Dev Diwali 2025: Date, Significance, and Celebration Guide

Dev Diwali is the glorious Hindu Festival celebrated in Varanasi dedicated to the God, therefore it is also known as the Tripurari Purnami. It is believed that the festival is in memory of Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasura and the birth of Lord Kartik, a day before the Hindu Gods are believed to plunge to earth to take a holy dip in the Ganga. After that, every year, devotees are believed to take a dip in the Ganges to make it one of the auspicious festivals of the year, and then light up millions of earthen diyas across the numerous Ghats of the Kashi, temples, and boats to create the grand extravaganza. To make the evening more mesmerizing, it is glaring with the Ganga Arti, cultural performances, and other traditional rituals with a huge gathering of delegates, artists, and tourists. Every year, the festival is celebrated in Kashi after 15 days of the popular Hindu festival Diwali across the Ganga Ghats. If you are planning to fly to Kashi to witness the mesmerising Dev Diwali 2025, then here is the complete guide with highlights, tips, and attractions to make your trip memorable. Check the complete blog post.

Why is Dev Diwali celebrated?

Dev Diwali is one of the unique festivals celebrated in Kashi by devotees after 15 days of Diwali in honour of Lord Shiva for protecting the universe by killing the demon Tripurasura. However, there are multiple stories linked to the grand celebration of Dev Diwali; thus, to know more about the history and diverse significance of the auspicious Dev Diwali festivals, let's take a look at the following information.

1. Fictitious Significance: Undeniably, one of the major mythical significances for celebrating the Dev Diwali festival is connected with Lord Shiva's protecting the Universe from Demon Tripurasura. As per the beliefs of the dietes, Lord Shiva had killed the Tripurasura on the Kartik Purnima, and after that, in gratitude, devotees light up millions of diyas across the Ghats and take a holy dip in the Ganga, and the tradition is still continuing.

2. Lord Kartikay's Birth Anniversary: In several regions of Varanasi, people celebrate Kartik Purnima or Dev Diwali as one of the spiritual days, as it is observed as the day when Lord Shiva and Parvati, the son of Lord Kartikey, were born. Therefore, on the Auspicious day, numerous devotees perform traditional rituals and also offer prayers dedicated to Lord Kartikey.

3. Kartik Snan: The Auspicious day, Kartik Snan, also holds the importance of a ritual bath in the holy river Ganga, specifically during the Kartik month; however, the Kartik Snan is performed on the day of Kartik Purnima. Dietes performed this Snan to purify their Sins and also to bring sacred eminence.

4. The First Jain Thirathankara: For the Jain community, Kartika Purnima holds exceptional significance because Adinath gave his first homily to his followers after gratifying the Shatrunjay hills in Palitana. On this propitious day, fanatics walk barefoot to climb the summit or offer prayers and religious activities, whereas some devotees visit Kashi Jain temples like Parasvanath Temple, Bhelupur, Sri Suparshwanath Digambar Jain Mandir, and the Janmabhoomi.

Spotlights Rituals and timings of the Dev Diwali Celebration:

If you are planning to witness the devotional event Dev Diwali 2025 with your family, then make sure to prepare notes of some highlighted Rituals and timings of the Dev Diwali Celebrations to capture some breathtaking moments and bring spiritual extravaganza. The following data shows some main highlights of the grand event.

• Temple celebrations and diyas lamp Timings: In 2025, Kashi is ready to celebrate Diwali on 05 November, 2025, on the day of Kartik Purnima, exactly after 15 days of the great Hindu Festival Diwali. Usually, the celebration starts during Sunset, usually after 6 pm.
• Contemplating the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti on Assi Ghat or Dashashwamedh Ghat: Around 6 pm, thousands of diyas lamps across the Ghats and priests chant mantras simultaneously, which shows the spiritual splendour and also the main highlights of the event.
• Take a holy dip in the Ganga: Devotees believed that taking a plunge into the Ganga River on this auspicious day would purify the souls and it will wash away devotees' sins.
• Seeing millions of Diyas light up across the Ghats: Every year on the day of Dev Diwali, millions of Diyas are lit up by devotees, priests, and tourists across the Ghats. Besides that, to honor Lord Shiva, devotees also perform deepdaan of 11, 21, 51, and 108 diyas. This is one of the major highlights of the event to witness the shimmering and glimmering lights around all 84 Ghats.
• Fireworks Bursts over Ganga: To add more magic to the Dev Diwali celebrations, colourful fireworks light up in the Sky that reflect on the Ganga river. Thousands of tourists visit Kashi to witness this breathtaking event, as boats are filled with enthusiasts to observe the timed sequences from the Ghats.
• Experience the Kashi Vishvanath Temple celebrations: To add more spark, one can visit the Kashi Visvanath Temple to witness the breathtaking celebration with extended Aartis and Pooja ceremonies. Millions of devotees lined up in the queues to offer prayers as part of the evening ritual.
• Cultural events: Numerous cultural events are organised, including Music, dance, fireworks, and religious gatherings around the Various Varanashi Ghats.
• Beautiful Laser show: Tourists and devotees can also enjoy the beautiful Laser show that starts at 7:30 pm onwards at the Chet Singh Ghat, which is located nearest to the Shivala and Harishchandra Ghats.
• Laser show at Lalita Ghat: You can also enjoy the laser show at Lalita Ghat to see the culture and history of Varanasi. Therefore, the show starts from 7:45 pm onwards and is perfect to enjoy with your family. 

Dev Diwali Boat Ride:

To witness the unrealistic views of the Ghats of Kashi with countless lit-up diyas, tourists are recommended to take the boat ride to enjoy the spectacular view from the River. Significantly, the best time to capture the incredible view is during sunset, when the various ghats are brightened up with millions of Diyas and when the most auspicious Ganga Arti is performed and fireworks are set off under the sky that perfectly reflects in the river. 

1. Boat Timings: 

There are numerous boats available during the evening at various Ghats of Varanasi, but if you want to witness the iconic Dev Diwali celebration, with Diyas lit up and fireworks from the River, then make sure to book the boat ride in advance, as there are millions of devotees visiting Varanasi across the Globe to witness the incredible celebration. Here is the list of the best times for a boat ride for Diya Lightning.

• For Diya, lightning on the Ghats: 5:30 pm to 6:20 pm.
• For Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat: 7 pm to 7:45 pm.
• For Fireworks and cultural programme: Post 7:45 pm.

2. Types of Boat Ride available:

Varanasi offers various types of Boat ride options during normal days and especially during the Dev Diwali festival, some of the major ones are listed below.

• Public Boats: Public Boats rowboats are considered to be cost-effective, but they remain crowded due to effective pricing. Although the prices are approximately INR 400 per person, the charges may be higher, especially on Dev Diwali. 
• Private Rowboats: Private Rowboats are the premium version that offers a slower and personalized experience. Significantly, the price ranges for private Rowboats are from INR 800 to INR 2000 per boat, depending on the boat, negotiation, and demand. 
• Private Motorboats: Private Motorboats are faster, which ensures covering more boats in a shorter time. Private Motorboats range from INR 1500 to INR 5000 per boat.
• Double-deck Cruises: Double-deck Cruises are premium boats with seating and offer refreshments. It is best to choose to enjoy an elevated view of the festivities, and the prices start from around INR 3000.

Places to experience Dev Diwali in Varanasi:

There are numerous places to experience the ultimate view of Dev Diwali in Varanasi that one should add to their itinerary to make the trip memorable. Here you will discover the list of the best iconic places to enjoy Dev Diwali in Varanasi in the following data.

1. Dashashwamedh Ghat:

One of the major ghats of the Dev Diwali celebration is the Dashashwamedh Ghat that attracts a huge crowd for the grand Diyas lightening event, Ganga Aarti, and spectacular Fireworks. Several priests perform traditional rituals with seashells, incense, and lamps; therefore, to see the ultimate view, travellers visit the ghats earlier to secure the best spot or take the best boat spots for the spectacular view. However, to manage the massive crowd, the place has strict security arrangements with multiple checkpoints and barricades. 

2. Assi Ghat:

During the auspicious occasion of the Dev Diwali, Assi Ghat becomes the ultimate hub for cultural activities that hosts various programs, including classical dance/music performances, poetic recitals, community-led events, diya lighting, and more. Mostly, young travellers prefer to visit Assi Ghat to see the unreal bright landscape of diyas; therefore, Volunteers from local colleges and organisations participate to manage the logistics and huge crowd. While the Assi Ghat is not as super crowded as the Dashashwamedh Ghat. 

3. Rajendra Prasad Ghat:

Rajendra Prasad Ghat is located behind the Dashashwamedh Ghat, which usually works as an overflow zone, and it also ensures to provide the ultimate view of Aarti and Fireworks without the limelight potency. Even though numerous local brings their own diyas to join the event significantly, this Ghat can be the best choice to visit to experience the Dev Diwali festival without affecting the limelight and with enough breathing room.

4. Chet Singh Ghat:

Chet Singh Ghat was constructed in the mid-18th century, and it is one of the popular ghats because of its magnificent Chet Singh Fort Backdrop. Besides, it is one of the prime ghats during Dev Diwali, where travellers can experience the surreal view of Banaras during the popular Dev Diwali. Most photographers visit the location to capture the contrasting angles and architectures; however, it remains crowded as compared to the main Ghats.

5. Scindia Ghat:

Scindia Ghat of Kashi is renowned for its beautiful half-merged Shiva temple and slightly pop-up location, as well as during the auspicious occasion of Dev Diwali, the Ghat comes under the spotlight with diya lightening up carefully placed around the bases and its edges. Although it doesn't perform large-scale rituals, it still attracts a massive crowd.

6. Panchganga Ghat:

The old ritual of lighting up the Diyas on the day of Kartik Purnima began at the Panchganga Ghat in 1985 to start the grand festival celebration of Dev Diwali. The Ghat is connected to the five mythological rivers, which is why it is considered a more spiritual location, especially during the occasion of Diwali, and the space fills quickly. The Ghat performs the calming rituals, occasional chanting, and several traditions.

Tips to remember before visiting for Dev Diwali:

To make the trip experience smooth, travellers should consider following a few tips before visiting Kashi for Dev Diwali, as listed in the mentioned information.

• To prevent last-minute chaos, travellers should consider visiting Varanasi at least a day before Diwali as the city is full-packed, so the best time to reach the city is early morning.
• It is highly recommended to book the stay in advance if you want to stay nearest to the Ghats, due to the massive crowd, there are chances that you might not end up getting a suitable hotel room at an affordable price.
• To witness the full, spectacular view of the lights, one should start walking from Assi Ghat towards the Dashashwamedh Ghat; therefore, the stretch is a total of 4km.
• To grab the best spot at the popular dedicated Ghats during Diwali, travellers are recommended to reach the Ghat by 3:30 pm.
• To avoid paying extra charges, it is best to make the boat bookings in advance, especially if you want to book the private boat to get the ultimate view.

Conclusion:

Dev Diwali 2025 will be celebrated on 05 November 2025, which is one of the most popular and auspicious festival celebrations of Varanasi, which has been witnessed by millions of devotees, travellers, and priests across the Globe every year. During the event, one can witness the brightening of Diyas and the spiritual Ganga Aarti performed at the multiple Ghats of the city. To make the trip experience wonderful, start planning your trip using the above given comprehensive guide to find out about the highlights, best places to experience the ultimate view of Dev Diwali, and boat ride details.