Dev Deepawali in Kashi: the night the gods come down to the Ganga

Kartik Purnima, Tuesday, 24 November 2026. It falls fifteen days after Diwali every year.

It marks Shiva's victory over Tripurasura and the belief that the gods descend to bathe in the Ganga on Kartik Purnima. Kashi lights over a million diyas to welcome them.

Diwali celebrates Rama's return and is pan-Indian; Dev Deepawali is Kashi's own festival for the gods, fifteen days later, centred on the riverfront rather than homes.

Dashashwamedh for the full intensity, Assi for families, Panchganga for the tradition's heart, or a fixed-position boat for the longest view of the lit frontage.

The walk-up market runs from a few hundred rupees for a bargained shared seat to five-figure private packages, rising as the date nears. Book a fixed written price months ahead.

Be in place by 3 pm for the central ghats, 4 pm at Assi. Vehicles stop getting through from about 3 pm.

Yes. Deepdan is open to everyone; buy diyas and oil at the ghat-top stalls and any priest or volunteer will show you the offering.

They share the same day: Kartik Purnima is Guru Nanak's birth anniversary, so Sikh celebration runs citywide alongside the diya night.

Yes with planning: Assi Ghat or a boat, in place early, exit late after the crowd thins. The Dashashwamedh crush is not the place for either.

You can see the night in one evening, but the five days of Ganga Mahotsav before it and the pre-dawn snan are why people return. Six days is the honest recommendation.