13 Diwali Like Festivals Celebrated Across The World
Home
Destinations Abroad & World Bindass Beaches Down South Hilly Borders Offbeat East Rangeelo Rajasthan Spiritual India All Abroad & World Thailand E Visa For Indian Tourists | Complete… May 30, 2019 Abroad & World Visit Bangkok | Steering Away From Travel Stereotypes October 9, 2018 Abroad & World Travel Singapore With Kids | 7 Day Singapore… March 6, 2018 Abroad & World 25 Offbeat Travel Experiences That You Must Soak… August 22, 2016 Bindass Beaches Mahabalipuram | Guide By A Travel Blogger February 12, 2018 Bindass Beaches The Mahabalipuram Trail January 4, 2018 Bindass Beaches Lesser Known Place To Visit in Goa October 28, 2012 Down South Vandanmedu | Explore the Land of Cardamom in… March 30, 2018 Down South Mahabalipuram | Guide By A Travel Blogger February 12, 2018 Down South Bangalore: City of Dreams November 9, 2016 Down South Memories of Road Drive June 17, 2016 Hilly Borders Dharchula Diaries : Gunji Village Enroute Adi Kailash… January 8, 2019 Hilly Borders Around Srinagar in 5 days | Kashmir Photo… July 7, 2018 Hilly Borders Tehri Lake Festival | 10 Reasons Why You… June 11, 2018 Hilly Borders Is Char Dham Yatra For Me? 9 Things… April 17, 2018 Offbeat East Sunderbans National Park– Is it Worth A trip? August 24, 2018 Offbeat East Majuli Island, A Place Unspoilt By Human Imagination March 20, 2018 Offbeat East Kaleidoscopic Assamese Culture At Rongali Festival, Guwahati February 20, 2018 Offbeat East See Kolkata, the Offbeat style November 27, 2014 Rangeelo Rajasthan The Hits & Misses Of Udaipur | Avoid… April 26, 2018 Rangeelo Rajasthan Top 5 Rajasthan Cities From A Travel Blogger’s… February 27, 2017 Rangeelo Rajasthan Memories of Road Drive June 17, 2016 Rangeelo Rajasthan Contrasting Colours of Rajasthan – A Photo Blog November 14, 2015 Spiritual India Reunion Of Gods At Nelang Valley | Published… March 4, 2017 Spiritual India 10 Beautiful And 1 Bonus (Charsi Baba) Pitstops… April 14, 2016 Spiritual India Rishikesh and Reflections January 19, 2016 Spiritual India 13 Diwali Like Festivals Celebrated Across The World November 10, 2015 Destinations Thailand E Visa For Indian Tourists | Complete… May 30, 2019 Destinations Dharchula Diaries : Gunji Village Enroute Adi Kailash… January 8, 2019 Destinations Visit Bangkok | Steering Away From Travel Stereotypes October 9, 2018 Destinations Sunderbans National Park– Is it Worth A trip? August 24, 2018
Abroad & World Bindass Beaches Down South Hilly Borders Offbeat East Rangeelo Rajasthan Spiritual India All Abroad & World Thailand E Visa For Indian Tourists | Complete… May 30, 2019 Abroad & World Visit Bangkok | Steering Away From Travel Stereotypes October 9, 2018 Abroad & World Travel Singapore With Kids | 7 Day Singapore… March 6, 2018 Abroad & World 25 Offbeat Travel Experiences That You Must Soak… August 22, 2016 Bindass Beaches Mahabalipuram | Guide By A Travel Blogger February 12, 2018 Bindass Beaches The Mahabalipuram Trail January 4, 2018 Bindass Beaches Lesser Known Place To Visit in Goa October 28, 2012 Down South Vandanmedu | Explore the Land of Cardamom in… March 30, 2018 Down South Mahabalipuram | Guide By A Travel Blogger February 12, 2018 Down South Bangalore: City of Dreams November 9, 2016 Down South Memories of Road Drive June 17, 2016 Hilly Borders Dharchula Diaries : Gunji Village Enroute Adi Kailash… January 8, 2019 Hilly Borders Around Srinagar in 5 days | Kashmir Photo… July 7, 2018 Hilly Borders Tehri Lake Festival | 10 Reasons Why You… June 11, 2018 Hilly Borders Is Char Dham Yatra For Me? 9 Things… April 17, 2018 Offbeat East Sunderbans National Park– Is it Worth A trip? August 24, 2018 Offbeat East Majuli Island, A Place Unspoilt By Human Imagination March 20, 2018 Offbeat East Kaleidoscopic Assamese Culture At Rongali Festival, Guwahati February 20, 2018 Offbeat East See Kolkata, the Offbeat style November 27, 2014 Rangeelo Rajasthan The Hits & Misses Of Udaipur | Avoid… April 26, 2018 Rangeelo Rajasthan Top 5 Rajasthan Cities From A Travel Blogger’s… February 27, 2017 Rangeelo Rajasthan Memories of Road Drive June 17, 2016 Rangeelo Rajasthan Contrasting Colours of Rajasthan – A Photo Blog November 14, 2015 Spiritual India Reunion Of Gods At Nelang Valley | Published… March 4, 2017 Spiritual India 10 Beautiful And 1 Bonus (Charsi Baba) Pitstops… April 14, 2016 Spiritual India Rishikesh and Reflections January 19, 2016 Spiritual India 13 Diwali Like Festivals Celebrated Across The World November 10, 2015 Destinations Thailand E Visa For Indian Tourists | Complete… May 30, 2019 Destinations Dharchula Diaries : Gunji Village Enroute Adi Kailash… January 8, 2019 Destinations Visit Bangkok | Steering Away From Travel Stereotypes October 9, 2018 Destinations Sunderbans National Park– Is it Worth A trip? August 24, 2018
May 30, 2019
October 9, 2018
March 6, 2018
August 22, 2016
February 12, 2018
January 4, 2018
October 28, 2012
March 30, 2018
November 9, 2016
June 17, 2016
January 8, 2019
July 7, 2018
June 11, 2018
April 17, 2018
August 24, 2018
March 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
November 27, 2014
April 26, 2018
February 27, 2017
November 14, 2015
March 4, 2017
April 14, 2016
January 19, 2016
November 10, 2015
Travel Food Fiesta Hotels Travel Tips Travel Stories Travel Videos Shopping Travel Trivia
Food Fiesta
Hotels
Travel Tips
Travel Stories
Travel Videos
Shopping
Travel Trivia
About About Myself About The Blog Work With Gitanjali Awards Galore Connect
About Myself
About The Blog
Work With Gitanjali
Awards Galore
Connect
Travel Experts
Ask A Travel Query
welcome
Yay! This blog was picked by Blogadda as Tangy Tuesday Picks. Thanks
Lights, rangoli, crackers, yummy mithai, gifts, shopping, family get-together, and card parties makes this a festival to look forward to. While, I was preparing for Diwali in full swing I was staggered by a question – Do people celebrate such kind of light festival in other parts of the world? Needless to say, I halted my Diwali preparations midway and started researching till I got the answer. You know how restless bloggers like me are 🙂
Interestingly, I found not one or two but 13 festivals of light quite similar to Diwali in format celebrated across the world. And, most of them like Diwali are held in winter.Some, even spooky! This makes me think how different yet similar we are. Ok, not getting too philosophical I present to you the list of 13 Diwali like festivals of lights from across the world. Take a cue and plan your winter holidays around them.
Also called ‘Shangyuan Festival’, Lantern Festival is celebrated on January 15 of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. It is also regarded as the last day of Spring Festival—the new festival of China. On this day, beautiful lanterns, mainly in red, can be seen hanging around everywhere. Acrobats, clowns, parades, music, and of course the Chinese Lion and Dragon Dances make this festival a must-attend.
One of the most picturesque festivals in Thailand is the festival of Loy Krathong, when people gathered around river to release their beautifully lotus shaped rafts (Krathong) in water. They adorn their raft with a candle, three-joss sticks, some flowers and coins. It is believed that Krathong carry away bad luck and evil powers. The festival is celebrated in November on a full moon light in. The breathtaking sight of thousands of Krathongs and their flickering candles floating on the water glimmering under a full moon night, is truly magical.
Like its name, this unique fire festival showcases yet another fun-filled aspect of Spain’s amazing culture. It is commemorated as a feast day which is celebrated in the honor of St. Jospeh. The festival marks the end of evil powers, called ninots, which are made up of wood and cardboard. Later these are put into fire symbolically marking the end of evil. Sounds like our Dussehra , isn’t it?
Celebrated in October, this festival transforms Berlin into multihued illuminated artifacts which are always known for their spellbound beauty. This along with a series of cultural events and a great spread of sumptuous dishes make it a complete festival.
Japanese love to celebrate their festivals with pomp and lights in myriad of hues. However, if I have to pick one of them, it would surely be this festival-Aomori Nebuta Matsuri. On this festival, beautiful parades are held across the Aomori city where huge colorful floats are illuminated while the background reverberates with traditional Japanese music. The ambience and grandeur of the festival is instilled with patriotic feelings.
Undeniably, it is one of the most colorful festivals throughout the world. The Venice Carnival, Italy is all about drama. Unique masks, parties on the go, live band, colorful boats, massive light decorations, and music and dance are the highlights of this event. This is one party you should definitely plan to go.
East Peoria kicks off the holiday season in great fun and mirth. This two-month long festival has made Thanksgiving Day so much fun. Colorful parades, amazing laser shows, illuminated floats and hundreds of cultural events jazz up the spirits of people who throng from different parts of the world to witness its grande.
It is a day when dead relatives are allowed to return to their loved ones for two days. Living people welcome the spirits of their family members with yummy food and beverages. Graveyards are decorated with lights and flowers. The entire family gathers in the graveyard to take their family members (of course dead ones!). Spooky, isn’t it? Celebrating in the graveyard!
Every year in late November or early December, this festival is celebrated in Nepal at Pashupatinath Temple near Kathmandu. An all night vigil by the light of small wick lamps marks the onset of celebrations.
The last day of each year is celebrated in Scotland as Hogmanay. From traditional fireworks and torchlight procession to street parties with live band, this festival is quite popular among people. It is believed that the blazing fire burns the spirits of previous year while inviting new spirits for the next year. A new-year party that you shouldn’t miss!
Held in late October, it is an extension of the Halloween celebrations wherein competition of pumpkin pyramid making is organized. The highlight of the event is pumpkin pyramid lightning. There are games, live music, delectable food, and the (most important) beer garden. Due to the last year’s riot, in 2015, this festival was celebrated in Laconia.
Now this is one such festival that shares quite resembles Indian Diwali celebration. In France, people celebrate Lyon’s Heritage with lots of lights. People illuminate their windows with candles and creatively decorate the entire city.
If Lakshmi Puja, crackers and sweets mark the beginning of Diwali, then Hanukkah does the same but in a “tasty” manner. Jewish celebrated the festival to commemorate the redirection of their pious temple in Jerusalem. It is eight-day long celebration which is more like homecoming of people. Candelabrum with nine branched Hanukkah is kept lighted for these days. Along with this, a table full of yummy delicious is set to tickle the taste buds.
A very happy and prosperous Diwali to all my readers!
Did I miss any festival that deserves to be here? Do tell me in the comment section below.
Picture Credit: Photopin, Creative Commons
Gitanjali Banerjee studied International Relations from JNU, worked as a teacher, and then moved on to follow her heart. Juggled with freelance writing and blogging. Has worked with Airtel , Educomp and now is with MakeMy Trip. A content manager by profession, she blogs avidly, loves to travel, read and cook.
wonderful writings…
Wow! That is a load of interesting information. We are not alone… feels good. 🙂
Interesting write-up…didn’t know all this. Thank you very much ?
Hi Gitanjali! This is such an inspiring research you have done. I can relate to the effort done by you to bring this post up so beautifully. Loved it! 🙂
Your kind words are much appreciated!
Very interesting.. I attended Loi Lrathong lat ear in Bangkok Thailand
Yes, it is on my bucket list too!
Again second trial to comment 🙁
That was an interesting read. So important to research for writing. Isn’t it? Great job! Happy Diwali 🙂
Yes, I was intrigues by this question and the answer resulted in a blog. We bloggers are truly mad 🙂
A very happy Diwali to you and your hubby. May you travel the world and take on the blogging world by the storm.
P.S: I got both your comments.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .
1 Yes, I Eat Non Veg during Navratri September 24, 2014
2 A Letter To My teacher on Teacher’s day September 5, 2014
3 Shopping in Bikaner, an Insider’s Guide July 18, 2014
4 Around Srinagar in 5 days | Kashmir Photo Blog July 7, 2018
5 13 Diwali Like Festivals Celebrated Across The World November 10, 2015
5 Most Beautiful Cities Of Europe August 16, 2019
Thailand E Visa For Indian Tourists | Complete Guide May 30, 2019
Dharchula Diaries : Gunji Village Enroute Adi Kailash Mansarovar January 8, 2019
Visit Bangkok | Steering Away From Travel Stereotypes October 9, 2018
Sunderbans National Park– Is it Worth A trip? August 24, 2018
Google +
RSS
Content Projects
Destinations
videos
@2017 - Travel By Karma. All Right Reserved.