The festive season in India is never just about rituals and traditions, it is also about journeys, reunions, and rediscovering places that carry cultural, spiritual, and culinary significance.
According
to Cleartrip’s PeekABoo travel trends tracker, certain cities and towns are witnessing a remarkable surge in bookings this year. This year, travellers are mixing devotion with discovery. From sacred ghats to hidden beaches and bustling metros alive with festive spirit, here are the popular destinations you can go to for a flavour of the Indian festivals.
1. Temple Running in Madurai
Madurai stands out this festive season, with bus bookings soaring by 22%. Known as the cultural soul of Tamil Nadu. The Meenakshi Amman Temple, lit up during Navratri, remains one of the biggest draws. Travellers are also drawn to the Koodal Azhagar Temple and the Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple, two of the city’s most revered shrines, which echo with chants and traditional music during this season.
After temple hopping, one can stimulate their senses with the famous jigarthanda, fluffy idlis, and bustling bazaars filled with jasmine garlands and vibrant textiles.
2. Bambai Meri Jaan!
Mumbai, the city of dreams, transforms into the city of lights and devotion during Ganesh Chaturthi, and that explains the 20% surge in travel this season. The Lalbaugcha Raja pandal is the crown jewel of the celebrations, while the Siddhivinayak Temple and ISKCON Juhu witness heavy footfall from locals and travellers alike. Beyond the spiritual pull, the spectacle of Ganpati visarjan at Girgaon Chowpatty has become an unmissable experience, drawing crowds who want to witness the city’s most iconic celebration.
Travellers can also explore Mumbai’s heritage; from the ancient Elephanta Caves to the colonial charm of South Bombay’s architecture. The flavour of Mumbai lies in its lively street chaat, and the ever-beloved vada pav with chai, while hidden escapes like Bandra’s village lanes or a sunset ferry ride offer calm amid the city’s frenzy.
3. Adipoli Trivandrum
Kerala’s capital is emerging as one of the season’s most travelled-to destinations, seeing a 20% increase in bookings. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of India’s most mysterious and opulent shrines, draws devotees year-round and becomes especially significant during the festive season. Travellers also make time for the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, often referred to as the “Sabarimala of Women,” and the Parasurama Temple, believed to be one of the oldest in Kerala.
Beyond its temples, the golden sands of Kovalam, the calm of Varkala’s beaches, and the backwater experiences nearby all add to its festive charm. One can indulge in sadya, kappa meen curry, and carry home banana chips, brass lamps, mural art, and spices from local markets.
4. Vibes of Varanasi are Always Vibing
India’s spiritual capital, Varanasi, has always been synonymous with devotion, but this festive season it is drawing even more travellers, with a 16% rise in flight bookings. The ghats of the Ganga come alive during Navratri and Diwali, with the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat becoming an unmissable spectacle. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is at the centre of the pilgrimage circuit, while nearby Sarnath offers a meditative break with its Buddhist stupas and museums.
Food and culture remain inseparable from Varanasi’s identity. From dawn kachoris with sabzi to frothy thandai by the ghats and the winter delicacy of malaiyyo. The city’s narrow alleys tempt visitors with Banarasi sarees, brass idols, and wooden toys, while simply wandering in its streets.
5. Travel Back in Time?
The temple city of Bhubaneswar is seeing a healthy rise in festive travellers, with bookings grown by 10%. The city itself is a living museum of Kalinga architecture, with the towering Lingaraj Temple, the intricately carved Mukteshwar Temple, and the Rajarani Temple. During Durga Puja, the city’s pandals and cultural performances add an extra layer of festivity.
Travellers can also venture outwards to Konark’s Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Puri’s Jagannath Temple. The local food scene, with dalma and the chhena poda, offers travellers an authentic taste of Odisha. Dhauli Hills, associated with Emperor Ashoka’s transformation after the Kalinga War, adds a layer of historical depth for those seeking reflection alongside celebration.
6. Amader Kolkata, Amader Pujo (Our Kolkata, Our pujo)
No list of festive destinations is complete without Kolkata, where Durga Puja transforms the city into a stage for art, faith, and celebration. Travel bookings are up 5%, but the energy feels immeasurable. Every neighbourhood sets up its own pandal, ranging from traditional to contemporary, and the immersion of idols on the Hooghly and Kumartuli, the neighbourhood of idol-makers is an emotional spectacle.
And, of course, food is an integral part of the experience. Sandesh and mishti doi to the bustling street stalls serving kathi rolls and Pujo-special biryanis. For visitors, Kolkata during Durga Puja is less a trip and more a once-in-a-lifetime immersion.
This festive season, Indians are travelling not just to get away, but to seek connection with heritage, rituals, flavours, and with family. PeekABoo’s insights show that travel has become a way of celebrating festivals as much as a way of escaping them.
