Holidays in October?

Tvixen

Hi,
I am planning a trip to India in mid-October, I had a friend who was there last year at around that time and said there was a major holiday that lasted 6 weeks, and he could not get train tickets anywhere. He got stranded where he was for the whole time. Anyone have any info about this holiday? Is it hard to get tickets? Is it everywhere in India? Any thoughts would be helpful thanks.

rockyS

october there is holidays mainly in eastern india ,but in most parts of India schools are also shut for 7 to 10 days ,so people are of on a holiday for those 7 days , this year it is end of october so u need to plan accordingly bcz at that time u want get train tkts.

india-welcomes.com

Well India is known for its festivals... but 6 weeks festivals could only be contitued in RURAL VILLAGES, that too very distant one. plz. ask your friend where was he... only then anybody can tell which festival it was...

SHIMLA

Tvixen,

I think what your friend referred to are the Diwali holidays. Diwali is a major Hindu festival which falls in Oct./Nov. and the schools and colleges enjoy a vacation of 3 weeks (not 6 weeks !); though the festival itself lasts for just four days !

It is indeed difficult to get train reservations at the last minute during these 3 weeks.

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manavs

Last year diwali was on 25th Oct -- diwali festivities start with Desara festival which occurred last year on 9th Oct. approx 15 Days.

Yes diwali is a Major festival similar to Christmas in the west - and schools have an off.

Tickets are difficult to come across on short notice in this period.

This year Desera is on 23 Oct 04 and Diweli on 15 Nov 04.

Suggestions: train tickets should be booked in advance - if you travel plans are for OCt/Nov book you tickets now immediately. you can do so online at http://www.indianrail.gov.in/ or many other sites.

Indian railways allows a max of 60 Days advance booking.

diwali is a bigger grandeur in the North as compared to South.

Visit India for diwali (varanasi and then travel to the hills for some peace "Manali")

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