Diwali Festival in Varanasi – Experience the Divine Glow on the Ganges

Diwali Date 2025

Tuesday 21st October, 2025

About Diwali

Diwali, known as the festival of lights, is one of the most favorite and widely celebrated spiritual festivals in India. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. This festival usually falls in the months of October or November (Ashwin-Kartik) and is one of the most auspicious occasions in the Hindu religion.

In Hinduism , Diwali is celebrated on the new moon night (Amavasya) of the month of Kartik, while in Jainism, it marks the day of Lord Mahavira's nirvana. On this day, houses are beautifully decorated with colorful lights,flowers, rangoli colours, candles and earthen lamps filled with oil or ghee – symbolizing purity, prosperity and positivity.

People start the day by taking an early morning bath at home or in the river Ganga, followed by cleaning and purifying their homes to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits every house that is clean, bright and full of devotion.

Although the tradition of fireworks and firecrackers has become common in modern times, ancient celebrations were centered around spiritual rituals, lamps and sweets. Exchanging sweets represents sharing happiness, renewing relationships and embracing new beginnings. Families wear new clothes, perform Lakshmi-Ganesh puja, and celebrate together in happiness and harmony.

In Varanasi, one of the holiest cities of India, Diwali holds a divine charm. The ghats along the banks of river Ganga are illuminated with countless lamps, creating a mesmerizing scene during the Diwali celebrations along the banks of Ganga. The spiritual aura of the city makes it one of the best places to experience Diwali events in Varanasi.

History and Origin of Diwali

According to Hindu mythology, the origin of Diwali is deeply rooted in the stories of divine incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Whenever evil forces rise on earth, Vishnu takes human form (Avatar) to restore dharma. The light of the lamp symbolizes the joy of returning home after victory over evil – like Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan.

The lamps, made from traditional pottery, represent the eternal bond between divine light and human faith.

Astrological Predictions for Diwali 2025

While the entire day is considered sacred, astrologers often find the most auspicious time for puja. In 2025, Lakshmi and Ganesh Puja Muhurat will start from 05:36 PM to 06:16 PM, which will last for 40 minutes. Performing puja during this period is believed to bring maximum prosperity and blessings.

Diwali 2025 schedule in Varanasi

The grand Diwali celebrations 2025 will start from Saturday, October 18 and will continue for five days, culminating with Bhai Dooj on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The detailed schedule is given below:

1. Dhanteras – 18 October 2025 (Saturday)

Dhanteras marks the beginning of Diwali festivals. It is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari and symbolizes prosperity and good health. On this day, people buy symbolic objects like gold, silver, utensils or brooms to invite wealth and purity into their homes.

2. Chhoti Diwali (Narak Chaturdashi) – 20 October 2025 (Monday)

Also known as Hanuman Jayanti or Kali Chaudas, this day also celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna and Satyabhama over the demon Narakasura. This day is dedicated to removing negativity and bad energy from life. In Varanasi, preparations for grand Diwali events are at their peak as houses and temples are decorated with Lights, Diyas and Flowers.

3. Main Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) – 21 October 2025 (Tuesday)

The main festival of Diwali is celebrated on this day. Devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha seeking prosperity, wisdom and good fortune. In Varanasi, Diwali celebrations on the banks of the Ganga transform the river bank into a bright sea of lights. Thousands of lamps float on the sacred water, creating a divine reflection of devotion and joy. This is undoubtedly the best time to visit Varanasi for Diwali, as the spiritual energy is unmatched anywhere else in India.

4. Govardhan Puja (Padwa) – 22 October 2025 (Wednesday)

The fourth day, known as Govardhan Puja or Annakoot, commemorates the lifting of the Govardhan hill by Lord Krishna to protect the villagers from heavy rains sent by Lord Indra. Devotees prepare grand feasts and offer them to Krishna to express their gratitude. In Gujarat it is also celebrated as Gujarati New Year or Bali Pratipada.

5. Bhai Dooj – 23 October 2025 (Thursday)

The last day of the festival is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply tilak on the forehead of their brothers, praying for their long life and receive gifts in return. A lamp is lit towards the south to honor Lord Yama (god of death) and wish for his protection from untimely death.

Lord Ganesha is worshiped in Hindu religion

During Diwali, Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, is worshiped along with Goddess Lakshmi. As the god of knowledge and new beginnings, his blessings ensure success, harmony and prosperity. Together, Lakshmi and Ganesha represent wealth combined with wisdom – a perfect balance for a fulfilled life.

Dev Diwali in Varanasi - Grand Festival

The festivities in Varanasi do not end with Diwali. About 15 days after Diwali, Dev Diwali is celebrated in the city, an even more divine sight. It is believed that on this day the gods themselves descend to take a bath in the holy waters of the Ganges. Millions of lamps illuminate the ghats, making it one of the most enchanting spiritual festivals in India.

For travelers looking for a blend of devotion, tradition and beauty, Dev Diwali and Diwali events in Varanasi offer an unforgettable experience of divine light and human spirit coming together.

Diwali legends and mythological stories

1. Return of Lord Ram

According to Hindu mythology, when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravan, people lit lamps at home to welcome him. This act of lighting lamps represents the illumination of the soul after the victory of good over evil.

2. Story of Lord Krishna and Narakasura

According to another story, Lord Krishna along with his wife Satyabhama defeated the demon Narakasura on this day and freed thousands of imprisoned souls. Therefore, Diwali also celebrates the victory of divine light over ignorance.

3. Birth of Goddess Lakshmi

During Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Goddess Lakshmi appeared, bringing prosperity and good fortune to the universe. On Diwali, she is invoked to bring prosperity and peace to homes.

4. Return of Pandavas

It is described in Mahabharata that on the new moon day of Kartik, Pandavas returned home after twelve years of exile. His return was celebrated with lamps, marking another origin of the festival.

5. Jain tradition

For the Jain community, Diwali commemorates the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira, symbolizing spiritual liberation – the ultimate light that dispels ignorance and darkness.

6. Lord Krishna and Govardhan Mountain

Lord Krishna inspired the people of Gokul to worship Govardhan parwat, and saved them from the wrath of Indra by uplifting the hill on his little finger – it is a symbol of faith and gratitude, which is celebrated as Govardhan Puja.

7. Swami Dayanand Saraswati

On the day of Diwali, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj, attained Mahasamadhi, symbolizing the victory of truth and knowledge.

Rituals and Customs of Diwali in Varanasi

• Morning Ganga Bath: Pilgrims take a holy dip in the river to start the day as they believe it purifies the soul and brings blessings of Goddess Lakshmi.
• Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja: Families decorate their homes, prepare offerings of sweets and flowers, and sing hymns dedicated to both deities.
• Lighting lamps and floating lamps: As night falls, houses, temples and ghats are illuminated with rows of lamps and diyas. Floating lamps are released into the ganga river, symbolizing wishes offered to God.
• Diwali Crackers and Fireworks: Diwali is a festival of lights, sounds, worship and sharing gifts. A variety of crackers with safety levels are available to enjoy the Diwali. Children, young and old people enjoy Diwali fireworks and crackers. It is always advisable for people, especially children, to use crackers safely.
• Decoration and Rangoli: Colorful rangolis and marigold garlands and torans adorn the doors. In Varanasi, traditional Bandhanwar and Kalash are placed at the entrances to invite prosperity.
• Gift exchange: People exchange sweets, dry fruits, silver coins, idols and handicrafts and so many gifts thereby strengthening family and social bonds.
• Gambling practice: There is an age-old belief that playing dice is associated with Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, symbolizing prosperity for the coming year.

Environmental awareness and spiritual message

The excessive use of various fireworks and synthetic decorations in modern times has taken a toll on the environment. However, the true spirit of Diwali lies in inner illumination and compassion. Lighting the lamp symbolizes enlightenment within the heart – a reminder that the divine resides in every being.

The message of Diwali encourages purity of thoughts, respect for all life forms and harmony with nature. Avoiding pollution-causing activities and choosing eco-friendly methods of celebration is in line with the core philosophy of the festival – victory of light, not noise.

Why is Varanasi the best place to enjoy Diwali?

Among all the spiritual festivals of India, Varanasi's Diwali is unique. The combination of ancient rituals, the holy river Ganga and the divine ambiance creates a transcendental experience. The entire city becomes a temple of light – every street echoes with hymns, and every lamp becomes a prayer.

To witness the Diwali celebration on the banks of Ganga and subsequent Dev Diwali Varanasi is to witness the spiritual essence of India come alive – a confluence of devotion, history and divine beauty.

Best time to visit Varanasi for Diwali

The months of October and November are the best time to visit Varanasi for Diwali and Dev Diwali. The weather is pleasant, and the city hosts many Diwali events on the Ganga, including cultural programmes, Ganga Aarti ceremonies and local fairs.

Visitors are advised to book accommodation in advance, as pilgrims and tourists from all over the world gather in the city during this holy time. Holy Voyages can help you to get the best packages to visit Varanasi during Diwali and Dev Diwali.

An early morning boat ride, temple visit and attending the evening Ganga aarti provides an unforgettable spiritual experience.

Conclusion – Eternal Message of Light

Diwali in Varanasi is much more than a festival; It is a living tradition that connects humanity to the divine. This eternal truth teaches that darkness can never overpower light and righteousness ultimately triumphs.

When countless lamps illuminate the Ganga and chants echo on the ghats, one feels the beating of the spiritual heart of India. Dev Diwali Varanasi amplifies this divine glow – celebrating not only the gods but also the light that resides within every soul.

FAQs – Diwali Festival in Varanasi, India