The festival of lights is one of the most beautiful of Indian festivals. It comes 21 days after Dussehra and celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14-year exile. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps lit in the houses all over the country making it a night enchantment. Doorways are hung with torans (a decorative garland for the door) of mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis (designs on floor) are drawn with different colored powders to welcome guests. Worship of Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and fireworks and festivities are an essential part of the occasion.

Is held every year at Pushkar, near Ajmer. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in the holy waters of the Pushkar Lake. Trading of cattle, camel races and dazzling displays of bangles, brassware, clothes, camel saddles and halters are the major attractions of this colorful event which lasts for twelve days.

The magnificent city of Hampi, once the capital of Vijaynagar Empire, comes alive once again during the lively festival of dance and music, held in the first week of November.