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Experience Diwali: Celebrate with a Local Indian Family in Mumbai
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4 to 6 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in:
English
Offered languages
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- English
Experience Diwali, India's Festival of Lights, firsthand with a local family and knowledgeable guide in Mumbai. Learn about this ancient Hindu holiday as you shop for silk cotton clothes, celebrate in a local home, observe temple prayers, light firecrackers and enjoy a traditional Indian dinner. Round-trip hotel transport is included on this small-group tour, limited to 12, to ensure a personalized experience.
Please note: This seasonal tour runs one day per year (i.e. the day of the Diwali festival) annually in October or November. The dates are subject to change.
What's Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Traditional dinner
Carbon offset certificate
Transport by air-conditioned car
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities
Meeting and pickup
Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout
(multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:
We pick up from all city hotel in Mumbai.
What to expect
India’s annual Festival of Lights, known as Diwali, is celebrated in the late fall following the harvest, when people purchase new clothes, pray for prosperity, light fireworks and share an abundant feast.
During Small Diwali, people decorate their homes with clay lamps, or diyas. The next day, Diwali is celebrated to honor the Hindu god Lord Rama’s defeat of the demon king Ravana, and residents illuminate their homes and streets to honor this victory of good over evil.
After hotel pickup in the late afternoon on your selected day, your guide takes your small group to shop for Indian garments before the celebrations begin. As you travel through the city, note the open doors and windows at homes and Hindu temples, where people allow prosperity to pass through with prayer offerings to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Ganesh.
You'll pass on the overcrowded marketplace and head to a specialty shop known for clothing and other sustainable products made by rural artisans using traditional skills and hand-based processes. Women can try on silk cotton saris, skirts, and dupattas (long scarves); men can dress up in kurtas (long tunics) and nehru jackets. Shop assistants can help you decide what to purchase, but you won’t have to bargain since everything has a fixed price.
After shopping, head to the home of a local family and experience a traditional welcome with a beverage. Learn more about Diwali’s history and its associated festivities as you sip chai tea and enjoy light Indian snacks.
Powdered colors are poured on the floor to create intricate designs called rangoli, and females can opt to have the palms of their hands decorated with henna in traditional Indian design patterns (own expense; see Additional Info).
For dinner, your small group shares an authentic Indian feast with the host family, enjoying a selection of dishes accompanied by rice, Indian bread, salad, curd and pickle followed by desserts. When darkness falls, watch a fireworks display light up the skyline and join the celebration as locals light firecrackers in the streets.
Sated with Indian food and festivities, you’re returned to your hotel in Mumbai.
During Small Diwali, people decorate their homes with clay lamps, or diyas. The next day, Diwali is celebrated to honor the Hindu god Lord Rama’s defeat of the demon king Ravana, and residents illuminate their homes and streets to honor this victory of good over evil.
After hotel pickup in the late afternoon on your selected day, your guide takes your small group to shop for Indian garments before the celebrations begin. As you travel through the city, note the open doors and windows at homes and Hindu temples, where people allow prosperity to pass through with prayer offerings to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Lord Ganesh.
You'll pass on the overcrowded marketplace and head to a specialty shop known for clothing and other sustainable products made by rural artisans using traditional skills and hand-based processes. Women can try on silk cotton saris, skirts, and dupattas (long scarves); men can dress up in kurtas (long tunics) and nehru jackets. Shop assistants can help you decide what to purchase, but you won’t have to bargain since everything has a fixed price.
After shopping, head to the home of a local family and experience a traditional welcome with a beverage. Learn more about Diwali’s history and its associated festivities as you sip chai tea and enjoy light Indian snacks.
Powdered colors are poured on the floor to create intricate designs called rangoli, and females can opt to have the palms of their hands decorated with henna in traditional Indian design patterns (own expense; see Additional Info).
For dinner, your small group shares an authentic Indian feast with the host family, enjoying a selection of dishes accompanied by rice, Indian bread, salad, curd and pickle followed by desserts. When darkness falls, watch a fireworks display light up the skyline and join the celebration as locals light firecrackers in the streets.
Sated with Indian food and festivities, you’re returned to your hotel in Mumbai.
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Henna body art service available for USD $5.00 Please ask your tour operator for details
Supplied by
Delhi Airport Service
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Additional info
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- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Henna body art service available for USD $5.00 Please ask your tour operator for details
- Henna is made from a natural paste; it looks just like a permanent tattoo, but no needles are involved and the design only stays on the hands for a few days
- Please note that dress codes are conservative throughout India; modest and respectful clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is recommended
- Extra caution is advised when lighting candles and fireworks
Tags
Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Seasonal
Car Tours
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Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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Cancellation Policy
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Free cancellation
You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- For a 50% refund, you must cancel 2–6 full days before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 2 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
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Free cancellation
up to 6 days in advance
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