Varanasi Festivals Guide

✨ HIGHLIGHTS

• All 84 ghats lit with 10+ lakh diyas simultaneously

• Subah-e-Banaras — classical music at Assi Ghat at dawn

• Ganga Mahotsav — 5-day cultural festival at Sant Ravidas Ghat

• Boat rides with floating diyas on the Ganga

• Special aarti at every ghat with 100+ priests

⏰ TIMING

Evening aarti at 7 PM. Ghats lit from 6 PM to midnight.

🎫 BOOKING

Book hotels 2-3 months in advance. Boat prices 2-3x normal. VIP boat packages ₹3,000-6,000.

💡 TIPS

• Arrive 2-3 days before to explore decorated ghats in peace

• Book rooftop restaurant seats weeks in advance for aarti view

• Shared boat rides: ₹500-800. Private boats: ₹3,000-6,000

• Peak crowds — expect 5-10 lakh visitors on the main night

• Best viewing: Dashashwamedh, Assi, Panchganga ghats

✨ HIGHLIGHTS

• Special Mangla Aarti at Kashi Vishwanath — ₹1,800 ticket

• Shiv Baraat — massive processions through old city

• All temples open through the night

• Bhang and thandai special distribution

• Special pujas at every Shiva temple

⏰ TIMING

Mangla Aarti at 3 AM. Night-long celebrations.

🎫 BOOKING

Book hotels 1-2 months in advance. Temple queues 3-5 hours.

💡 TIPS

• Reach Kashi Vishwanath by 3 AM for Mangla Aarti

• Carry ID — strict security at temple

• Avoid bringing bags/electronics — lockers available nearby

• Dress warmly — February nights are cold (8-12°C)

✨ HIGHLIGHTS

• Classical music performances by legendary artists

• Bharat Natyam, Kathak, and folk dance shows

• Boat racing competitions on the Ganga

• Handicraft and textile exhibitions

• International cultural exchange programs

⏰ TIMING

Evenings 6 PM to 10 PM. Main stage at Sant Ravidas Ghat.

💡 TIPS

• Free entry for most events

• Combine with Dev Deepawali for a full experience

• Carry a mat or shawl for sitting

✨ HIGHLIGHTS

• Holy dip (snan) in the Ganga at sunrise

• Kite flying across the city — rooftops full

• Special sesame-jaggery sweets distribution

• Ganga aarti with special decorations

• Til-gul (sesame-jaggery) exchange tradition

⏰ TIMING

Holy dip at sunrise. Kite flying all day. Aarti at 7 PM.

💡 TIPS

• Reach ghats by 6 AM for holy dip

• Carry change of clothes

• Watch kite flying from rooftop cafes

✨ HIGHLIGHTS

• Holika Dahan — bonfire at Dashashwamedh Ghat

• Rangwali Holi — colors on all ghats

• Thandai with bhang at local shops

• Music and dance at Assi Ghat

• Lathmar Holi at Barsana (60 km from Varanasi)

⏰ TIMING

Holika Dahan evening before. Rangwali Holi 10 AM-2 PM.

💡 TIPS

• Wear old white clothes you don't mind ruining

• Apply oil on skin/hair before playing

• Keep phone/camera in waterproof bag

• Carry cash — many shops closed

• Avoid narrow lanes during Holi — colors flying everywhere

✨ HIGHLIGHTS

• Durga temples decorated with flowers and lights

• Ramnagar Fort Dussehra celebrations

• Ramlila performances across the city

• Special aarti at Durga Kund Temple

• Processions with decorated tableaux

⏰ TIMING

Temple aartis extended. Ramlila evening performances.

💡 TIPS

• Visit Durga Kund Temple during Navratri

• Ramnagar Fort Dussehra is a unique experience

• Carry flowers/prasad for offerings

✨ HIGHLIGHTS

• Holy dip at sunrise — believed to wash 10 sins

• Special aarti at all ghats

• Boat rides with flower offerings

• Religious processions through the city

⏰ TIMING

Holy dip at sunrise. Special aarti at 7 PM.

✨ HIGHLIGHTS

• Special puja at Nag Nathaiya Temple

• Snake-shaped sweets distribution

• Processions with snake charmers

• Special aarti at the temple

⏰ TIMING

Temple open extended hours. Special aarti at noon.