Diwali - Varanasi or Darjeeling

neil1981 · Sep 14th, 2009, 21:54

Hi,

I am planning my itinerary and am struggling. I can either delay getting to Varanasi by a few days to be there 15th, 16th, 17th October (i believe Diwali is on the 17th this year).

Or get there a bit sooner and be through Varanasi and in Darjeeling for 17th.

Basically my question is how long is Diwali (I understand it to be a few days culminating on 17th?).
And where is considered the better town - varansi or darjeeling - to spend it?

Thanks

sdsudarsan · Sep 14th, 2009, 22:38

Of course it is a sight to watch Deepavali in Varanasi... Lot of crowds though!

You are lucky to be at Benaras on D Day

delhiwala · Sep 15th, 2009, 01:24

No Doubt, Varanasi !!

Darmabum · Sep 15th, 2009, 02:02

Varanasi once . . . Varanasi twice . . . Varanasi three times. I've spent three Diwali's in Varanasi, couldn't, wouldn't imagine a better place. In fact, for any Hindu festival, I would put my money on Varanasi. The ghats . . . the river . . . the setting . . . the 2 km long raft of floating prayer candles on the Ganges at night is indelible.

neil1981 · Sep 15th, 2009, 02:24

Varanasi it is then!

Can anyone give me some information about what the 17th is. Looking at wikipedia and the threads on here it's not totally clear to me.
Am I right in saying Diwali is a 5 day celebration with actual Diwali (the festival of lights) being on the 3rd day (17th October 2009).
Really, really looking forward to it now, thanks!

sdsudarsan · Sep 15th, 2009, 02:28

Depending on various panchanga people time of Diwali may vary slightly. But, for the most, this year is Diwali on the 16th Oct night and then Deepa Awali (lighting) is on 17th evening.

Some places it is celebrated for 6-days (like in Bihar Diwali ends with Chat Puja).

delhiwala · Sep 15th, 2009, 02:35

Yes ! Diwali is a 5 day long festival

1. Dhan Teras
2. Chhoti Diwali
3. Badi Diwali
4. Goverdhan Puja
5. Bhaiya Dooj

and in Bihar

6. Chhat Puja..

SitaParityaga · Sep 15th, 2009, 03:05

I was in Varanasi last year over Diwali. It was a wonderful visit, but I did find out later from the locals, The Dev Diwali celebration (14 days after usual Diwali)is the bigger, more colorful thing to see. This is something unique to Varanasi I believe.

Had I known, I would have planned for Dev Diwali in Varanasi and Regular Diwali somewhere else.

Its worth your time to look into neils: you could get two Diwalis out of one trip!

neil1981 · Sep 15th, 2009, 03:34

Thanks - unfortunately I'll be flying home on 25th so will miss out Dev Diwali. Still, as long as I get to see one.

Sep 14th, 2009, 21:54	#1
neil1981 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 8	Diwali - Varanasi or Darjeeling Hi, I am planning my itinerary and am struggling. I can either delay getting to Varanasi by a few days to be there 15th, 16th, 17th October (i believe Diwali is on the 17th this year). Or get there a bit sooner and be through Varanasi and in Darjeeling for 17th. Basically my question is how long is Diwali (I understand it to be a few days culminating on 17th?). And where is considered the better town - varansi or darjeeling - to spend it? Thanks

Sep 15th, 2009, 01:24	#3
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	No Doubt, Varanasi !! __________________ Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

Sep 15th, 2009, 02:02	#4
Darmabum On the Road, wherever I am Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: in the mountains of Idaho . . . now the red-rock plateau of southern Utah Posts: 1,111	Varanasi once . . . Varanasi twice . . . Varanasi three times. I've spent three Diwali's in Varanasi, couldn't, wouldn't imagine a better place. In fact, for any Hindu festival, I would put my money on Varanasi. The ghats . . . the river . . . the setting . . . the 2 km long raft of floating prayer candles on the Ganges at night is indelible. __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

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Sep 14th, 2009, 22:38	#2
sdsudarsan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Jambu dweep Posts: 165	Of course it is a sight to watch Deepavali in Varanasi... Lot of crowds though! You are lucky to be at Benaras on D Day

Sep 15th, 2009, 02:24	#5
neil1981 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 8	Varanasi it is then! Can anyone give me some information about what the 17th is. Looking at wikipedia and the threads on here it's not totally clear to me. Am I right in saying Diwali is a 5 day celebration with actual Diwali (the festival of lights) being on the 3rd day (17th October 2009). Really, really looking forward to it now, thanks!

Sep 15th, 2009, 02:28	#6
sdsudarsan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Jambu dweep Posts: 165	Depending on various panchanga people time of Diwali may vary slightly. But, for the most, this year is Diwali on the 16th Oct night and then Deepa Awali (lighting) is on 17th evening. Some places it is celebrated for 6-days (like in Bihar Diwali ends with Chat Puja).

Sep 15th, 2009, 02:35	#7
delhiwala IM what IM Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indeyah ! Posts: 4,817	Yes ! Diwali is a 5 day long festival 1. Dhan Teras 2. Chhoti Diwali 3. Badi Diwali 4. Goverdhan Puja 5. Bhaiya Dooj and in Bihar 6. Chhat Puja..

Sep 15th, 2009, 03:05	#8
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,146	I was in Varanasi last year over Diwali. It was a wonderful visit, but I did find out later from the locals, The Dev Diwali celebration (14 days after usual Diwali)is the bigger, more colorful thing to see. This is something unique to Varanasi I believe. Had I known, I would have planned for Dev Diwali in Varanasi and Regular Diwali somewhere else. Its worth your time to look into neils: you could get two Diwalis out of one trip!

Sep 15th, 2009, 03:34	#9
neil1981 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Manchester Posts: 8	Thanks - unfortunately I'll be flying home on 25th so will miss out Dev Diwali. Still, as long as I get to see one.