Varanasi Fairs & Festivals
The city of Varanasi being rich in its cultural heritage and tradition is the cultural capital of India. The cultural life of this city of fairs, festivals and feasts is associated with river Ganges. Mainly the Festivals and Events of Varanasi is celebrated with religious fervor. Varanasi is one of the most famous pilgrimages for the Hindus. It is commonly believed that one who dies and is cremated in Varanasi gets liberated from the cycle of births and rebirths. Festivals and Events of Varanasi occurs all the year round because of its rich cultural heritage.
Dev Deepavali :
Dev Deepavali in Varanasi is celebrated in Varanasi with great devotion and dedication. This event is held on the full-moon day in the month of Kartik and is celebrated on the fifteenth day of Diwali. Through this festival people of Varanasi pay tribute to the river Ganges. Coinciding with Jain light festivals and Guru Nanak Jayanti on the Dev Deepavali the river Ganges is adorned beautifully with lights to welcome Gods on Earth.
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Buddha Purnima :
Buddha Purnima in Varanasi which is celebrated on the day of full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakh commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. Sarnath in Varanasi celebrates Buddha Purnima every year with great devotion. Buddhists all over India celebrate Buddha Purnima with great fanfare and feasts.
Bharat Milap in Varanasi is an annual celebration in the month of October or November. This festival is celebrated the day after Dussehra. It is held at Nati Imli, Varanasi. This festival commemorates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. People of Varanasi gather and enjoy in the streets with great pomp and enjoyment.
RAMLEELA – RAMNAGAR
The unique Ramleela of Ramnager performed in the pageant style, was started about 1830 by Maharaja Udit Narayan Singh of Banaras, and has today become famous the world over. Thousends gather to see the enactments during months of sep.- oct.
Check out our Special Ram Leela Tours Package
Dhrupad Mela
A five days music festival of Dhrupad is performed by renowned artistes at Tulsi Ghat. It is very popular among foreign tourists.
Sankat Mochan Music Festival
Every year on the ocasion of Mahavir jayanti there is 6 days indian classical music festival takes place at Sankat Mochan temple where world renown musician gather to perform their art for more information check out our Varanasi Music Tours Package
Nakkatayya (At Chet Gang)
Showing a story from Ramayan in which Surpanakha- the sister of Ravan- comes to entice Ram and then Lakshman. But Lakshman cuts her nose and she goes back crying. This act is enacted as a stage- play during mid oct. in the locality of Chetgung. Numerous processions and tableaux are also carried out on the occasion.
Mahashivaratri
On this day every Shiv Mandir is decorated. In Varanasi a marriage procession of Lord Shiva is taken out starting from Mahamrityunjaya Temple, Daranagar to Kashi Vishwanath Temple via Chowk.
Nag nathaiya leela
In a performance, Lord Krishana jumps into Ganga for Nag Nathan at the local Tulsi Ghat. It is famous as Nag Nathaiya Leela . Many people congregate to see this event, held during the months of Nov.-Dec.
Panch koshi parikrama
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.
Hanuman jayanti
Jannotsav of Lord Hanuman is celebrated at Sankat Mochan Temple for five days with cultural & musical programmes by renowned artistes from all over India.
Ganga mahotsav
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 excelent cultural programmes and country boat race, displaying of marital arts also takes place. The concluding day coincides with the unique traditional festival of Dev Deepavali (light festivel of Gods), when more than a million erthen lamps (Diyas) are lit on the Ghats of Ganga.