Famous Fairs & Festivals
Varanasi: An Ancient City On The Earth
Varanasi: An Ancient City On The Earth
The 'Diwali of the Gods' is celebrated on Kartik Purnima, 15 days after Diwali. The 84 ghats of Varanasi come alive with millions of earthen lamps (diyas) floating on the water and placed on the steps. It is believed that Gods descend to Earth to bathe in the Ganges on this day, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of light and devotion.
Celebrated with great grandeur, Mahashivratri marks the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. A massive wedding procession (Shiv Baraat) starts from Mahamrityunjaya Temple to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, attended by thousands of devotees, saints, and artists playing drums and blowing conch shells.
This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Buddha with traditional religious fervour. A large fair is held at Sarnath and the relics of the Buddha are taken out for public display in a procession on this day.
Celebrating Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his reunion with his brother Bharat, this festival is held the day following Dussehra. Attended by the Kashi Naresh resplendent in regal finery, the festival attracts a large number of devotees.
It has a special importance in the ancient Parikrama of India, starting and finishing at Manikarnika Ghat. Each Parikrama passes through five places: Kardmeshwar, Bhimchandi, Rameshwar, Shivpur & Kapil Dhara.
Ganga Mahotsav, the tourism festival of Varanasi is celebrated every year from Prabodhani Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima in the month of Oct.-Nov. The festival celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Varanasi. Apart from the excellent cultural programmes and country boat race, displaying of martial arts also takes place. The concluding day coincides with the unique traditional festival of Dev Deepavali (light festival of Gods), when more than a million earthen lamps (Diyas) are lit on the Ghats of Ganga.