India’s Celebrations: A Journey Across the Festival Cities

In India, festivals signify more than just times of the year, as they bring people together. They have the rare quality and ability of giving birth to moments, filling up every street, street corner, and household with colors, sounds, and immaculate joy. If you have ever had the opportunity to visit any Indian city during festivals, you would behold endless tunes serenading the heartland, and from distant strangers, smiles welcome you. Traditionally, these festivals are those days when old tales are unfolded and narrated. 

Here are my takeaways from amazing cities in India, where the spirit of festival season sets the streets ablaze with a strong, amazing energy that does not spare anything or anyone in its path. More importantly, these cities are all a few convenient flights away from the US. Ready to explore? Let’s begin

Delhi: The Quiet Beauty of Chhath Puja by the River

As evening falls over the Yamuna, gentle flames from oil lamps light up Delhi’s riverbanks with a warm, golden glow. Women in bright saris gently navigate into the water, balancing baskets filled with offerings. The air hums with soft prayers and the scent of marigold blossoms.

Here, tradition feels close and timeless. Walking through Purvanchali neighborhoods, you become part of a community honoring the sun with heartfelt devotion. It’s a peaceful, almost sacred experience—one that invites reflection amidst the city’s usual bustle.

How to reach: Flying direct or non-stop flights from San Francisco to Delhi offers the most comfortable way to reach the city. You can also consider more affordable flights from New York to Delhi if you are comfortable with a layover.

Ahmedabad: Nine Nights of Garba’s Dance and Delight

In Ahmedabad, Navratri isn’t just a day’s festival. It’s a celebration of spirit and movement that is celebrated for the whole nine days. From small neighborhoods to grand stadiums, the streets come alive with people swirling in vibrant dresses, their feet moving to the rhythmic beats of dhol drums. Joining a Garba circle under twinkling lights fills you up with pure joy that sweeps everyone off their feet.

Especially late at night, the city’s food stalls buzz with energy, serving spicy snacks to fuel the dancers. It’s a whirlwind of color, music, and laughter—the perfect way to connect directly with Gujarat’s soul.

How to reach: To travel to Ahmedabad, book a direct flight from New York to Mumbai, and then take a domestic flight to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD). Planning your trip during Navratri guarantees a genuinely festive experience.

Hyderabad: The Fierce Devotion of Bonalu

Hyderabad’s streets come alive with vibrant energy and fierce devotion during Bonalu. Women dressed in bright saris carry pots of rice on their heads, faces glowing with turmeric and vermilion, while drums thunder around them.

The procession toward Sri Ujjaini Mahakali Temple is both powerful and joyful, creating an atmosphere charged with energy and faith. Afterward, nothing hits the spot better than a warm plate of Hyderabadi biryani shared with welcoming locals. From the colors to the cuisine, everything leaves a mark on your heart.

How to reach: It’s best to plan a trip from Dallas to Hyderabad, using a connecting flight through Delhi, because of the lesser crowd.

Mumbai: Ganesh Chaturthi—The City’s Unstoppable Heartbeat

There’s no festival like Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. Gigantic clay idols of Lord Ganesha fill the streets, carried amid thunderous drumming and dances that spill late into the night. From Lalbaug to Juhu Beach, the city becomes a single, breathless celebration of faith and joy.

The welcome here is infectious—you can’t help but be drawn into the endless music, the sea colors of vibrant worshippers, and the moments of quiet devotion that punctuate the festivities.

How to reach: You can find the cheapest business class flights to Mumbai from Miami. Whether you want an affordable round trip ticket or a one-way flight ticket to Mumbai, Miami is your best option.

Quick Sample Itinerary Suggestion

• 2 Weeks, 3 Festivals: Enter Delhi to witness Chhath Puja, before heading down to Ahmedabad for Navratri, with a cheaper domestic flight on IndiGo or Vistara. Then attend a festival in the last two days in either Mumbai or Hyderabad by quickly hopping onto a short-haul regional flight facilitated by last-minute flight sales platforms such as Yatra, Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, or Travelopod.

• Go Where the Festivities Lead You: If your dates are flexible, always check festival calendars and select destinations that overlap in the same weekend. Give the whole weekend to Durga Puja in Kolkata and the very next weekend to Onam in Kochi.

• Local Travel Tip: Overnight trains (Indian Railways) are the way to go for the "in-between" legs; part of the cultural experience itself and can sometimes be a comfortable, atmospheric experience. 

• Stay Central: During festival days and nights, accommodation around the main event zones (like South Kolkata during Puja; Lalbaug for Ganesh Chaturthi) will ensure you are never away from the action-even sometimes less walking distance.

Tips for Booking the Best Flight Deals to India’s Festival Cities

• Book Early—Flash Sales Are There To Catch: Festival airfares shoot up very quickly. Track fares three to six months ahead with an open mindset to flash sales around some worldwide holidays or airline anniversaries.

• Travel Midweek: Late-night departures from Mondays until Wednesdays are cheaper than the weekend rush on US-India routes.

• Price Alerts: Set custom alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner, or Kayak for such routes as "San Francisco to Delhi," "New York to Mumbai," or "Miami to Mumbai," where they will notify you of price drops or deals.

• Using Nearby Airports: Sometimes it may be cheaper and more flexible to land in either Delhi or Mumbai and go by a short domestic flight or a fast train (especially for cities such as Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, or Chennai).

• Nonstop vs One-Stop: Nonstop flights (for instance, SFO-Delhi, Newark-Mumbai) save time, while a stopover might pay hundreds of dollars less for your ticket; compare both!

• Mix & Match Airlines: Round-trip fares are not always the best deal—in fact, sometimes booking two one-way tickets (even on different airlines/alliances) turns out to be the cheaper option.

• Leverage Points or Miles: Festival travel is a great way to utilize accrued points from US credit cards for significant discounts or even free flights on Air India, United, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and others.

• Look for Student and Senior Discounts: Major Indian airlines offer special fares for students and older travelers—check eligibility if you qualify.

• Stay Flexible at the Last Minute: Use platforms like Hopper, Lastminute.com, or Travelopod for last-minute deals on spontaneous journeys—Las Vegas, Orlando, or Chicago often have deeply discounted last-minute tickets to Delhi or Mumbai.

These places don’t just celebrate—they open their arms wide to you, inviting you to dance, pray, feast, and marvel. No matter your flight path—whether it’s a non-stop from San Francisco to Delhi or a connecting flight from Chicago to Mumbai—each city offers a feast for the soul and a story waiting for you to join.

So pack a light bag, an open heart, and let India’s festival cities sweep you into their timeless magic.