Visiting India during Diwali - do festive sights outweigh the hassles?

SilverMaple · Jul 11th, 2007, 04:28

We could time our holiday to include the start of Diwali. We don't know how far delights of festivities might be outweighed by possible festival problems like transport being crowded or not running or hotels being fully booked. So what are the joys & the hassles of being in India during Diwali?

Barryjames · Jul 11th, 2007, 05:16

I have only spent two Diwali festivals in India (Goa)
Everyone has different preferences as to what they like, tolerate or simply ignore. It is entirely up to you and your psyche.
Personally I find any kind of festivities a pain in the backside, unless it is something directly involving my own family or friends.
My wife on the other hand; she will join in with everything and anything that is happening out of the normal.
I cannot speak therefore for her, but, this is me. Sudden explosions, firecrackers or whatever, bring back too many old reactions from the past and I freak out. I know many others in the same boat.
Going down to the beach with my various Goan relations and they, being accosted by hoards of drunken males who take the festival as an excuse to molest others and make it seem normal, gets me in trouble very quickly, I react.
On the other hand, my wife is not troubled in any way, if someone becomes unmanageable, I am called for and subsequently get in more trouble.
I simply have decided in future to refrain from any activity outdoors and subscribe to my favourite pastime. Talisker and some good music.
NB: the active part of Diwali is short lived. A little like New years eve in Glasgow.

Glasgow is probably the only country in the world, that, if a nuclear bomb was dropped on it, it would look no different on the following day.
......BC & ME.....

rangss · Jul 11th, 2007, 06:53

Not sure of the joys.... I hate it when Diwali is around. I hate the use of fireworks especially the explosive ones. The sounds drive me crazy! It starts a couple of days before Diwali and goes on until three days after the festival. Almost an entire week of torture!

Sadanand Kamath · Jul 11th, 2007, 10:09

Diwali is a festival of lights but over a period of time, it has also become a 'festival' of fireworks.

Sadanand

PeakXV · Jul 11th, 2007, 10:29

...... there's some ripsnorting rummy parties happening if you like that sort of thing ..... no not the drink the card game

.... and they generally go on all night so don't expect to get home before dawn.

capt_mahajan · Jul 11th, 2007, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverMaple

. We don't know how far delights of festivities might be outweighed by possible festival problems like transport being crowded or not running or hotels being fully booked. So what are the joys & the hassles of being in India during Diwali?

For a first timer (if you are one), the delights will outweigh the problems, I would think.

But I would want to sleep in an area which is relatively free of noise and smoke, ( eg a soundproofed penthouse

), so I could escape when it became too much.

Transport will be normal, maybe more crowded sometimes. Hotels, yes, may require pre booking since this is peak travel season, schools being closed.

Amyth · Jul 11th, 2007, 19:11

Diwali is a delightful festival, but as a visitor you might get lost in the noise and chaos. The true fervor of the festival can be felt only by celebrating amid a Hindu family. On second thoughts chances are that the hotel you choose to stay might arrange for some fireworks and special gourmet spread to keep up the festival spirit!

Noise, smoke and chaos on the roads during Diwali last for almost three continuous days but it is only during evenings till midnight. And the train and flight rush is more than usual, but if you plan your itinerary well in advance, shouldn’t bother you...

Now look at the brighter side-
Most sales for ethnic clothes are being held in India during Diwali
If you happen to be in India 25 days before Diwali, you can witness Ramaleela (folk stage show of Mahabharata)
You can taste myriad Indian sweets ...
You can also take back some beautiful ethnic scented candles and terracotta lamps, especially crafted for Diwali.
Play cards and win your return ticket

I wonder if up north they still have those diwali melas (festive fairs), it could be fun visiting one...
Firework shows... and ...phew

But if you are too delicate to handle Noise and Smoke... It can be a Big HASSLE - an extremely enjoyable hassle though

, if you happen to be in Hyderabad for this Diwali, the invite is on!!

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 11th, 2007, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amyth

I wonder if up north they still have those diwali melas (festive fairs), it could be fun visiting one...
Firework shows... and ...phew

Yes we still have them..and they are getting bigger and better by the day !!

capt_mahajan · Jul 11th, 2007, 20:22

As children, in the 60's , these used to be one of the highlights of our family's Diwali in Delhi...

but now they are much bigger, glitzier and noisier ...

roopesh_kohad · Jul 11th, 2007, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amyth

If you happen to be in India 25 days before Diwali, you can witness Ramaleela (folk stage show of Mahabharata)

It should be Ramayana (life story of Lord Rama) not Mahabharata.

JMurray · Jul 11th, 2007, 22:34

Quote:

Noise, smoke and chaos on the roads during Diwali last for almost three continuous days but it is only during evenings till midnight.

When I was there in 2005, the noise went on well after midnight.
Here is an MP3 sound clip I recorded from the rooftop of my guesthouse. This went on all night.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/11...diwali2005.mp3

I'd have slept better in Iraq

Nick-H · Jul 11th, 2007, 22:42

Dreadful, here... nothing but explosions for over two days.

Amyth · Jul 11th, 2007, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by roopesh_kohad

It should be Ramayana (life story of Lord Rama) not Mahabharata.

Caught in the battle of life everything looks like Mahabharata to me

... You are right Roopesh, the name of the story is RAMAYANA and my middle name is Goofy!!

jbhangoo · Jul 26th, 2007, 21:21

Crowds are suffocating and the explosions are painfully loud and last for several nights. A real disgrace.

karuna · Jul 26th, 2007, 21:25

I'm actually quite disappointed by this! I was having vague notions of visiting for diwali and everybody's made it sound like entering a war zone.

Would it be better maybe in a small village with just a few families? (please say yes say yes say yes....)

Jul 11th, 2007, 04:28	#1
SilverMaple Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: York, England Posts: 50	Visiting India during Diwali - do festive sights outweigh the hassles? We could time our holiday to include the start of Diwali. We don't know how far delights of festivities might be outweighed by possible festival problems like transport being crowded or not running or hotels being fully booked. So what are the joys & the hassles of being in India during Diwali?

Jul 11th, 2007, 06:53	#3
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,834	Not sure of the joys.... I hate it when Diwali is around. I hate the use of fireworks especially the explosive ones. The sounds drive me crazy! It starts a couple of days before Diwali and goes on until three days after the festival. Almost an entire week of torture! __________________ ...and I took the road less travelled.

Jul 11th, 2007, 10:29	#5
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,030	...... there's some ripsnorting rummy parties happening if you like that sort of thing ..... no not the drink the card game .... and they generally go on all night so don't expect to get home before dawn. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Jul 11th, 2007, 19:11	#7
Amyth Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Paradise Posts: 383	Diwali is a delightful festival, but as a visitor you might get lost in the noise and chaos. The true fervor of the festival can be felt only by celebrating amid a Hindu family. On second thoughts chances are that the hotel you choose to stay might arrange for some fireworks and special gourmet spread to keep up the festival spirit! Noise, smoke and chaos on the roads during Diwali last for almost three continuous days but it is only during evenings till midnight. And the train and flight rush is more than usual, but if you plan your itinerary well in advance, shouldn’t bother you... Now look at the brighter side- Most sales for ethnic clothes are being held in India during Diwali If you happen to be in India 25 days before Diwali, you can witness Ramaleela (folk stage show of Mahabharata) You can taste myriad Indian sweets ... You can also take back some beautiful ethnic scented candles and terracotta lamps, especially crafted for Diwali. Play cards and win your return ticket I wonder if up north they still have those diwali melas (festive fairs), it could be fun visiting one... Firework shows... and ...phew But if you are too delicate to handle Noise and Smoke... It can be a Big HASSLE - an extremely enjoyable hassle though , if you happen to be in Hyderabad for this Diwali, the invite is on!! __________________ Smile -- it makes people wonder what you're up to

Jul 11th, 2007, 22:42	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,811	Dreadful, here... nothing but explosions for over two days. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jul 11th, 2007, 05:16	#2
Barryjames Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 93	I have only spent two Diwali festivals in India (Goa) Everyone has different preferences as to what they like, tolerate or simply ignore. It is entirely up to you and your psyche. Personally I find any kind of festivities a pain in the backside, unless it is something directly involving my own family or friends. My wife on the other hand; she will join in with everything and anything that is happening out of the normal. I cannot speak therefore for her, but, this is me. Sudden explosions, firecrackers or whatever, bring back too many old reactions from the past and I freak out. I know many others in the same boat. Going down to the beach with my various Goan relations and they, being accosted by hoards of drunken males who take the festival as an excuse to molest others and make it seem normal, gets me in trouble very quickly, I react. On the other hand, my wife is not troubled in any way, if someone becomes unmanageable, I am called for and subsequently get in more trouble. I simply have decided in future to refrain from any activity outdoors and subscribe to my favourite pastime. Talisker and some good music. NB: the active part of Diwali is short lived. A little like New years eve in Glasgow. Glasgow is probably the only country in the world, that, if a nuclear bomb was dropped on it, it would look no different on the following day. ......BC & ME.....

Jul 11th, 2007, 10:09	#4
Sadanand Kamath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 825	Diwali is a festival of lights but over a period of time, it has also become a 'festival' of fireworks. Sadanand

Jul 11th, 2007, 20:22	#9
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,724	As children, in the 60's , these used to be one of the highlights of our family's Diwali in Delhi... but now they are much bigger, glitzier and noisier ...

Jul 26th, 2007, 21:21	#14
jbhangoo Jessie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California/Chandigarh Posts: 14	Avoid Diwali Crowds are suffocating and the explosions are painfully loud and last for several nights. A real disgrace.

Jul 26th, 2007, 21:25	#15
karuna The cat's mother Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 1,233	I'm actually quite disappointed by this! I was having vague notions of visiting for diwali and everybody's made it sound like entering a war zone. Would it be better maybe in a small village with just a few families? (please say yes say yes say yes....)

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