Varanasi/Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is developing a four-day tourism experience around Dev Deepawali as part of its “Visit My State” campaign, bringing together Varanasi’s illuminated ghats, Kashi’s temple circuit, heritage walks and the Buddhist heritage of Sarnath.Observed on Kartik Purnima, 15 days after Diwali, Dev Deepawali is one of Varanasi’s most celebrated festivals, when the ghats along the Ganga are lit with thousands of diyas.The four-day, three-night itinerary, titled “Dev Deepawali: Divya Kashi Anubhav”, has been prepared by the Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation. It is designed to offer visitors a structured way to experience the festival while exploring Kashi’s wider spiritual and cultural landscape.Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh said the initiative aims to connect domestic and international visitors with the city’s living traditions.“Dev Deepawali is a celebration of Kashi’s ancient traditions and cultural splendour. Our effort is to help visitors experience its spiritual significance while strengthening Kashi’s distinctive identity on the global tourism map,” Singh said.The itinerary begins with a welcome at Varanasi airport or railway station, followed by hotel check-in, evening darshan at Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Ganga Aarti. The second day includes a morning boat ride on the Ganga, visits to the Vishalakshi, Annapurna and Kal Bhairav temples, and an excursion to Sarnath.Dev Deepawali is the highlight of the third day, with a special boat experience on the Ganga allowing visitors to view the illuminated ghats from the river and witness the festival’s decorations and cultural events. A heritage walk is also included in the programme.An official said organised itineraries could help expand the economic benefits of religious tourism for local communities.
