Dev Deepawali in Varanasi 2025
Travelling to Varanasi during Dev Diwali? Here is a complete guide on how you can make your trip not only successful, but also enjoyable. If you are travelling to Kashi during this festive season, be assured of getting into the crowded chaos of the city. We have highlighted the top 7 reasons why you cannot miss this day in Kashi, the Spiritual hub of India. Alongside, you can also browse through the history of this festival, the exact date and timing of this festival, and tips for the best experience in Varanasi during Dev Deepawali. You can hire a local taxi in Varanasi with Chiku Cab to comfortably enjoy the beauty of this city during the festive season.
You will witness the iconic boat races, classical music and dance performances, along with the bright bazaars with food stalls and a range of handicrafts and other products in Banaras ki Galliyan.
What is Dev Deepawali?
Unique to Varanasi, Dev Deepawali is the celebration of Diwali by people to honour the Gods, especially Lord Shiva, for safeguarding the Universe. Dev Deepawali, or the Diwali of Gods, is a celestial event, believed to be the exact day when Lord Shiva killed the demon, Tripurasura. People celebrate this festival by lighting millions of Diyas, usually dated to 15 days after Diwali, on Kartik Purnima. It marks the last day of the Ganga Mahotsav, which celebrates the sacred Indian river, the Ganges, and showcases the spiritual and cultural heritage of the ancient city of Varanasi, also known as Kashi.
The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department takes care of all the arrangements, making this event a GRAND Celebration in Varanasi. You can witness a range of cultural events and programmes for entertainment and learning in different parts of Varanasi during these festive seasons. Only celebrated in Varanasi, you cannot miss your trip to Varanasi during the Dev Deepawali celebrations.
Dev Diwali 2025: Date, Timing and Ritual Highlights
This year, Varanasi celebrates Dev Deepawali on the evening of Wednesday, November 05, 2025. Every year, Dev Diwali is celebrated on the Karthik Purnima, which falls exactly 15 days (according to the lunar calendar) after Diwali. The timing is usually after sunset, after 6 PM.
- Take a Holy Dip in the Ganges on Kartik Purnima
It is believed that taking a bath in the Ganga River on this auspicious day purifies the soul. You can donate money to a charity or feed some stray dogs for spiritual merit.
- Ganga Aarti on Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat
Watch the Ganga Aarti (6 PM onwards) from the ghats or the boat ride on the Ganges for a memorable moment during the Dev Deepawali celebrations.
- Floating Diyas on all the 84 Ghats
Starts at 6 PM, you can enjoy watching the shimmering and glimmering lights all over the ghats and the river.
- Chet Singh Ghat Laser Show near Shivala
Starts 7.30 PM onwards, you can enjoy a beautiful laser show at the Chet Singh Ghat, which is near Shivala and Harishchandra Ghats.
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Corridor Laser Show at Lalita Ghat
Showcasing the culture and history of Varanasi, you can visit the Lalita Ghat for a mesmerising laser show from 7.45 and enjoy a great time with your loved ones.
History and Significance of Dev Diwali
Let’s now learn in detail about the story linked with the festival of Dev Deepawali, which is described in the following lines.
Defeat of Tripurasura by Lord Shiva
Tripurasura – A trio of three brothers in the Asura (Demon) clan, whose names were Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali and Kamalaksha, got blessed by Lord Brahma to be all-powerful. However, Lord Shiva destroyed them on the Tripurari Purnima. As Banaras is believed to have been established by Lord Shiva himself as the oldest city in the world, the people of Varanasi are highly devoted to Lord Shiva. Since Mahadev defeated Tripurasura, the victory of the truth of virtue over the zest of evil is celebrated by lighting up millions of Diyas (lamps) in the ghats of Varanasi.
Enjoy beautiful, eco-friendly fireworks and hundreds of drones that fly in the night sky, as priests pray to Lord Shiva to celebrate the celestial event and to protect humanity with his divine protection.
Adinath, the First Jain Tirthankara, Delivers His First Sermon on Kartika Purnima
The day of Kartik Purnima holds a special value in Jainism. Since Adinath (Rishabhdev) gave his first sermon to his followers, after sanctifying the Shatrunjay hills in Palitana. Hence, Jains start their pilgrimage to the Shatrunjay Hills on Kartik Purnima, marking the end of the chaturmas. The pilgrims often walk barefoot to climb the summit, while some visit Varanasi to the Parasvanath Temple, Bhelupur, Sri Suparshwanath Digambar Jain Mandir and the Janmabhoomi, all located near the ghats of Varanasi, near Bhelupur and Shivala.
Top 7 Reasons to Visit Varanasi during Dev Deepawali
Hence, we have highlighted some of the best reasons to visit the City of Lights on the occasion of Diwali this year, making your trip enjoyable with your loved ones.
- Enjoy a GRAND FESTIVAL in the heart of India:
Dev Deepawali is celebrated with great pomp and show in Varanasi. Not only the ghats, but also the homes and temples are brightly lit by Deepak (oil lamps). Kashi Vishwanath Temple, home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, is beautifully illuminated with lights and diyas to make it look brighter and more beautiful than ever.
- Best Season to Visit Varanasi:
Dev Deepawali, celebrated in November every year, is the most important and holiest festival for this iconic ancient city, especially because Varanasi is the only city hosting it. In addition, there is also a laser show at the Vishwanath Corridor Ghat, which illuminates and enhances the aura of the site. Nevertheless, Varanasi accepts tourists throughout the year. However, the summer temperatures may soar as high as 48 degrees Celsius, while the monsoons flood the North Indian plains. Hence, the tourists are advised to visit during the colder months, from October to March, for the best experience in Kashi.
- Enjoy Birdwatching:
Heaven for solo travellers, couples and a small group of family/friends because you can observe thousands of birds flocking from miles away to escape the frigid winters of Europe. It is highly recommended to enjoy birdwatching during the winter, which features a range of migratory bird species, including Gulls, Pintails, as well as Shelducks, among others. This beauties the city further, making your trip truly divine and picturesque.
- Don’t Miss the Tasty Malaiyo:
One of the most popular delights, native to Varanasi, you cannot skip Malaiyo on your trip to Kashi this year. It is made for only 3 months in a year, by churning milk overnight, with the absorption of fresh morning dew, which is possible only in the winter. Served in earthen pots, it is blended with saffron and topped with dry fruits, and it melts in your mouth as soon as it goes in. So taste the best from the popular Malaiyo shop in Varanasi, Mishra Malaiyo near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Shreeji Sweets in the Chaukhamba area.
Another fact about this delight is not only its taste, but also its highly nutritious value, especially due to Lohe Ki Kadhai (Iron Vessel), which naturally fortifies the milk of Malaiyo with iron.
- Evening Boat Rides:
Get an unmatched view of the Ghats from the boats. Trust me, I didn’t know the value of a boat ride in Varanasi until I did it. While the Dev Diwali illuminates the city beautifully, you can enjoy the dark evenings beautifully lit in a range of colours from a distance from the mighty Ganges. Enjoy a breathtaking view from the river, suggested to hire a small rowing boat for a chill experience. The best time for a boat ride is during the evenings, especially during the Ganga Aarti, primarily on the Dashashwamedh Ghat.
- Heaven for Photographers, Reel Creators and Videographers:
Varanasi is already a heaven for photographs, especially the 84 Ghats of the oldest city. However, during the celebration of Dev Deepawali, you can fly drones to take stunning clips of the city with an aerial view, which obviously gets viral on social media sites like Instagram. Moreover, you can also enjoy the evening boat rides and take pictures and videos for your social media handles. Hence, if you love photography/videography/content creation, you cannot miss the trend of Varanasi.
- Get the most affordable cab services with Chiku Cab for Luxury Travel:
Want to travel around the top places to visit in Varanasi luxuriously? Get an affordable taxi with Chiku Cab’s mobile app and get discounts and offers on your rides. You can easily hire the cheapest taxi service in Varanasi, as well as in almost all the major cities of India, with a few clicks, well in advance, with the Chiku Cab app.
But why choose Chiku Cab?
Made with love in Varanasi, Chiku Cab is one of the fastest-growing cab companies in India. Choose from a range of Sedans, SUVs and Tempo Travellers, based on your requirement for one-way and round-trips for outstation, along with the cab booking for local sightseeing and airport transfers. Here are some of our services summed up in a few bullet points.
- 24/7 Customer Support and Bookings
- Services in over +1000 Indian Cities
- Regular Discounts, Cashback and Offers on your rides
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So what are you waiting for? Dial 844-844-5504 and book your ride within minutes with Chiku Cab – India’s most trusted car rental company.
Visit Kashi – The City of Lord Shiva from Popular Cities with Chiku Cab
You can easily hire an outstation cab from Varanasi with Chiku Cab and travel to some of the popular routes to Varanasi, which include:
- Lucknow to Varanasi Road Trip
- Ayodhya to Varanasi Taxi
- Kanpur to Varanasi Cab
- Prayagraj to Varanasi Taxi
- Gorakhpur to Varanasi Cab
Apart from the above routes, Chiku Cab also offers comfortable airport pickups and drop-offs from the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, located in Babatpur (VNS), approximately 26 km from Shree Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Reach out to our customer support to learn more.
Best Tips for First-Time Visitors of Dev Diwali Varanasi
Finally coming to Kashi, the land of Lord Shiva, to celebrate Dev Deepawali in 2025? Here are some of the top suggestions to make your trip enjoyable and divine in the Spiritual Capital of India.
- Book your hotels and cabs in advance to avoid last-minute rush, as Varanasi is unusually overcrowded during the Dev Deepawali festival celebrations. However, with Chiku Cab, you can book a local taxi in Varanasi for sightseeing without unnecessary price surges due to very high demand.
- Arrive a few days early to avoid traffic congestion and to enjoy the city better when it is a little less crowded.
- Enjoy a small boat ride, where you can hire a trusted musician for added fun on the boats, which is best for romantic couples, solo trips and for a small group of family and friends.
- Dress Modestly and Be Respectful: Understand that cultures differ, especially in India, and one thing that is appropriate at a place might be very inappropriate or offensive in other parts. So a special tip for (female) foreign travellers is to dress in decent attire.
- Keep your valuables safe, especially in the crowd, to avoid theft.
Lastly, carry your camera if you love photography, as you will find many picturesque sites in Varanasi on your trip. For instance, in 2024, last year, the Ghats of Varanasi were lit by around 1.7 million (17 lakh) diyas, with over 4 lakh diyas in the other parts of the city. Varanasi also hosted an eco-friendly green firecracker show in front of Kashi Vishwanath Dham to promote sustainable celebration, along with many cultural performances.
Final Words
Varanasi will celebrate its iconic Dev Diwali on Wednesday, November 05, 2025. We tried keeping this guide as detailed while being concise to help make your Dev Deepawali in Varanasi a unique trip. Enjoy a range of activities as the top things to do in Varanasi. For instance, boat riding, birdwatching, local street food, photography/videography/content creation/drone shoots and much more. Simply hire a taxi with Chiku Cab for all your travelling needs to make your journey comfortable, convenient and hassle-free in almost all the major cities of India, including Varanasi.
FAQ for Dev Deepawali
- What are some of the top things to do in Varanasi on Dev Diwali 2025?
Some of the best things to do on Dev Deepawali in Varanasi this year include boat riding, trying out local delicacies like Malaiyo, enjoying watching eco-friendly fireworks, birdwatching and photography/videography, among other activities.
- When is Diwali celebrated in 2025 in India?
Diwali, the victory of light over darkness, will be observed on October 21st, 2025. The 5-day celebrations of Diwali begin on October 18th for Dhanteras, while Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on 23rd October this year. Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya of the lunar calendar, which is on Monday, 21st of October.
- What is the date of Dev Deepawali in Varanasi?
Dev Deepawali 2025 will be celebrated in Varanasi on the 5th of November this year. However, it is recommended to visit Varanasi earlier as the prices and availability of transportation widely vary around the festive seasons in the City of Lights.
- Is Dev Deepawali worth visiting?
Yes. Visit Dev Deepawali with your loved ones only in Varanasi. Considered as one of the major festivals of Kashi, you can witness a range of activities that day. From bustling shops in the narrow lanes of Varanasi to beautifully illuminated ghats, the scenery is mesmerising.
- What is the schedule for Dev Deepawali?
This year, Dev Deepawali will be celebrated on November 05th, 2025, on Tripuri/Tripurari Purnima, popularly known as the Kartik Purnima.
With 7+ years of experience as a professional content writer, I specialise in blog and academic content writing. For me, writing is simply more than my profession—it’s a journey of self-discovery through spiritual exploration and soulful expression, often inspired by music and mindfulness.
