Uttar Pradesh is developing a four-day tourism experience around Dev Deepawali in Varanasi under its “Visit My State” campaign. The initiative brings together the city’s illuminated ghats, temple circuit, heritage walks and the Buddhist heritage of Sarnath. Titled “Dev Deepawali: Divya Kashi Anubhav”, the four-day, three-night itinerary has been prepared by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation to help visitors explore the festival alongside Kashi’s wider spiritual and cultural attractions.
Observed on Kartik Purnima, 15 days after Diwali, Dev Deepawali is among Varanasi’s most celebrated festivals. The occasion sees thousands of diyas illuminate the ghats along the Ganga, creating a distinctive spectacle that attracts visitors to the holy city. The new itinerary aims to provide a structured travel experience combining the festival’s religious significance with Varanasi’s cultural heritage and established pilgrimage attractions.
Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the initiative seeks to connect domestic and international visitors with the city’s living traditions. He described Dev Deepawali as a celebration of Kashi’s ancient customs and cultural splendour, adding that the programme aims to showcase its spiritual significance while strengthening the city’s identity on the global tourism map.
The itinerary begins with visitors being welcomed at Varanasi airport or railway station, followed by hotel check-in. The first evening includes darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Dham and attendance at the Ganga Aarti. On the second day, visitors can take a morning boat ride on the Ganga before visiting the Vishalakshi, Annapurna and Kal Bhairav temples. The schedule also includes an excursion to Sarnath, known for its association with Buddhist heritage.
The third day centres on Dev Deepawali, with a special boat experience on the Ganga allowing visitors to view the illuminated ghats from the river and witness the festival atmosphere. The programme places the riverfront celebrations at the heart of the experience, offering visitors an opportunity to appreciate the scale and visual appeal of the annual festivities from the water.
Through the “Visit My State” campaign, Uttar Pradesh aims to package Varanasi’s major cultural and spiritual attractions into an organised tourism experience. By combining temple visits, river excursions, heritage exploration and the Dev Deepawali celebrations, the itinerary seeks to encourage visitors to explore more of the city beyond the festival itself. Further details of the itinerary’s remaining activities were not included in the available information.