Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with grandeur and joy across the world. This year, experience the magic of Diwali by combining tradition with luxury at stunning destinations. Whether you’re seeking cultural festivities, luxurious retreats, or serene escapes, there are countless ways to elevate your Diwali celebrations. Here are some exclusive destinations and offers that promise an unforgettable experience, blending the charm of the festival with the elegance of world-class hospitality.

Fairmont Jaipur: Grandeur and Tradition

This Diwali, step into a world of opulence, where timeless traditions meet luxury. From diya-lighting ceremonies to chef-curated gourmet dinners, you’ll find yourself immersed in the warmth of the festive season. Engage in festive rituals, indulge in bespoke culinary journeys, and participate in culturally inspired activities like diya-making and rangoli art. Whether you choose a family retreat or an intimate celebration, you’ll be surrounded by stately architecture, lush landscapes, and a serene atmosphere perfect for reflection and festivity.

Fairmont Jaipur offers an immersive Diwali experience, where guests can indulge in a regal celebration set amidst the grandeur of Rajasthan. The festival kicks off with a lavish buffet breakfast and continues with a diya lighting ceremony and a traditional Diwali Pooja. The signature Fairmont evening ritual enhances the festive spirit with flaming torches and nagada drums. Guests can enjoy cultural performances and local delicacies during “Shaam E Khaas.” Fairmont Jaipur offers discounts on spa treatments, food, and beverages, ensuring a rejuvenating and indulgent Diwali celebration.

Raffles Jaipur: Enchanted Diwali Glamour

Amidst the regal charm of Rajasthan’s heritage, celebrate Diwali with traditional poojas, diya-lighting ceremonies, and live performances. Indulge in decadent buffets, enjoy happy hours with special offers, and relax with spa treatments designed to rejuvenate your spirit.

Raffles Jaipur presents an extraordinary Diwali celebration from 29th October to 4th November 2024. This opulent experience invites guests into a world of luxury amid Rajasthan’s royal heritage, surrounded by the tranquil Aravalli Hills. The hotel blends timeless traditions with modern elegance, offering a special Diwali package that includes gourmet meals, festive rituals, and exclusive diya-lighting ceremonies. Guests can enjoy a Chef’s Special Diwali dinner and engage in activities like diya and rangoli-making. With its lush landscapes, exquisite architecture, and serene ambiance, Raffles Jaipur ensures a festive retreat filled with lasting memories.

voco Jim Corbett: Spa Rejuvenation and Nature

For those seeking tranquility this festive season, voco Jim Corbett offers a Spa Rejuvenation Package amidst lush greenery. The Tatva Wellness Spa provides holistic treatments for relaxation and rejuvenation. The package includes a 60-minute therapy, buffet breakfast, evening high tea, and a 20% discount on food and beverages. Guests can dine at Veda or unwind at Kosi Bar & Kitchen, with scenic views of the Kosi River enhancing their Diwali experience.

Rambha Palace, Odisha: Family Weekend Escape

Celebrate Diwali at the 200-year-old Rambha Palace, set on the picturesque banks of Chilika Lake. The palace combines 18th-century splendor with modern luxury, offering an exclusive family weekend package. The stay includes welcome indulgences, meals, a 60-minute spa treatment, and activities such as a boat ride, cooking class, and guided yoga. Guests are also treated to a picnic with blackbucks, making it a perfect blend of luxury, wellness, and wilderness.

Cordelia Cruises: Festive Memories at Sea

Set sail on an unforgettable Diwali voyage with Cordelia Cruises from 28th October to 1st November 2024. The 4-night, 5-day journey from Mumbai to Lakshadweep promises a unique celebration aboard India’s premier cruise liner, The Empress. Guests can enjoy luxury accommodations, dining experiences, and water sports activities in Lakshadweep. Onboard, the entertainment continues with rock climbing, spa treatments, and open-bar evenings, ensuring a vibrant and festive escape.

Six Senses Bhutan: A Spiritual Himalayan Retreat

For a serene and spiritual Diwali, Six Senses Bhutan offers a journey through five unique lodges nestled in the Himalayas. Each lodge, from Thimphu to Paro, provides personalized wellness experiences inspired by traditional Bhutanese healing practices. Guests can enjoy treatments with crystals, hot stone baths, meditation, and explore Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage. This luxurious retreat promises a rejuvenating Diwali surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of Bhutan.

Suryagarh, Jaisalmer: Diwali in the Thar Desert

Suryagarh offers a Diwali celebration dipped in gold, set against the majestic backdrop of the Thar Desert. Guests can partake in a traditional Diwali Pooja, enjoy a lavish Indian buffet, and be mesmerized by performances from Manganiyar artists. With a serene ambiance, cultural performances, and luxurious dining, Suryagarh promises a regal Diwali experience like no other.

Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner: Bikaneri Diwali

Narendra Bhawan invites guests to embrace the festive spirit of Diwali with a two-night stay in the historic city of Bikaner. The package includes delightful breakfasts, celebratory cocktails, and an elegant dinner soirée. This Diwali, guests can experience the warmth of Bikaneri hospitality, surrounded by history and charm.

Palazzo Versace, Dubai: Italian Elegance

Palazzo Versace Dubai sets the stage for a glamorous Diwali celebration. With its Italian-inspired architecture, the hotel offers a luxurious setting for festive gatherings. Guests can indulge in a sumptuous buffet dinner on 31st October and 1st November, savoring vibrant flavors and festive delights in an opulent environment.

The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace: Weekend of Luxury

The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace offers the ‘Weekends at Westin’ package, perfect for a relaxing Diwali retreat. Available on Fridays and Saturdays, the package includes a gourmet breakfast, handcrafted cocktails, and happy hours at the hotel’s bars. Guests booking five or more rooms can enjoy a bespoke poolside barbeque, while families can participate in cooking sessions. The weekend culminates with a lavish Sunday brunch, ensuring a festive escape filled with indulgence and luxury.

This Diwali, from Rajasthan’s royal palaces to serene escapes in Bhutan and luxury cruises, there’s a perfect destination for every type of celebration. Choose your ideal getaway and make this festival of lights a memorable and enchanting experience.

Editor’s Note: Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.

CNN
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Bringing the second day of this year’s Coachella to a close, K-Pop girl group Blackpink made history Saturday night when they became the first Asian act to ever headline the festival. To a crowd of, reportedly, over 125,000 people, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rosé used the ground-breaking moment to pay homage to Korean heritage by arriving onstage in hanboks: a traditional type of dress.

While the garments were shrugged off a few seconds into their opening track, “Pink Venom,” revealing each member’s custom black and pink Dolce and Gabbana outfit, fans across the world had already received the message. Screenshots of the moment quickly spread among Blackpink superfans, otherwise known as Blinks. “The way they stepped onto the biggest western stage in hanboks … literally proved their place at the top of the industry,” tweeted one Blink. “Blackpink really are in a league of their own.”

Another called the group “Korea’s cultural delegation” on Instagram, in reference to not only the hanboks but other visual cues incorporated into their show, such as one of the stage backdrops featuring an angular tiled roof reminiscent of traditional Korean architecture.

In recent years, Blackpink have enjoyed a meteoric rise to global fame. According to Guinness World Records, they are currently the most streamed female group on Spotify, and have the most-viewed music YouTube channel. Last year, they were the first female K-Pop group to reach number 1 in the UK and US album charts, and in 2020 their track “How You Like That” became the most viewed video on YouTube in 24 hours. (The group also wore modernized hanboks, designed by Kim Danha, in one of the music video’s scenes.) Their landmark set over the weekend was in fact a follow-up to another milestone: In 2019, they became the first female K-Pop group to ever play at Coachella or any other US festival.

From the iconic Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra worn by Madonna for her 1990 Blond Ambition tour to Geri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell’s Union Jack mini dress, the right stage costume can live on forever in public memory. Particularly when worn at a career-defining moment. During another watershed Coachella performance — Beyonce’s 2018 headline set — the singer’s custom Balmain collegiate-style yellow hoodie was a joyful nod to Black culture, specifically historically Black colleagues and universities.

The group’s four black hanboks were custom created by South Korean pattern design brand OUWR and traditional Korean dressmakers Kumdanje. Inspired by the Cheol-lik silhouette, each garment was hand-embroidered with metallic traditional Korean motifs, including dan-cheong patterns and peonies (a symbol of royalty in Korea). “It was our pleasure and such an honor to be able to show the beautiful values of Korea and Hanbok together,” the designers wrote in a combined Instagram post. “Blackpink showed the beauty of Korea and dazzled the world.”

In Korea, hanboks are still worn for special occasions and often seen on TV dramas. Many designers in the country have also created contemporary takes that are incorporated into everyday wear. At Seoul Fashion Week, JULYCOLUMN’s Fall-Winter 2023 collection drew on the hanbok’s voluminous silhouette to create shirts and structured jackets. Last September, Korean label BlueTamburin brought the garment to a Western audience by exclusively using traditional hanbok fabric to create its Spring-Summer 2023 collection at Milan Fashion Week.

Whether you’re a devoted Blink or not, the looks marked a moment of Asian visibility, recognition of traditional craftsmanship and a powerful example of feeling seen through fashion — representing Korean culture and symbolically embracing both its past and future.

At the end of their performance, and having addressed the audience between numbers in English throughout their two-hour-long performance, Blackpink finished their set in Korean: “Until now, it has been Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé Blackpink. Thank you.”

Top image: Blackpink performing at the first weekend of Coachella 2023, shortly after removing their hanboks.