In Varanasi, every day is a celebration of the divine, but certain dates on the lunar calendar transform the city into a theater of light and sound. The festivals of Kashi are globally renowned for their scale, devotion, and adherence to ancient traditions.
Dev Deepawali: The Festival of Gods
Perhaps the most famous celebration in Banaras, Dev Deepawali happens on the full moon of Kartik. All 84 ghats are illuminated with millions of earthen lamps to welcome the gods who are believed to descend to earth for a holy dip.
Iconic Annual Festivals
- Ramlila at Ramnagar: The world's oldest and most authentic 'living' theater, lasting 31 days. It is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Maha Shivratri: The grand wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati. A massive wedding procession (Shiv Baarat) moves through the city to the Vishwanath temple.
- Bharat Milap: Celebrated at Nati Imli, it marks the emotional reunion of Lord Ram with his brother Bharat. It's famous for its precise 5-minute peak ritual.
- Nag Nathaiya: A re-enactment of Lord Krishna jumping into the Yamuna to subdue the serpent Kaliya, held at Tulsi Ghat.
Explore Fairs & Festivals (14)
Ramlila at Ramnagar
It was Sant Tulsidas who started Ramlila in Ramnagar. He was one of the most important poets in Hindi and is known for Ramcharit Manas, or the Story o...
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Nakkatiya
Nakkatiya is an important and historical festival of Varanasi, held in the month of October or November at Chetganj Varanasi. Nakkatiya is a Role of R...
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Bharat Milap
To attend the “Bharat Milap” is an important and historical festival of Varanasi, held in the month of October or November, a day after th...
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Shiv Barat
Varanasi is considered the city of Lord Shiva; Mahashivaratri festival holds immense importance here. Mahashivaratri (the great night of Shiva) falls ...
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Maha Shivratri
Varanasi is dotted with a large number of temples. Maha Shivratri in Varanasi is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva, the presiding deity in most of the...
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Nag Nathaiya (Tulsi Ghat)
Legend of the Nag Nathaiya: Nag Nathaiya festival was first started in the 16th century by the great saint Tulsi Dasa on the banks of River Ganges, no...
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Holi Festival
Holi is a festival of colors which brings a lot of happiness, joy and makes everyone’s life more colorful. People enjoy the festival of holi eve...
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Durga Puja
The Hindu Goddess Durga is the goddess of power and the mother of all female deities. For ten days, Durga tents and Shrines go up all around the city,...
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Kali puja
Mother Kali's statue was established in Pandey Haveli, Sonarpura, Bhelupura area of Banga Durgapuja Pandals in the city. A huge statue of Mother K...
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Nav Devi (Navratri)
Navaratri means nine nights, celebrated in the honor of Goddess Durga during nine nights and ten days. Nine forms of Devi Shakti are worshiped with pu...
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Panchkoshi Parikrama
Panch Koshi Parikrama is the most significant festival for women in India. It is said that Panch Koshi Parikrama completes only if someone visits all ...
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Kushti & Akhadas in Varanasi
Tulsi Akhara of Varanasi, in particular, is the most famous one and has produced many famous pehalwans (wrestlers) in the past and hence is also the m...
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Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Buddha. Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with traditional religious ferv...
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