Festivals in India are not just rituals - they are an experience, a cultural immersion, and increasingly, a reason to travel. The festive season blends devotion, discovery, and indulgence as families and travelers explore temple towns, cultural hubs, and food streets across the country. According to Cleartrip’s PeekABoo travel tracker, 2025 is seeing soaring bookings across India’s spiritual and cultural hotspots, where faith meets flavors, and tradition meets togetherness.
If you’re planning a festive escape this year, here’s a deep dive into the top festive getaways of India in 2025.
1. Madurai - Temple Hopping and Cultural Charm
The Spiritual Heart of Tamil Nadu
Madurai, one of the oldest cities in India, is often called the “Athens of the East.” At its heart lies the Meenakshi Amman Temple, an architectural wonder with 14 gopurams, intricate carvings, and a history dating back over 2,500 years. During Navratri, the temple comes alive with dazzling lights, vibrant kolams (rangolis), music, and dance performances.Other Sacred Sites: The Koodal Azhagar Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple, one of the six abodes of Murugan, draw thousands of devotees.
Festive Culture: Madurai’s bustling bazaars brim with jasmine garlands, brass lamps, and handwoven textiles. Street food like jigarthanda (a cooling milk-based drink), idlis, and fiery curries complete the sensory journey.
Travel Trend: A 22% surge in bus bookings shows Madurai’s growing appeal as a Navratri getaway.
2. Mumbai - Ganesh Chaturthi Magic
The Festival of the City
Mumbai transforms into a living, breathing celebration during Ganesh Chaturthi. Introduced by freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak in the 1890s to unite people, it has now become the city’s biggest cultural spectacle.Iconic Rituals: The Lalbaugcha Raja pandal is a must-visit, with lakhs lining up for darshan. The visarjan (immersion) at Girgaon Chowpatty, with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” is among India’s most moving festive experiences.
Temples to Visit: Siddhivinayak Temple and ISKCON Juhu remain perennially crowded during the season.
Local Experience: Between pandal hopping, visitors enjoy vada pav, bhel puri, and Irani café chai. Heritage explorations in South Mumbai’s colonial quarter or ferry rides on the Arabian Sea add a calming contrast.
Travel Trend: 20% rise in festive travel reflects Mumbai’s continued pull during Ganesh Chaturthi.
3. Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) - Kerala’s Spiritual Escape
Temple Grandeur: At the heart of Kerala’s capital lies the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha, the serpent. Considered one of the richest temples in the world, it’s famed for its mysterious treasure vaults and sacred rituals.
Other Shrines: The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, known as the “Sabarimala of Women,” holds the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of women during Pongala. The Parasurama Temple, tied to Kerala’s mythical origin, adds depth to its spiritual lore.
Beyond Rituals: After temple visits, travelers unwind at Kovalam and Varkala beaches, explore tranquil backwaters, and savor sadya feasts served on banana leaves with dishes like kappa meen curry and avial.
Travel Trend: A 20% rise in bookings makes Trivandrum a balanced festive + leisure escape.
4. Varanasi - The Eternal City of Faith
Rituals by the Ganga: Varanasi, older than history itself, is the spiritual capital of India. During Navratri and Diwali, the ghats glow with thousands of diyas, while priests chant mantras at the evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
Sacred Spaces: The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Pilgrims also flock to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon.
Cultural Immersion: From dawn kachori-sabzi breakfasts to thandai and the winter delicacy malaiyyo, Varanasi is as much about food as it is about faith. Banarasi sarees, brassware, and wooden toys fill its labyrinthine lanes.
Travel Trend: Flight bookings are up by 16%, reflecting Varanasi’s pull as a Diwali hotspot.
5. Bhubaneswar - Kalinga Temples and Odisha Flavours
Temple City of India: Bhubaneswar boasts over 500 ancient temples, including the Lingaraj Temple, famed for its Kalinga-style architecture, Mukteshwar Temple, and the elegant Rajarani Temple.
Festive Spirit: During Durga Puja, the city erupts with colorful pandals, cultural programs, and folk dances like Gotipua.
Beyond Bhubaneswar: A short trip takes you to Konark’s Sun Temple (UNESCO site) and the Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
Local Cuisine: Odisha’s signature dishes - dalma, pakhala bhata, and chhena poda - offer a rich food journey.
Travel Trend: 10% growth in festive bookings makes Bhubaneswar a rising festive destination.
6. Kolkata - Durga Puja Extravaganza
The Festival That Defines a City: Durga Puja in Kolkata is more than a religious event - it’s an artistic, cultural, and social phenomenon. Entire neighborhoods come alive with elaborate pandals showcasing themes from mythology to modern politics.
Iconic Rituals: Idol-making at Kumartuli, dhunuchi naach (incense dance), and sindoor khela (vermillion ritual) mark the city’s devotion.
Food Culture: Kolkata offers sandesh, rosogolla, mishti doi, kathi rolls, and the famed Calcutta biryani with potatoes.
Travel Trend: Despite only a 5% rise in bookings, Kolkata’s cultural magnetism during Pujo is unparalleled.
7. Amritsar - Guru Nanak Jayanti & Diwali Lights
Why Visit: Amritsar, the spiritual center of Sikhism, is unmatched during Guru Nanak Jayanti and Diwali. The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) glows with thousands of oil lamps and fireworks reflected in the Amrit Sarovar, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
Rituals & Celebrations: Devotees participate in Akhand Path (continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib), kirtans (devotional hymns), and processions carrying the Sikh holy book. During Diwali, the temple complex is draped in fairy lights, and the fireworks show is said to rival any city in India.
Cultural Importance: The langar (community kitchen), which serves free meals to all irrespective of caste or creed, symbolizes equality and unity. On Guru Nanak Jayanti, lakhs of devotees are fed in one of the largest community dining experiences in the world.
What Else to Explore: Wagah Border ceremony, Jallianwala Bagh memorial, and Amritsari kulchas from local dhabas.
💡 Insider Tip: Visit a local phulkari (embroidery) workshop to take home Punjab’s traditional craft.
8. Pushkar - Camel Fair & Kartik Purnima
Why Visit: Set against Rajasthan’s desert backdrop, Pushkar Camel Fair is one of India’s most unique festivals. Coinciding with Kartik Purnima, it blends spirituality with rustic cultural charm.
Rituals & Celebrations: Pilgrims take a holy dip in Pushkar Lake on Kartik Purnima, believed to cleanse sins and bring blessings. Meanwhile, the fairgrounds host camel races, folk dances, puppet shows, and acrobatics. Traders from across Rajasthan showcase camels, cattle, and handicrafts.
Cultural Importance: Pushkar is home to one of the world’s few Brahma Temples, making it an important pilgrimage spot. The fusion of religion and carnival makes it both sacred and entertaining.
What Else to Explore: Desert safaris, Rajasthani food stalls, and vibrant bazaars selling silver jewelry and leather crafts.
💡 Insider Tip: Don’t miss the sunset over the sand dunes while folk musicians play traditional tunes.
9. Mysuru - Dussehra Grandeur
Why Visit: The Mysuru Dussehra is Karnataka’s pride, celebrated for over 400 years. It showcases royal traditions, blending spirituality with regal splendor.
Rituals & Celebrations: The highlight is the Jumbo Savari, a grand procession featuring caparisoned elephants carrying the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari from the Mysore Palace to Bannimantap. Cultural programs, classical music, and folk performances add vibrancy.
Cultural Importance: Rooted in the Vijayanagara Empire, the festival is an ode to Goddess Chamundeshwari’s victory over the demon Mahishasura. The Mysore Palace, illuminated with over 100,000 bulbs, becomes one of the most photographed landmarks during this time.
What Else to Explore: Chamundi Hills, Brindavan Gardens, and silk markets.
💡 Insider Tip: Try Mysore Pak, the city’s signature sweet, from a local sweet shop near the palace.
10. Rishikesh & Haridwar - Dev Deepawali
Why Visit: Known as the twin gateways to spirituality, Rishikesh and Haridwar come alive during Dev Deepawali, celebrated 15 days after Diwali.
Rituals & Celebrations: Thousands of diyas are lit along the Ganga ghats, creating a divine spectacle. Priests conduct grand Ganga Aarti, and pilgrims take ritual dips in the sacred river. In Rishikesh, yoga ashrams host special meditation sessions for spiritual seekers.
Cultural Importance: Dev Deepawali celebrates the descent of gods to earth. It is believed that performing rituals on this day earns blessings equivalent to performing countless holy acts.
What Else to Explore: Lakshman Jhula, rafting in Rishikesh, and Ayurvedic healing centers.
💡 Insider Tip: Stay in an ashram guesthouse by the Ganga to experience the meditative calm of the Himalayas.
11. Jaipur - Teej & Diwali Markets
Why Visit: The Pink City glows during both Teej (monsoon festival) and Diwali. While Teej celebrates the union of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, Diwali transforms Jaipur into one of the most beautifully lit cities in India.
Rituals & Celebrations: During Teej, women dress in green saris, apply mehendi, and join vibrant processions with decorated idols of Goddess Parvati. Streets are filled with folk music, dances, and traditional swings. During Diwali, Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar dazzle with illuminated arches, lanterns, and festive shopping.
Cultural Importance: Jaipur’s rulers historically patronized festivals, and the tradition continues today with light decoration contests across markets, making the city a photographer’s paradise.
What Else to Explore: Amber Fort light-and-sound show, City Palace, and artisanal markets for blue pottery and textiles.
💡 Insider Tip: Sample Ghewar, a festive sweet made with flour, sugar syrup, and malai, available only during Teej and Diwali.
✨ With these expanded getaways, the list now paints a pan-Indian festive trail - from the Golden Temple’s shimmering devotion to Mysore’s royal grandeur, from Pushkar’s desert carnival to Jaipur’s illuminated bazaars. Each destination offers not just celebration but a window into India’s living heritage.
India’s festive tourism in 2025 is not just about temples and rituals - it’s about rediscovering heritage, celebrating diversity, and savoring flavors. From Madurai’s temple chants to Kolkata’s Pujo pandals, from Varanasi’s glowing ghats to Mysore’s regal Dussehra, travelers are embracing festivals as cultural journeys.
Whether you seek spiritual awakening, culinary adventures, or cultural immersion, India’s festive calendar ensures there’s a destination waiting for you this year.