12 Most Magnificent New Year Eve Celebrations in the World

On 31^st December, as the clock will strike 12, we will be ready to welcome the new year with open arms. New Year Eve is celebrated worldwide by all individuals regardless of their religion or nationality. Raucous, Ribald or Relaxing - whatever you are in mood for, you will find the apt celebrations across the globe. So, be prepared to drink, dine, dance and crash this New Year’s Eve. We can find celebrations happening in all the places in the world in some way or the other but there are many countries who believe in greeting the first day of the year in a truly extravagant style!

The NYE celebrations in these 12 countries will make you book your tickets right now!!

Sydney, Australia

Be among the firsts to ring in the New Year along with thousands of people who gather around the Sydney Harbour for one of the most spectacular fireworks at midnight. You can expect to see indigenous smoking ceremonies, aerial flyovers with messages in the sky, light shows and a lighted boat parade. You can join the dance party at Bondi beach or being summer time in Australia, you can dance your night away in your favourite shorts!

Image Source: Wikipedia

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Always a party town, millions of people gather to celebrate the New Year’s Eve. The party starts from 6pm on the famous 4-mile long strip that is closed for vehicles and is open for those who want to walk around, drink, club hop, dance and enjoy various fireworks being shot from many hotels. So for the people who are in a mood for a little debauchery, the sin city – Las Vegas is for you.

Image Source: Wikipedia

New York City, USA

New Year in the New York’s Times Square is what millions of people around the globe wish to be a part of, especially those who are watching it live on TV, where another millions of people are already counting down the seconds to midnight to witness the huge ball being dropped from a flagpole atop the former New York Times Building, for which the iconic square is named. This is a 100 years old American tradition. You will witness star studded entertainment, pyrotechnic lightshow, world class fireworks display and people streaming between lively clubs.

Image Source: Flickr

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

You will be swept away by the carnival atmosphere on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Millions of visitors are dressed in white, which is a tradition called Reveillion, lined up near the beaches and throwing flowers in the waves at midnight for the African sea goddess Yemanja. Afterwards, the beaches, streets, bars and roads are filled with people enjoying drinks and music & dance. The fireworks in the sky above the far-fetched sea are truly a spectacular watch.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Dubai, UAE

Dubai is home to many of the worlds’ iconic structures – Burj Khalifa, Burj-Al-Arab, Atlantis the Palm and to witness the extravagant celebrations at these places is a lifetime experience. The parties hosted by Dubai stands out from the rest of the world. The Dazzle, the midnight fireworks, the shows the performances by superstars bring such an unparallel dimension to the parties that it is difficult for others to match it especially in terms of its grandeur. Dubai has so much to offer that once you are here on 31^st December, you will be compelled to come year after year.

Image Source: forbes

London, England

Over a million visitors gather around the bank of Thames River and start the countdown as they wait for the Big Ben to strike 12! The magnificent show of lights & fireworks start subsequently, the highlight being the swirl firework from the London Eye and the city getting echoed by British rock music. The celebration continues until wee hours of the morning with activities planned for the next day including the three-hour parade of marching bands, colourful floats, costumed dancers and a procession of queen’s horses.

Image Source: visitlondon

Paris, France

The City of Love turns into The City of Fireworks with hoards of people waiting to ring in the New Year with a bottle of champagne in hand and the view of Eiffel tower in front of them. The glittering Eiffel tower showcases one the most beautiful display anywhere when fireworks burst from the entire length of its iron structure. The streets of Paris come alive with people celebrating, making rounds of bars & clubs with their family and friends.

Image Source: Wikipedia/citywonders

Madrid, Spain

The tradition of eating twelve grapes one by one for each stroke of the clock at midnight on 31^st December is considered a sign of good luck in the coming year. Whether you believe it or not the experience is a lot of fun when millions of people are doing it together in front of the clock in Puerta del Sol Plaza. The atmosphere is amazing: confetti, music and streamers everywhere, people in wigs, hats and masks watching the Gran Via for fireworks.

Image Source: passportpacked

Tokyo, Japan

The Japanese title for New Year is Shogatsu and it is said that Japan was one of the first countries to make use of excitement of fireworks to celebrate special occasions so we shouldn't be surprised at how seriously they commemorate the New Year - setting fireworks that can be viewed for miles across the Tokyo Bay. The tradition of ‘Hatsumode’ is completed by visiting the temple where the temple bell rings 108 times at midnight. If you stay through 2^nd January, you can access the palace ground, that is one of the two days when it is opened for public.

Image Source: traveljapanblog

Hawaii, USA

The attractive beaches of Hawaii are filled with people enjoying at the beachside bars and clubs where special activities are planned for the celebrations including theme nights and contests. New Year in Hawaii means gorgeous weather, breathtaking views and lively galas. Outdoor music concerts and boat cruises are special attractions as the beautiful water gets lit up by the midnight fireworks.

Image Source: hawaii-nye

Moscow, Russia

In Russia, during the winter season, the day becomes very short giving way to an extremely long party night. The celebration takes place at the Red Square that looks amazing with vibrant lights and splendid fireworks. The clubs and bars in Moscow offer lavish, louder, bigger and extravagant parties that will definitely amaze you. Watch out for the fireworks display that is set off behind the gleaming domes of St.Basil’s Cathedral.

Image Source: pursuitist

Goa, India

India’s coastal “party state” Goa regularly tops the travel lists as one of the best places to celebrate New Year Eve. The party starts 4-5 days before 31^st December with the famous SUNBURN and VH1 Supersonic events which are fairly similar – dancing on the sand, big main stage pyrotechnic shows and performances by the superstars of EDM and trance. The beachside bars explode foot tapping music and people dance all night long. The striking firework above the ocean is a great show.

Image Source: bookmyshow

Diwali in foreign land: 12 International Destinations where Diwali is Celebrated

Diwali is the most extravagant festival amongst all Hindu’s festivals. The country glitter with lights and it gives one more reason to meet folks. For many it’s time to be with family but there are few who prefers a quick escape during the holidays. So, if you are in these 12 countries you can have the best of both the worlds – celebrate Diwali with a little cultural twist and explore a new destination!! 

LONG LIVE THE TRAVEL BUG J

1. Nepal

Our neighbor celebrates 5 days of festival which is similar to what happens in India but with a difference. They call Diwali as “Tihar” where Day 1 is for worshipping the Cows, Day 2 for Dogs, Day 3 is all about lights and crackers, Day 4 to pray the God of death – Yam and Day 5 is Bhaiya Dooj.

Image Source: TheHindu

2. Indonesia

The population of Hindus present in Bali is in great numbers hence you can feel the festivity in the beautiful island. The people in Bali decorate their houses, burn lamps and lights and pray on Diwali. There cannot be a better time to visit Bali.

Image Source: villa blog

3. Sri Lanka

India’s neighbor down south shares the India’s history because of ‘Ramayana’. It is said that there are still traces left in Sri Lanka which proves Ramayana happened. Though Diwali is not celebrated in a traditional way but people light oil lamps and visit each other for splendid meals.

Image Source: srilanka.se

4. Thailand

Yes, not just for exotic beaches, enjoyable nightlife and picturesque locales, visit Thailand for the beautiful festival of Diwali or ‘Lam Kriyongh’ as they call it. People make diya’s with banana leaf and make it float in the river after placing candles in it. The tradition for flying lanterns is also popular.  

Image Source: ktshores

5. Singapore

Singapore too enjoys Diwali sans cracker. It has 18 Hindu temples and a place call “Little India” where you can find many Indian restaurants as well. The streets are lit up and the festival is enjoyed with family and friends.

Image Source: wikipedia

6. Japan

The sky radiates with thousands of flying lanterns and people hang lanterns and other hangings in the orchards and trees. The Diwali in Japan is very different from India as boating is preferred on that day and song & dance activities can be seen everywhere.

Image Source: panrimo

7. Mauritius

With a large Hindu population and own version of Ramayana, Mauritius celebrates Diwali in a grand way. For the country, Diwali is celebrated as Lord Krishna killed the Demon Narkasuran on this day. The rest of the celebrations is similar to what we do in India.

Image Source: demotix

8. Malaysia

‘Hari Diwali’ is celebrated in Malaysia in South Indian tradition of oil bathing before they offer the final prayers. Even though the Hindu population is less than 10%, Diwali is still celebrated across the country in a grandeur way.

Image Source: internet

9. Myanmar

Touching our eastern border is the country of Myanmar. It has Hindu population because of its proximity to India. They too follow the solar calendar and celebrate Diwali as we do in India with addition of traditional song and dance performances.

Image Source: mediacache

10. Guyana

With 33% of Indian population, this country in northeast cost of South America started Diwali celebrations way back in 1853 with migrating Indian. Loads of food, lights and meeting people marks the celebration of Diwali.

Image Source: Flickr KPillay

11. Britain

The Indians are the second largest ethnic minority in Britain. The occasion starts with visiting the temples to pray Goddess Lakshmi which they make especially for Diwali. The lamps and Diyas are lighted, sweets are made, tempting dinner is served and conch shell is blown during the prayer session of Lakshmi.

Image Source: rikbasra.com

12. South Africa

Indian South Africans form the largest group of Indian descent born outside India. Of the one million Indian immigrants, 65% are Hindus and that’s why all Hindu festivals are celebrated there, Diwali being a major one. In 2007, a book claimed the country to be celebrating 100^th Year of Diwali.

Image Source: Flickr TheAge

The 5 famous Dussehra in India

Dussehra, also known as Vijay Dashmi, is celebration of victory of good over evil. It is one of the most important festivals of Hindu which is celebrated across India. Here is a list of 5 places in India where Dussehra is celebrated in a grand ceremony.

Image Source: Wikipedia

1. Kullu Dussehra

Kullu attract a lot of tourists during this time as Himachal Pradesh has given a status of international festival to Dussehra. Celebrated in the Dhalpur maidan of Kullu Valley, the festival is one of the most important for the folks of Kullu. Idols of gods are taken on the head of devotees to meet Lord Raghunath on the ground. In the last day of the 7 days festival, a procession where strangely shaped enormous flutes are carried is led to River Beas and the wood logs are set on fire as a mark of burning Ravana’s Lanka. All this is led by King of Kullu.

2. Mysore Dasara

Dasara in the Mysore district of Karanataka marks the end of the 10 days long state festival. Celebrated in a majestic style, the tradition is 400 years old where the Mysore palace is lit throughout the 10 days. The Dasara exhibition is held every year since 1880 which gives a taste of local food, shopping and fun rides. The elephant procession from the palace to the Dasara ground is a must watch.

3. Bastar Dushera

It is a unique cultural trait of Chattisgarh. Celebrated by the locals with a lot of vigor, the festival is to mark respect to the Goddess Danteswari. Bastar Dushera is celebrated in the kingdom of Dandakamya where Lord Rama is believed to have spent his 14 years of exile. The city of Jadalpur is famous for many sacred temples.

4. Barara Dusshera

The small city of Barara near Ambala is about 80-90kms from Chandigarh. The distinctive thing about the Barara Ravana is the height of its effigy. Every year, the height is increased by a few feet and the Ravana now stands tall at around 200 feet.

5. New Delhi

The most extravagant, dramatic and the entertaining Dusshera happens in the capital of India. The 9 days long Navratri festival culminates on the 10^th day of Dusshera by burning the huge effigies of Ravana and his two brothers. A lot of firework lit the sky and the darkness ends with the people celebrating the victory of good.

Dusshera in Kullu. Source: Wikipedia