India is a place where colour, culture and celebration vividly converge, creating a travel experience unlike any other.

From the palaces of Rajasthan to the lakes of Udaipur, the country has an energy that pulses to a rhythm of its own. And nothing epitomises that energy like the country during Diwali.

The Festival of Lights transforms both the streets and the skies into a living tapestry of brilliance, colour and celebration. It’s a time where you can truly feel India’s spirit.

‍

A Welcoming Light

India’s relationship with identity and self-expression runs deep, and its approach to inclusivity has continued to grow over the years.

While there’s still work to be done, same-sex relationships were decriminalised in 2018, and the recognition of the third gender has been woven into national identity law, granting greater visibility and respect to transgender and non-binary communities.

For queer travellers, in the country’s most progressive cities and luxury destinations, there is a quiet confidence that everyone deserves to celebrate, explore, and love freely.

‍

The Festival of Lights

As the name suggests, Diwali marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

During the festival, homes are decorated with a multitude of lamps and lights, doorways with marigolds, and, at night, fireworks turn the sky into a kaleidoscope of colour. Families come together to exchange sweets, offer prayers, and reflect during this period of renewal. 

Travelling through India at this time feels like stepping into a living mosaic of faith and festivity. Whether you find yourself wandering through Jaipur’s lantern-lit bazaars or watching candles silently drift across Lake Pichola, it’s the type of journey that should be on every bucket list.

‍

Light-touched Luxury

Mirroring India’s varied regions, the options of where to stay are as diverse and wide-ranging. Some of our favourites are:

Alila Fort Bishangarh‍

You’ll find Alila Fort Bishangarh sitting amongst the rugged Aravalli hills in northwest India. The juxtaposition between this 230-year-old fort and the elegant luxury it offers mirrors the balance between modern elegance and its poignant history.

The fort has been meticulously restored into a boutique hideaway that offers 59 suites carved into the original structure featuring stone walls, handcrafted furnishings, and incredible valley views.

Guests can dine at Haveli, a locally inspired cuisine restaurant within a relaxed courtyard setting, or enjoy a sunset cocktail at the rooftop grill restaurant Nazaara overlooking the desert horizon.

Guests are welcome to enjoy curated experiences that include culinary workshops, guided tours and fort walks through the Rajasthan landscape. For those looking to relax, the in-house Spa Alila blends traditional healing with modern wellness techniques.

‍

Aman-i-Khas

While part of the impeccable Aman family of properties, Aman-i-Khas is something special. An intimate safari camp situated near the wilds of Ranthambore National Park, Aman-i-Khas captures a spirit of adventure and blends it with elegant luxury.

The camp consists of ten luxury tents, inspired by Mughal design, each elegantly furnished with freestanding baths, flowing canopied ceilings and intimate fabrics that flow in the desert light.

At Aman-i-Khas your days will unfold at your own pace. Choose between starting your day with an early-morning game drive in search of tigers or a leisurely spa treatment using organic ingredients sourced from the surrounding terrain.

Dining is a unique, sensory experience, with both Indian and international dishes prepared over open flames or in traditional clay ovens. While away your evenings by the fireside, watching the constellations shoot across the sky.

‍

Taj Lake Palace‍

Think of the most romantic place you can. Without a doubt, Taj Lake Palace on Lake Pichola will top it.

Formerly a royal summer retreat, the white marble palace impossibly floats above the lake, with its reflection dancing over the water. Inside you will find 65 rooms and suites, each opulent yet intimate with silk drapes, antique period furniture and hand-painted motifs.

To enjoy this grandeur of Rajasthan’s royal past, guests will arrive by private boat and be welcomed by private butlers who ensure every stay feels uniquely personal.

During Diwali the palace becomes a spectacle of light and reflection, with candles illuminating the property so it appears to glow at night. Guests can choose to dine at the rooftop restaurant Bhairo, offering more European cuisine, or at the lakefront Jharokha, offering Indian classics.

Amanbagh

If you’re looking to find the slow rhythm of the countryside, Amanbagh is the hidden sanctuary within the Aravalli hills you’ve been searching for.

Fashioned as a contemporary interpretation of a Mughal palace, the property is a marvel of pink sandstone and jade-green marble. The suites on offer are vast, each with its own private courtyard or terrace, elegant furnishings and freestanding bathtub.

Matching the energy of the place, guests will be able to unwind at the palm-fringed pool, relax both body and spirit at the world-class Aman Spa, or simply wander the colonnaded walkways and jasmine-filled gardens. Amanbagh champions seasonal produce from their organic gardens and creates a dining experience that combines local flavours with global finesse.

‍

India Awaits

Experiencing India during Diwali, the Festival of Lights, offers up a unique window into a place where celebration is an inherent part of the generosity of the country. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the light of India, let Global Travel Moments guide your next journey.