Varanasi Dev Diwali
3 Days / 2 Night
Dev Deepawali or Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is celebrated on Kartik Poornima, the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik, fifteen days after Diwali. Dev Deepawali is not standalone, in itself. It is celebrated on the last day of Ganga Mahotsav, which begins on Prabodhini Ekadashi (11th day of the Lunar month of Kartik) and ends in Dev Deepawali which will fall on November 15 this year. It is interesting to note that Dev Deepawali in Varanasi also coincides with Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Dev Deepawali Date 15 November
Not to be confused with Deepawali (or Diwali), Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali in Varanasi is a festival celebrated every year on the occasion of Kartik Poornima. This happens to be 15 days after Diwali.
For most travellers and spiritual seekers alike, Varanasi is a dream destination. People from all over the world come and stay in this city for days, seeking spiritual peace, meditating on the banks of the Holy River Ganga and paying several visits to the temples in what is popularly known as the city of temples. Dev Deepawali in Varanasi or Dev Diwali is that time of the year when Varanasi truly seems like an abode of the Gods, not just of temples. Often known as the City of Light, Dev Deepawali is probably a manifestation of this very epithet.
Dev Deepawali in Varanasi Celebrations
The traditional plan of events for Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is quite elaborate and is followed religiously every year. The ceremony starts with the offering of prayers (Ganesh Vandana) and flowers to Lord Ganesh. This is followed by the offering of lit earthen lamps or diyas, known as deepdaan, by 21 Brahmins and 41 young girls with the chanting of Vedic mantras in the background. A lot of devotees take a dip in the river Ganges on this auspicious day, known as Kartik Snan. This ritual is believed to rid a person of his/her sins. Many households also organize Akhand Ramayan (chanting of the holy scripture, Ramayana) followed by Bhoj where food is offered to people.
Apart from having a religious tinge to it, martyrs are also remembered at the ghats. This is done by praying to Ganga Mata and by offering an aarti to her. This is organized by Ganga Seva Nidhi when wreaths are placed at Amar Jawan Jyoti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and also at the adjoining Rajendra Prasad Ghat by police officials, and also the members of the three armed forces. To mark this event, patriotic songs are also sung.
Ghats Are Lit Up With Diyas
Dev Deepawali is a spectacle worth beholding in Varanasi. Every ghat and temple in the Holy City is alight with earthen ghee diyas. Whether the stars have found their way down to the Earth or not, one can hardly say. It is believed that the Gods descend to Varanasi on this auspicious occasion to take a dip in the River Ganga. This is what makes this festival so popular. Tourists from all over the country flock to Varanasi during this auspicious festival. On the night of the main festival, thousands of people, locals and tourists alike, come to watch the spectacular and elaborate aarti at the river ghats. With thousands of diyas lit all over the place. The view is rather enchanting and magical, despite a large number of people.
The Ganga Aarti: The Culmination of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi
If you thought Vanares was the champion of Ganga Aarti, wait till you attend the Ganga Aarti on Dev Deepawali in Varanasi. The ghats are seen to be teeming with people from all over the country and the world, but the crowded Dashashwamedh Ghat is in no way devoid of excitement or enthusiasm. The Ganga Aarti you will see on the evening of Dev Deepawali is the most elaborate Ganga Aarti that is performed during the whole year..
You will soon grow tired of counting or imagining the sheer number of earthen lamps on the ghats and will be taken aback by the exquisite beauty of this particular evening in Vanaras. The evening aarti at Assi Ghat is the next hotspot for visitors to flock. Reeva Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Kedar Ghat and Panch Ganga Ghat should also be visited on the evening of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi.
Plan Your Travel to Varanasi for Dev Deepawali:
The reservations in Varanasi are made months before Dev Deepawali. However, if you're planning a trip, the best option would be to get to your bookings right away. As with most holiday destinations, the place may be packed, but you will love every bit of the experience. On the evening of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, get on a boat and savour the beauty of the ghats adorned with lights as far as your eyes can see. With Zostel (backpacker's hostel) in Varanasi, it has become even easier for Backpackers and solo travellers to find a good place to stay in Varanasi.
The city was designed in the shape of a bow, in keeping with the meandering River Ganga. Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is the time to see that bow lit to every last inch. If you're a haggler, get to the other side of the river on a boat and savour the beauty of all 84 Ganga Ghats of Varanasi lit like a fairy lantern. I promise you, Dev Diwali in Varanasi is an experience that you will never, ever forget!
Tour Summary
3 Days Dev Dipwali Varanasi tour is once in a year tour in India. Though Dev Dipawali is celebrated at all Hindu pilgrimages but its grandeur, coupled with people’s participation, in Varanasi, the oldest living city on the earth, keeps one spellbound. This Varanasi tour on the occasion of the Dipawali of the gods is a lifetime experience when all the ghats on the banks of River Ganga and Hindu temples get immersed in the light of innumerable earthen oil lamps. In order to experience the colorful cultural, religious and spiritual facets of Varanasi, Dev Dipawali is a perfect occasion. Since the ages, Kashi (Varanasi or Benares) is said to be cultural capital of India. Varanasi Dev Dipawali holiday package consists of ghats tour, temples tour, heritage walk, morning and evening boat ride in River Ganga, evening Ganga Aarti ceremony on Dashashwamedh Ghat and Sarnath trip. Recently, a luxury cruise liner Alaknanda has been introduced by the effort of the government and its services can be availed. In addition to these attractions, lively market and handicraft products of Varanasi are also explored. During the course of heritage walk tour, one can enjoy delicious cuisines of Varanasi. The Dev Dipawali Varanasi trip needs to be booked quite in advance as availability of hotel rooms during those days definitely remains an issue.
Day 1 Varanasi arrival – Dev Dipawali & Ganga Aarti trip
Dev Dipawali is a famous Hindu festival and celebrated in Varanasi in most fabulous way. On arrival at Varanasi airport / railway station, our representative will receive you and transfer to the hotel to unwind and relax. Late afternoon, attend Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat of Varanasi. Thereafter, board a boat to sail along the ghats of Varanasi, lightened by innumerable earthen oil lamps. A boat ride in the Ganga at the time of Dev Diwali offers a visitor a majestic view the city and its tastefully decorated monuments. The devotees gather on the ghats and float camphor lit on plant leaves in the Ganga. Later, in the evening, return to Varanasi hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2 Monrning boat ride – Heritage walk- Temples Tour & Sarnath visit
Day 2 Monrning boat ride – Heritage walk- Temples Tour & Sarnath visit The whole day is packed with exotic sightseeing and activities. Guided exploration of Varanasi commences since early in the morning. In order to understand the importance of Ganga in the lives of the people of Varanasi, you will be taken for early morning boat ride in the Ganga. It is a sort of spiritual journey into the mystic way of life in a Hindu pilgrimage. Observe devotees offering ‘arghya’ to God Sun, performing religious rituals and enjoying daily bath. The boat cruise provides opportunity to see various famous ghats – bathing, religious & cremation. After boat ride, the Varanasi tour guide will take you on a heritage walk in the old Varanasi. Heritage walk is primarily meandering through narrow alleys, leading to many famous temples like Vishwanath Temple and Annapurna Temple; and showcasing the traditional lifestyle of the people of Varanasi. Hereinafter, return to Varanasi hotel to refresh and have breakfast. Late monrning, proceed on temples tour of Varanasi that comprises Bharat Mata temple, Sankat Mochan (Hanuman) Temple, Manas Mandir,Durga Temple (Monkey Temple) and Birla Temple in BHU. Later on, you be taken on an excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath, one of the pilgrimages of the Buddhist, is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to the disciples in deer park. Among the prime tourist attractions at Sarnath are Buddhist temples of several nationalities, dilapidated monastery, Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa and archaeological museum. Having explored prime tourist attractions of Varanasi, return to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3 Departure
Day 3 Departure After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred in-time to airport / railway station. 3 Days Dev Dipawali Varanasi tour ends here.
