Dev Diwali at Varanasi 2025: Best Time to Visit Ghats, Rituals & Travel Tips

Varanasi, the ageless spiritual city on the banks of the Ganges, turns into a glowing spectacle during Dev Deepawali (known as Dev Diwali). For the pilgrims, for the photographers, and for the travelers experiencing this event, it is a once-in-a-lifetime view of the ghats beautifully lit up by millions of lamps. If you are planning to attend your Dev Diwali at Varanasi in 2025, here is the entire guide – the timing, rituals, travel tips, and ways to make your trip smooth and meaningful.

1. What is Dev Diwali?

  Dev Deepawali (meaning “the Diwali of the gods”) occurs on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik (Kartik Purnima), fifteen days after regular Diwali. On this special night, it is said that the deities descend to bathe in the Ganga, and the local people light the steps of the ghats from Ravidas Ghat to Raj Ghat with diyas (little earthen lamps), do Ganga aarti, and release floating lamps into the water.  Lighting the ghats began in 1991 at Dashashwamedh Ghat by Pandit Kishori Raman Dubey (Babu Maharaj)

2. Dev Diwali 2025: Date & Timing

 

• Dev Diwali (Dev Diwali 2025) will take place in 2025 on 5 November (Wednesday). 
• The Purnima Tithi (full moon tithi) begins on 4 November at 10:36 PM and ends on 5 November at 06:48 PM. 
• As for evening Ganga aarti during Dev Deepawali, that typically occurs between 05:15 PM to 07:50 PM (approx.). 

Please be mindful that because this is a special and crowded occasion, there may be alterations in the schedule from what is listed, and adjustments may also be made by local authorities. So it’s best to double-check your local area once you arrive.

3. Best Time to Visit the Ghats (When to Be at the Riverfront)

  To maximize enjoyment of the spectacle of dev diwali banaras / dev diwali varanasi, be intentional about timing your ghat visits:

• Arrive early (afternoon or before sunset): Start at Assi Ghat or Manikarnika Ghat and walk along the water to Dashashwamedh and Raj Ghat.
• Prime time for lighting lamps: As dusk settles and the sun goes down, the ghats light up in a gradual haste. Try to be at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the vicinity of 5:30–6:30 pm to see the glow, and the synchronization of the deepdan (offering of diyas).
• Boat ride during/after aarti: To see the ghats lit up or the floating diyas on the water from the river is magical. Plan a boat ride (rowboat or motorboat) sometime after the aarti, so you can see the ahmadi and reflections on the water.
• Leave as the main event winds down: After the lights dim and the crowd disperses sometime after 8-9 pm or onward, you’ll have time to walk back, explore the quieter ghats in late night’s ambiance.

If you try to arrive only at night, you will miss the build-up to the event, the crowd dynamics, and the ambient transition from dusk to dark.

4. Rituals & Significance (What Happens & Why It Matters)

  Comprehending the significance of the rituals and ceremonies allows for a greater appreciation of the spiritual depth of the activities.

• Kartik Snan (ritual bath): On Kartik Purnima, thousands of people will participate in a ritual bath or snan in the Ganges River, believing that this ritual bath will cleanse their sins and cause their spiritual merit to increase. 
• Deepdan / Offering of Diyas: After nightfall on the night of Purnima, thousands of earthen lamps will be lit along the steps of every ghat, making the full length of the ghats, from the shore to the horizon, into a glowing stairway to heaven. 
• Ganga Aarti & Chanting: During the Ganga Aarti, priests will chant Vedic mantras and hold up sacred fire, and, adorned by drumming, faithfully worship the river as a mother goddess. 
• Tribute to Martyrs: At the Dashashwamedh Ghat, wreaths will be laid after commemoration at Amar Jawan Jyoti and other ghats by security forces, National Cadet Corps (NCC), and institutions in honour of martyrs, having had a “last post” ceremony as part of the acknowledgement. 
• Fireworks & Cultural Programs: After Ganga Aarti, fireworks will, with abandon, light up the sky, alongside the river, every evening, showcasing the festival. Cultural programs each evening include music, dance, & folk shows. 

The scope of the entire event is truly immense – it would be more than a million diyas (earthen lamps) lit in total over the nightfall of Kartik Purnima!  

5. Travel Tips & Planning Advice

  To ensure that you have the best possible experience at the Varanasi Diwali / Dev Diwali at the ghat, here are some tried and tested advice: 

(a) Arrival & Duration

• Consider arriving at least a day or two prior (e.g., on 4-5 November). This will give you a little time to acclimatize and settle in, check out the ghats and the logistics, and avoid the last-minute pressure. 

Also consider a 2-3 day experience, the ritual, socializing, from Varanasi’s culture, and a recovering experience after a crowded celebration. 

(b) Accommodation & Pre-booking 

• You will want to book accommodations as soon as possible; hotels near the ghats will fill up quickly. Book your accommodation at least 4-6 weeks prior to the celebration, and you’ll have better luck finding a place! 
• Try to book a guesthouse or boutique hotel close to Dashashwamedh, Assi, or Manikarnika ghats, so you minimize walking. 

Expect to pay a premium for accommodation during the high season. 

(c) Travel & Local Transportation 

• After a certain point, public vehicles will not be allowed near the ghats. Park in the appropriate lots, and then walk or take the e-rickshaws / cycle rickshaws. (or grab a rickshaw or auto in advance). 
• Add 30 – 45 minutes of walking or waiting, in case the people multiplier hits–to move between ghats. When moving between ghats, try to avoid the narrow lanes with bulky luggage; travel light in the evening. 

You can use the boats to move along the river, but choose your boarding time carefully and avoid too many boats competing for the launch points at the same time. 

(d) What to Bring & Clothing

• Dress appropriately and comfortably at all times, especially while visiting temples and religious places.
• Bring appropriate shoes for walking you will be doing adequate walking. (Like one visitor on Reddit said, “You will have to do a lot of walking … wake up early … keep buffer time”.) 
• Also bring your own water bottles, some snacks, a portable power bank, a torch/flashlight, and a small first-aid kit.

Having a light shawl or wrap is good to have if it gets chilly at night.  

(e) Safety & Etiquette

• Be cognizant of pickpocketing in crowded spaces.
• Be respectful of the practices of the local people, don’t step into a ritual site without permission, and don’t draw attention in any loud or rowdy way on the ghats.
• No plastic or unapproved items should be put in the Ganga, using biodegradable lamps in these situations is best if possible.
• Follow any instructions of local authorities, police, ghat committee, and volunteers.

Be alert of crowd dispersal when the ceremony is over be sure to move as a group if possible.

6. Suggested Itinerary & Ghats to Prioritize

 

Here is a sample flow to experience dev diwali banaras

Time	Activity	Suggested Ghats / Spots
Afternoon / Late Noon	Explore Varanasi temples and stroll along the ghats	Start at Assi Ghat, then move northward
3:30–4:30 PM	Begin walking along the riverfront	Manikarnika → Raj Ghat → Panchganga → Dashashwamedh
5:30–6:30 PM	Be at Dashashwamedh Ghat to watch the lighting of diyas	Dashashwamedh Ghat
6:30–7:30 PM	Main Ganga Aarti and Deepdan ceremony	Dashashwamedh and nearby ghats
7:45 PM onward	Take a boat ride for stunning river views of illuminated ghats	From the river — view Dashashwamedh and surrounding ghats
Post-aarti	Walk back and explore quieter ghats under the night lights	Bylanes, smaller ghats — peaceful late-night atmosphere

The Dashashwamedh Ghat is the heart of the spectacle, most intense lighting, rituals, and crowd.  Starting from Assi Ghat (south) and walking toward Dashashwamedh offers a grounded experience, seeing both preparations and build-up. 

7. Why You Shouldn’t Miss Dev Diwali (Highlights & Unique Appeal)

 

• The ghats illuminated by millions of diyas make for an unworldly sight. 
• The reflection on the river and the vantage from the boats create a stairway to heaven.  
• It is a truly sacred occasion with a combination of devotion, ritual, and culture – a real experience of Varanasi. 
• The occasion also attracts pilgrims and tourists, photographers, seekers, and festival-goers. 
• For those in the state of Gujarat (Ahmedabad, or surrounding area), it is a major contrast of culture, climate, and spiritual energy- a compelling reason to travel.

8. How Travel Agents from Ahmedabad Can Help Plan Your Dev Diwali Trip

  If you are considering visiting Dev Diwali in Varanasi from Ahmedabad, utilize travel agents who are experienced when the travel agents in Ahmedabad will create a seamless experience. The best travel to Varanasi in Ahmedabad will help you book your flights or trains, book secure hotel accommodations by the ghats or river, and create custom festival itineraries. Many travel agencies will also have their own Diwali tour packages, where they will arrange sightseeing, provide boat rides, and facilitate hosting of the aarti ritual. With the assistance of travel agents encompassing their support, authority of local knowledge, and organization, you can relish in the sacred essence of Diwali in Varanasi while eliminating the stress of travel arrangements, bookings, and timing.