North India Highlights

Flying from Goa to Delhi this two-night, three-day tour includes a train journey to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort plus a guided tour of the sites of India's historic capital city.

 
 
 

Celebrating Diwali in Goa

FEATURED Updated on Nov 10, 2023 by Stacey Parsons

Blog > Celebrating Diwali in Goa

Happening on 12th November 2023, India lights up for Diwali; one of the most famous festivals on the Hindu calendar.

One of the most important and well-known Hindu festivals, Diwali literally means ‘rows of lighted lamps’. An event in which people come together to celebrate good conquering evil, or perhaps more aptly, light conquering darkness; over a period of five days, family feasts, fireworks, candles and bright lights take over, along with prayers to the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi.


Image credit: harpreet singh | Flickr Creative Commons

 

When is Diwali?

Taking place in the autumn months somewhere between October and November, the date each year is determined by the Hindu lunar calendar, coinciding with the darkest new moon night. In 2023, Diwali falls on 12th November.

Diwali in Goa

There are several legends which surround Diwali, and in Goa, the locals celebrate the God Krishna, who defeated the demon Narkasur. During Diwali, it’s a common theme to see large figures of this demon parading the streets, some of which are then filled with fireworks to signify light triumphing over darkness. Some of these large effigies are made using straw and paper and are burnt at dawn in the villages. Gifts of sweets and food are given, and locals decorate their houses with bright lights and create colourful patterns (Rangoli) on the floor using coloured powder and rice, which are thought to bring good luck.


Rangoli. Image credit: Dinesh Korgaokar | Wikimedia Creative Commons

 

Making the most of the Diwali celebrations

Being in Goa during Diwali is an incredible experience, and we highly recommend a stay at the Taj Exotica during this time. The hotel often holds celebrations, including magnificent fireworks displays to mark this important festival. 

You can also find plenty of other holidays in November on our website, should you fancy something a bit different. 

Above photos: Taj Exotica

 

If you'd like to know more about some of the festivals and events that take place in Goa, visit our guide page. Or if you want to visit Goa during the Diwali celebrations, take a look at our latest winter offers, here.

Header image credit: Tukaram.Karve | Shutterstock

 

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Day 1: Departing Goa for Delhi our representative will meet you in the arrivals area of the airport. They will assist with your private transfer to your Delhi hotel which will be your base for two nights.

Day 2: This morning, you will depart Delhi railway staion to Agra. Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire, Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th and 17th century.

Taj Mahal

When you arrive in Agra you will be met by our representative who will introduce you to your guide who will take you to Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). On the inner walls, jewel-like stones create beautiful designs in white marble. The Mughals perfected the art of embedding semi-precious stones into marble and the Taj is the finest example of this special process called pietra dura. It begins with a marble plate, varying in size. Then jewels are sliced paper thin and embedded in the marble with such precision that the joints are invisible to the naked eye. Continue for a visit to the Agra Fort, a walled city constructed of red stone which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Construction of the fort was originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan, later made valuable additions to it.

You will also visit Itmad ud Daula, also known as Baby Taj. This tomb was built in 1622 for Ghiyas Beg, father of Empress Noor-Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir. It is beautifully conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice and set a precedent as the first Mughal building to be faced with white marble inlaid with contrasting stones.

Later, you will be driven back to Agra Cantt railway station, where you will board your train back to Delhi.

Day 3: After breakfast, proceed for the orientation city tour of Old and New Delhi including a visit of the 17th-century Jama Masjid and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. Stop in front of the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort for a photo opportunity.

Later proceed to New Delhi where you will be taken for a drive past the Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys, the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of fallen Indian soldiers and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. You will also visit Qutab Minar, the 12th-century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India.

After the tour you will be transferred to Delhi Airport to board your short flight back to Goa.

 

Two-night price from £825 per person

  • Prices are based on two people sharing including internal flights and two nights' accommodation on B&B and include transfers.
  • A choice of superior or deluxe accommodation is available.
  • You will be able to book this excursion either in the UK or on arrival / during your holiday to Goa.
  • Operates any day (subject to availability) except for Friday due to closure of the Taj Mahal.
 
Contact Us

Contact Us

For more information about this excursion, please contact our Goa specialists:

01489 866994 | Email Sales

 

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