Dev Deepawali Varanasi 2026 Date: 24 November, Muhurat, Schedule, Best Ghats, Boat Booking & Travel Guide

Last updated: 5 October 2026  |  By: Your Travel Partner

Quick Answer

The Dev Deepawali Varanasi 2026 date is Tuesday, 24 November 2026. It falls on Kartik Purnima, the full moon night that comes 15 days after Diwali. On this evening, more than ten lakh earthen diyas are lit across the 84 ghats of the Ganga in Varanasi, followed by a grand Ganga Aarti, a laser show and green fireworks. The best time to light diyas is the Pradosh Kaal after sunset, which published panchangs give as about 5:08 PM to 7:47 PM.

Tithi and muhurat timings differ slightly from one panchang and city to another. Please confirm with your local panchang before fixing rituals.

Table of Contents

1. Why Is Dev Deepawali on 24 November in 2026?
2. Dev Deepawali Dates: Recent Years
3. What Is Dev Deepawali?
4. Hour-by-Hour Schedule for 24 November
5. What Is Planned for 2026
6. Best Ghats Compared
7. Boat Booking: What You Must Know
8. How to Do Deep Daan
9. Dev Deepawali vs Ayodhya Deepotsav
10. How to Reach and Traffic Rules
11. Where to Stay
12. A 3-Day Plan
13. Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
14. Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Dev Deepawali on 24 November in 2026?

Dev Deepawali does not have a fixed date on the English calendar. It is always celebrated on Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik. Because the lamps are lit in the evening, the festival is observed on the day when the Purnima tithi is present during Pradosh Kaal, the period just after sunset.

In 2026, the Purnima tithi begins late at night on 23 November and continues until the evening of 24 November. Since the tithi covers the sunset period on 24 November, both the Kartik Purnima snan and the evening lamp lighting fall on the same day: Tuesday, 24 November 2026.

Dev Deepawali Dates: Recent Years

What Is Dev Deepawali?

Dev Deepawali means "the Diwali of the gods". According to tradition, Lord Shiva destroyed the demon Tripurasura on Kartik Purnima, and the gods came down to Kashi to celebrate by lighting lamps on the banks of the Ganga. This is why the day is also called Tripurari Purnima, and why devotees believe the gods visit the ghats of Varanasi on this night.

The custom of lighting the ghats in an organised way is commonly traced to the late twentieth century, and it has since grown from a few ghats to the entire riverfront, from Ravidas Ghat in the south to Raj Ghat and Namo Ghat in the north. The main rituals of the day are:

• Kartik snan: a holy dip in the Ganga at dawn.
• Deep daan: offering lit lamps to Maa Ganga in the evening.
• Ganga Maha Aarti: a grand aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat and other ghats.
• Tribute to martyrs: a ceremony in honour of soldiers at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Hour-by-Hour Schedule for 24 November 2026

The official programme is released closer to the date. This timeline is based on the usual pattern of the day and the timings published so far. Use it to plan your day.

What Is Planned for 2026

• More than 11 lakh diyas across the 84 ghats, kunds, ponds and tanks of Kashi.
• About 1 lakh cow dung diyas, to promote an eco-friendly celebration.
• 3D laser show at Chet Singh Ghat and other major points, telling the story of Kashi and Lord Shiva.
• Green fireworks to reduce smoke over the river.
• Ganga Mahotsav from 20 to 23 November, a four-day cultural festival of music, dance and folk arts that leads up to Dev Deepawali.

These details are from announcements made so far. Check UP Tourism and the District Varanasi website for the final programme.

Best Ghats Compared

Good to know: the single best view of Dev Deepawali is from the river, because only from a boat can you see the whole curve of lit ghats at once.

Boat Booking: What You Must Know

Boat rides are the most searched part of this festival and also where visitors lose the most money. Keep these points in mind.

Rates on Dev Deepawali are many times higher than on normal days and vary widely from one operator to another. Treat these figures as a rough guide, not a fixed price list.

Before you pay

• Ask for the boarding ghat, reporting time and how long the ride lasts.
• Confirm that life jackets are provided for every passenger, including children.
• Ask how many people will be on the boat. Do not board an overloaded boat.
• Get the booking and cancellation terms in writing.
• Book well in advance. Good boats are taken weeks before the festival.
• The administration fixes rules for boat movement and capacity on this day. Boats may be stopped from moving during the aarti and fireworks.

How to Do Deep Daan

1. Buy earthen diyas, cotton wicks and oil or ghee from the stalls near the ghats.
2. Reach the ghat before sunset and find a safe spot on the steps.
3. Light your diya during Pradosh Kaal, after sunset.
4. Offer a short prayer to Maa Ganga and Lord Shiva.
5. Place the diya on the steps, or float it in a leaf bowl with flowers.
6. Do not use plastic or thermocol bowls. Keep the river clean.

Dev Deepawali vs Ayodhya Deepotsav

Many travellers confuse the two great lamp festivals of Uttar Pradesh. They fall 17 days apart in 2026, and you can see both in one season.

Read more in our guides to the Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 and the Ayodhya Diwali world record diyas. Ayodhya is about 200 km from Varanasi by road, so the two cities fit well in one trip. See the Varanasi to Ayodhya cab fare and distance guide.

How to Reach and Traffic Rules

• By air: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi, about 25 km from the ghats.
• By train: Varanasi Junction (Cantt), Banaras station and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. Book early on irctc.co.in.
• By road: From Ayodhya, Prayagraj or Lucknow, book an outstation cab.

On Dev Deepawali day

• The roads leading to the main ghats, such as the Godowlia to Dashashwamedh stretch, are usually closed to vehicles from the afternoon.
• Expect to walk one to two kilometres to reach the ghats.
• Leave your vehicle at your hotel or a designated parking area.
• Namo Ghat and Assi Ghat are generally easier to approach than the central ghats.
• Follow the traffic plan issued by Varanasi Police a few days before the festival.

Where to Stay

• Ghat-side guesthouses (Assi to Dashashwamedh): closest to the action, but they sell out first and are reached on foot through narrow lanes.
• Godowlia and Luxa: walking distance to the ghats, with many mid-range hotels.
• Cantonment and Sigra: larger hotels with parking, 4 to 6 km from the ghats.
• Sarnath side: quieter and often better value, but farther away.

Hotel prices rise sharply for this night and many properties ask for a minimum stay. Book as early as you can. For a planned trip with hotel and transport, see our Varanasi packages and Ayodhya and Varanasi tour packages.

A 3-Day Plan

Want to add Ayodhya and Prayagraj? See our Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi tour guide.

Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not arrive at 5 PM. By then the ghats are full and the roads are closed. Be in place by 3 PM.
• Do not confuse the date. Dev Deepawali is on 24 November, not on Diwali (8 November).
• Do not pay the full boat fare without written details.
• Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip. The steps get oily from the lamps.
• Carry a light jacket. Late November evenings on the river are cold.
• Keep phones and wallets in front pockets or a cross-body bag.
• Fix a meeting point for your group and put a contact slip in each child's pocket.
• Carry cash. Mobile networks slow down and digital payments can fail in the crowd.
• Be careful with loose clothing near the diyas.
• Wait before leaving. The rush is worst right after the fireworks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Dev Deepawali Varanasi 2026 date?

Dev Deepawali 2026 in Varanasi is on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, the day of Kartik Purnima.

2. Is Dev Diwali on 23 or 24 November 2026?

On 24 November. The Purnima tithi begins late at night on 23 November and covers the evening of 24 November, when the lamps are lit.

3. What is the muhurat for lighting diyas?

The Pradosh Kaal after sunset, about 5:08 PM to 7:47 PM as per published panchangs. Confirm with your local panchang.

4. How many days after Diwali is Dev Deepawali?

Fifteen days. In 2026, Diwali is on 8 November and Dev Deepawali is on 24 November.

5. Why is Dev Deepawali celebrated?

It marks the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura. It is believed that the gods come to Kashi on this night to celebrate on the banks of the Ganga.

6. How many diyas are lit on Dev Deepawali?

More than ten lakh. In 2024, about 11 lakh diyas were lit on the ghats, and more than 11 lakh are planned for 2026.

7. What time is the Ganga Aarti on Dev Deepawali?

The Maha Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is held in the evening, around 6:00 PM. Reach by 3:00 PM for a place.

8. Which ghat is best for Dev Deepawali?

Dashashwamedh for the grand aarti, Assi for families, Chet Singh for the laser show and Namo Ghat for easier access. A boat gives the best overall view.

9. Is there an entry ticket for Dev Deepawali?

No. Entry to the ghats is free. You pay only for a boat ride if you choose one.

10. How much does a boat cost on Dev Deepawali?

Advertised rates this season start at about ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 per person on shared boats and go much higher for cruises and private boats. Rates vary by operator.

11. When should I book a boat and hotel?

As early as possible. Good boats and ghat-side hotels are booked weeks in advance.

12. Where is the laser show held?

At Chet Singh Ghat, where the story of Kashi is projected on the fort wall. A 3D laser show is planned there for 2026.

13. What is Ganga Mahotsav and when is it in 2026?

It is a cultural festival of music, dance and folk arts held before Dev Deepawali. In 2026, it is planned from 20 to 23 November.

14. Is Dev Deepawali the same as Ayodhya Deepotsav?

No. Ayodhya Deepotsav is on 7 November 2026, one day before Diwali, on the Saryu. Dev Deepawali is on 24 November 2026 on the Ganga in Varanasi.

15. Can vehicles go to the ghats on Dev Deepawali?

No. Roads to the main ghats are usually closed to vehicles from the afternoon. Plan to walk the last stretch.

16. Is Dev Deepawali safe for elders and children?

Yes, with planning. Choose Namo Ghat or Assi Ghat, or a boat with life jackets, arrive early and avoid the central ghats at peak time.

Conclusion

Mark your calendar: the Dev Deepawali Varanasi 2026 date is Tuesday, 24 November. Book your stay and boat early, reach the ghats by 3 PM, light your diya after sunset and stay for the aarti, laser show and fireworks. If you can, pair it with Ayodhya Deepotsav on 7 November and see both great lamp festivals in the same season.

For cabs, hotels and Ayodhya and Varanasi trip planning, call or WhatsApp +91 78811 55800 or see our tour packages. Har Har Mahadev!

Official Links

• Uttar Pradesh Tourism
• District Varanasi
• All India Radio News: Dev Deepawali 2024
• IRCTC

Note: Muhurat timings, programme details and boat rates are based on information published so far and may change. Please confirm with a local panchang and official sources before travelling. Your Travel Partner is a private travel service.