On Dev Deepawali, the full-moon night of Kartik, every ghat of Banaras is lined with lakhs of earthen diyas, and the whole riverfront glows from end to end. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 24 November. This guide covers the date, the best ghats, how to get a boat, the crowd and traffic rules, and how to plan your day.
At a glance
DateTue, 24 Nov 2026
Diyas litFrom sunset (~5:15 PM)
Best viewFrom a boat
EntryFree on the ghats
Book hotelAs early as possible
In this guide
Dev Deepawali 2026 date and time
Dev Deepawali is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, 15 days after Diwali. Most panchangs put it on Tuesday, 24 November 2026. The diyas are lit at dusk, and the ghats look their best from about 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
A few calendars give 25 November, because the Purnima tithi spans two days. Check a Kashi panchang or local news a week before you travel.
| What | When (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Kartik Purnima holy dip | Early morning, from before sunrise |
| Diyas lit on the ghats | Sunset, around 5:15 – 5:45 PM |
| Grand Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh | Evening, after the diyas are lit |
| Best time to see the ghats | 5:30 – 8:30 PM |
Why the gods celebrate Diwali in Kashi
According to tradition, Lord Shiva destroyed the demon Tripurasura on Kartik Purnima, which is why he is also called Tripurari. The gods came down to Kashi to celebrate the victory and lit lamps on the banks of the Ganga. Banaras still celebrates it as the Diwali of the gods.
Best ghats for Dev Deepawali
- Dashashwamedh Ghat: the grandest Ganga Aarti of the night, and the most crowded spot. Arrive by 3 PM if you want a place to sit.
- Assi Ghat: a little calmer, with a festive, local feel. A good starting point for a boat ride.
- Namo Ghat and Raj Ghat: open spaces at the northern end, beautiful when the diyas are reflected in the river.
- Chet Singh, Darbhanga and Kedar Ghat: some of the most photographed stretches of diyas and decoration.
- The far bank (the sand side): from here you can see the whole crescent of lit-up ghats in one view.
Seeing it from a boat
The best view of Dev Deepawali is from the river, where you can see kilometres of diyas at once. On this night boat fares go up several times over, and good boats are booked days in advance.
Book through your hotel or a trusted boatman a few days ahead. Agree on the fare, the route (for example Assi to Raj Ghat and back), the timing and the number of people before you pay. Big motor boats and bajras are steadier and safer than small rowing boats in the crowd.
Please note: Make sure everyone on the boat has a life jacket, and don't board an overloaded boat, however good the deal sounds.
A one-day plan for Dev Deepawali
- 1Early morning: Kartik Purnima snan
Join the holy dip at sunrise, or simply watch it from the steps of Assi or Dashashwamedh.
- 2Late morning: darshan
Visit Kashi Vishwanath early; the queues grow longer through the day.
- 3Afternoon: reach your spot
Roads to the ghats close from the afternoon, so be at your ghat or boat point by 3 – 4 PM.
- 4Evening: diyas and aarti
Watch the diyas being lit at sunset, then the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh, from the steps or a boat.
- 5Night: walk back slowly
Walk along the ghats once the crowd thins, and leave the old city on foot; autos are hard to find.
Crowd, traffic and safety
Lakhs of people come to the ghats on this one evening. The police usually stop vehicles from going towards the ghats from the afternoon, so expect to walk 1–3 km. The lanes near Godowlia and Dashashwamedh get extremely crowded.
Carry
- Comfortable shoes
- A light shawl; November evenings by the river get cool
- Water and a small snack
- A charged phone and a power bank
- Your hotel's name and address saved offline
Not allowed
- Heavy bags or valuables
- Pushing towards the front at aarti time
- Letting small children out of your hand
- Getting on an overloaded boat
Where to stay and when to book
Hotels near the ghats fill up weeks before Dev Deepawali, and prices around these dates are much higher than usual. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Staying near Assi, Shivala or Dashashwamedh means you can walk to the ghats. If those are full, Lanka, BHU and Sigra are good options; just plan to walk the last stretch.
Tip: Arriving a day early (23 November) lets you see the decorations being set up and avoid the worst of the traffic.
Frequently asked questions
When is Dev Deepawali 2026 in Varanasi?
Dev Deepawali 2026 falls on Kartik Purnima, Tuesday 24 November 2026, according to most panchangs. Confirm with a local panchang a week before you travel.
What is the best time to see Dev Deepawali?
From sunset to about 8:30 PM, when all the diyas are lit and the Ganga Aarti takes place. Reach the ghats by 3 – 4 PM.
Is there an entry fee for Dev Deepawali?
No. Watching from the ghats is free. You pay only for a boat, and boat fares are much higher than usual on this night.
How is Dev Deepawali different from Diwali?
Diwali is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya (8 November in 2026) in homes across India. Dev Deepawali comes 15 days later on Kartik Purnima and is celebrated mainly on the ghats of Kashi, as the Diwali of the gods.
