord Rama, symbolising the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, giving the festival its name. In Sanskrit, Diwali means ‘row of lights’.
Diwali celebrations around the world
The popularity of this joyous festival is steadily growing globally as more people want to experience the celebration of light, spirituality and Indian cuisine and culture. Although it is rooted in Hindu tradition, the festival has evolved to include local customs and practices in many countries around the world. For example, Malaysia has made it a national holiday, Indians in Fiji host communal meals and prayer services and Mauritians exchange presents and home-baked goods with their families, friends and neighbours.
The best part? No matter where in the world, everyone’s welcome to join the celebration! Experience Diwali, the festival of lights, in these fantastic destinations, all accessible from Perth.
Colours, lights and spectacle at the Diwali festival in Uttar Pradesh, India. Image source: Adobe Stock
Diwali in India, 18-23 October 2025
India is the birthplace of Diwali, and its grand celebrations last for five days! Where is the best place to celebrate Diwali in India? As each region has its own rituals and customs, it depends on the type of celebration you’re looking for. Four noteworthy Indian cities include:
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Because legend has it that Lord Rama returned to Varanasi from exile, Diwali here is doubly glorious and draws huge crowds. Go early and find a spot near the Ganges River, where you can admire hundreds of oil lamps, or diyas, illuminating the scene, accompanied by magnificent firework displays. Devotees offer prayers and traditional dance performances.
Fifteen days later is Dev Diwali, or Diwali of the Gods, believed to be the day the gods bathe in the Ganges River. You’ll see locals chanting hymns, setting off firecrackers and decorating their homes and streets with colourful powders in symmetrical designs called rangoli when you visit Varanasi.
New Delhi
String lights and lamps gleam in every corner and the city exudes magnetic energy. Neighbourhoods in New Delhi, like Sundar Nagar, host street markets with mouth-watering savouries and snacks, souvenirs and crafts. Sikh communities serve home-cooked meals at their temples as people come to observe the festivities. Visitors can watch or play card games with locals, a popular social activity during Diwali.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Arrive in Chennai early, as preparations start days beforehand. Known as Deepavali here, its people believe Lord Krishna defeated the tyrant Narakasura on this day. The focus is on spiritual purification, with devotees bathing in oil to purify themselves on Deepavali morning.
See Chennai buzzing with events, street stalls selling themed goods and locals beautifying their homes with candles and garlands. Join in the action at Marina Beach, busy with boisterous activity from beachside markets, ritualistic sea bathing and excited families lighting sparklers.
Bangalore, Karnataka
Visit Bangalore, and you’ll find a mixture of modern and traditional South Indian customs. Witness temple gatherings and ceremonial prayers dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, at places like the Bangalore Ashram and Vaikuntha Hill. Explore pop-up events that include Bollywood parties, folk music festivals, dance contests and art installations commemorating the triumph of light over darkness.
To experience Diwali in India, fly from Perth with Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Batik Air and Thai Airways via a one stop connection.
Colourful floral garlands at a market stall in Little India, Kuala Lumpur. Image source: iStock
Diwali in Malaysia, 20 October 2025
Diwali in Malaysia means elaborate kaleidoscopic decorations and a dynamic festive atmosphere. Many malls host Diwali-themed events that you can easily be a part of—try your hand at Indian clay crafting, apply henna to your palms, learn how to make masala tea or practice draping a saree, a traditional Indian garment. Most celebrations are held in Kuala Lumpur, which is directly accessible from Perth!
Kuala Lumpur
Watch as Hindus decorate the entrances of their homes with intricate rangoli designs for Diwali. Their day begins with bathing and wearing new outfits in vivid colours. Families pray together at home or the temple before visiting relatives and neighbours, taking along boxes of sweet treats to share in the spirit of joy.
Fortunately, celebrations aren’t limited to familial bonds. Explore Kuala Lumpur’s famous temples, often hosting prayer services during Diwali. Visit the local markets, selling bead-encrusted and mirror-studded Indian outfits and local delicacies like murukku—a crispy snack made from rice flour. Live performances are open to the public and major shopping centres host Diwali events that everyone can watch.
Celebratory hotspots in Kuala Lumpur include Little India and Batu Caves:
Little India, Brickfields
Batu Caves, Selangor
Fly direct from Perth to Malaysia with Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, and Air Asia.
Lighting candles from traditional oil lamps during Diwali. Image source: iStock
Diwali in Sri Lanka, 20 October 2025
Marvel at the Sri Lankan temples, or kovils, draped in fairy lights and lit up by oil lamps, reflecting the theme of light prevailing over darkness. Watch music and dance performances that often feature classical dance forms combining facial expressions, hand gestures and rhythmic movements. As night falls, find a vantage point to admire the endless firework displays that light up the sky!
Jaffna, Northern Province
Jaffna’s extensive Indian community means celebrations here are larger than life. Wander through neighbourhoods lined with glimmering lamps as families and friends exchange gifts as symbols of goodwill. Take the rare opportunity to attend a ceremony at the Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, known for special prayers and processions during Deepavali.
Trincomalee, Eastern Province
Perched on a cliff in the beachside town of Trincomalee, the Koneswaram Temple merges coastal beauty and spirituality with sublime sunset ceremonies by the Indian Ocean. Taste traditional meals such as biryani—a flavourful rice dish—and sweet treats including laddu, aromatic balls made from semolina and coconut.
Fly from Perth to Colombo with Thai Airways via Bangkok, then catch a 45-minute flight from Colombo to Trincomalee. En route to Trincomalee, why not explore Thailand during your stopover in Bangkok? While you’re there, visit the Ong Ang Canal Walking Street and join the week-long Diwali festivities. That way, you'll get to experience Indian and Thai celebrations—all in a single trip!
Prayer flags flutter during Diwali celebrations in multicultural Kathmandu, Nepal. Image source: Adobe Stock
Diwali in Nepal, 19-23 October 2025
During Nepal’s Diwali celebration, known as Tihar, watch cultural shows performed by local communities and sample festive treats while surrounded by colourful street decorations. Walk through the streets and public spaces to see temples and homes adorned with bright colours, fairy lights, glittering tinsel fringes, flower arrangements and oil candles, known as diyo. Most Tihar celebrations unfold in Nepal’s capital, and everyone’s welcome!
Kathmandu
Visit Kathmandu Valley and Bhaktapur and experience a traditional Tihar spectacle! Children singing folk songs go door to door, offering blessings to families and receiving gifts and money in return. Indulge in sel roti, a doughnut-like bread eaten over the five-day celebration, and enjoy dance performances showcasing Nepali and Newari heritage. Admire panoramic views from the Swayambhunath Stupa of the buildings below aglow with lights at night.
Several airlines fly to Kathmandu, including Batik Air or Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur, Thai Airways via Bangkok, or Singapore Airlines via Singapore.
Brilliant fireworks light up the night sky over Port Louis, Mauritius. Image source: iStock
Bonus destination: Diwali in Mauritius, 20 October 2025
If a holiday in Mauritius is on your travel radar, consider going for Diwali as Indo-Mauritians celebrate the festival with unmatched devotion and fervour. Hindu homes glow with diyas and are decorated with eye-catching rangoli patterns, while the sweet scent of homemade snacks, such as sweet potato cakes, wafts from local kitchens. Embrace the Mauritian Diwali tradition by reflecting on the past year and adopting positive habits.
Triolet, Port Louis
The city’s lively celebrations include multicoloured shimmering firework displays. Watch the prayer processions and share in the spirit of Diwali at the Maheswarnath Mandir, one of the longest-standing and most architecturally impressive temples on the island. Locals are extremely friendly, inviting visitors of all backgrounds to enjoy the Diwali festivals.
Fly direct to Mauritius from Perth with Air Mauritius.
An evening ceremony lights up the Ganges riverbank, Varanasi, India. Image source: iStock
Experience Diwali, the festival of lights, from Perth
Diwali celebrations around the world offer both spiritual and sensory experiences. Be part of the festivities with convenient flights from Perth to a variety of spectacular destinations across Asia and even Africa! For a smooth journey, organise your spending money easily with Travelex and enjoy duty-free shopping online or in-store at Perth Airport.