Ghats of Varanasi host Ganga Mahotsav from 20 November
Published on 11/14/2026 at 11:09 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSFestival sequence and riverfront plans
- Ganga Mahotsav begins at Namo Ghat on 20 November 2026 under Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
- Dev Deepawali follows on 24 November 2026 with lamps across the ghats and a Maha Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
- Varanasi's riverfront preparations include a two-way boat system between Namo and Assi ghats.
Ghats of Varanasi and Ganga Mahotsav come together in Varanasi from 20 November 2026, when the four-day cultural programme begins at Namo Ghat. The event leads into Dev Deepawali on 24 November, when lamps will be lit along the riverfront. The ghats are the stepped public riverfront venues associated with the Ganges in northern India.
Ganga Mahotsav brings four evenings to Namo Ghat
Ganga Mahotsav runs from 20 to 23 November 2026, with a cultural programme scheduled for every evening at Namo Ghat. The dates and venue were confirmed during a review of preparations led by the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, with officials instructed to give priority to local artists.
The programme is being presented as the first part of a five-evening sequence. On 24 November, Dev Deepawali will follow, with lamps planned across the permanent ghats, the sandy riverbanks of the Ganges and more than 100 ponds in Varanasi. DD News reports the programme at Namo Ghat and the later lamp lighting at the ghats.
Dev Deepawali extends the programme along the ghats
The 24 November celebration will include a Maha Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. A projection and laser show is planned at Chet Singh Ghat, while drone displays are planned near Dashashwamedh and Assi ghats. A green fireworks display is also planned near Kashi Vishwanath Dham Ghat.
The riverfront arrangements connect the festival venues rather than treating them as one site. Authorities plan two-way boat movement between Namo and Assi ghats, with water ambulances, divers and rescue teams included in the preparations. The plan also divides the riverfront into zones and sectors, while a special cleanliness drive is scheduled from 20 to 25 November.
Varanasi links the festival to a wider heritage calendar
The place is part of Uttar Pradesh's official cultural calendar. The state government's NRI Department lists Dev Deepawali in Varanasi and identifies Ganga Mahotsav as a festival organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism. That institutional connection places the November programme within a recurring state-supported cultural framework rather than an isolated commercial excursion.
The timing also gives the riverfront a clear sequence for visitors. Namo Ghat is the named venue for the four cultural evenings, while the 24 November religious celebration reaches across the permanent ghats and adds named activities at Dashashwamedh, Chet Singh and Assi. This relationship between one main venue and several riverfront locations is the practical distinction between Ganga Mahotsav and Dev Deepawali. Uttar Pradesh lists both festivals among its events.
Visiting Ghats of Varanasi: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Ganga Mahotsav takes place at Namo Ghat from 20 to 23 November 2026, with a cultural programme planned for each evening.
- Dev Deepawali follows on 24 November 2026, with lamps at the ghats and a Maha Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat; the announced plans also include displays at Chet Singh and Assi.
- The riverfront arrangements include two-way boat movement between Namo and Assi ghats, while cleaning is planned from 20 to 25 November 2026.
- Varanasi is in India, where Hindi is an official language and the national currency is the Indian rupee. Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Ghats of Varanasi
When does Ganga Mahotsav take place at Ghats of Varanasi?
Ganga Mahotsav runs from 20 to 23 November 2026 at Namo Ghat, with a cultural programme planned each evening.
Where is Ghats of Varanasi and how do you get there?
The ghats are on the Ganges riverfront in Varanasi, India. The announced festival arrangements name Namo, Assi, Dashashwamedh and Chet Singh ghats.
What is Ghats of Varanasi?
It is the collective riverfront of stepped public ghats in Varanasi. In November 2026, the area forms the setting for Ganga Mahotsav and Dev Deepawali.
