Kashi
Dev Deepawali — the festival of a million diyas on Kashi's ghats
Why Varanasi celebrates Kartik Purnima as Dev Deepawali, what happens on the 84 ghats, and the 2026 date and timing.
The festival
On Kartik Purnima, Kashi commemorates the gods' descent — Dev Deepawali. All 84 ghats glow with earthen lamps, and the Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh becomes a panoramic ritual. It falls 15 days after Diwali.
2026 date
Kartika Shukla Purnima falls on 23 November 2026; the main Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh runs approximately 5:15 PM – 7:45 PM (exact times depend on sunset in Varanasi — check the Panchang page for the city).
Visiting with intent
Arrive before sunset for the Sandhya Aarti band (the most potent ritual window of the day), use the Panchak avoidance rule for any travel planning, and consider a tour through Man Singh Observatory while in the city.