Dev Deepawali 2026 in Varanasi

What Dev Deepawali is

Dev Deepawali, the "Diwali of the gods", is celebrated in Varanasi on Kartik Purnima, the full-moon night fifteen days after Diwali. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 24 November. In the evening the ghats along the Ganga are lit with lakhs of clay diyas and special aartis fill the riverfront.

It is the busiest night of the year in the city, so a little planning makes a big difference.

How to plan the day

1. Book your stay early. The nights around 24 November fill first, and many guests stay two or three nights so they are not rushing on the day itself.
2. Head out by early afternoon. Traffic near the ghats is usually restricted that evening, so expect to walk the last stretch. Comfortable footwear helps.
3. Choose one stretch of ghats. Trying to cover everything in the crowd is tiring. Pick an area, settle in before sunset, and stay put.
4. Keep valuables minimal. Carry a small bag, some cash, a charged phone and a power bank.
5. Come back to quiet. After the crowds, it helps to return to a calm room away from the ghat noise.

Staying at Mahadev Niwas for Dev Deepawali

We are a family-run homestay with six ground-floor rooms in a quiet residential colony in Kamachha, 15–20 minutes from the ghats. That distance is why the colony stays peaceful even on festival nights.

• Five AC rooms with a private kitchen or kitchenette, and one budget fan room
• Self check-in from 12:00 noon, so you can drop bags and head out early
• Your host shares timings and routes for the evening
• Scooty rental: we can connect you with a local rental vendor

All rooms are booked through Airbnb. Prices for festival dates are higher than usual and some dates may have a minimum stay.

Questions